The transcript of the speech is at the link: http://spectator.org/blog/2011/01/12/full-text-of-obamas-remarks-at
There were gaudy “Together We Thrive” T-shirts, the adoring crowd leapt to its feet for a standing ovation, and there was a cheesy photo-op afterward. It was a pep rally; the only things missing was a mascot. Obama likes to give campaign speeches on college campuses; the (generally) younger audience is usually more malleable and receptive to claptrap. Obama was in full campaign mode. He injected politics into the very speech that was supposed to avoid the subject.
Much of this process, of debating what might be done to prevent such tragedies in the future, is an essential ingredient in our exercise of self-government.
Sheriff Clarence Dupnik had the chance. Jared Loughner was arrested several times, kicked off his college campus for threatening people, and was known around town for being a bat-shit crazy lunatic. Dupnik knew this, but blamed Tea Party “rhetoric”.
But at a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized – at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do – it’s important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds.
That polarizing discourse was initiated by you and your campaign staff. “If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun”, “I want you to argue with them and get in their face”, “If you misrepresent what’s in the plan (ObamaCare) we will call you out”. Pelosi and Reid ratcheted up the rhetoric during the ObamaCare debate calling opponents “Evil mongers” and “Un-American”. You wrote the fucking book on polarization.
For the truth is that none of us can know exactly what triggered this vicious attack. None of us can know with any certainty what might have stopped those shots from being fired, or what thoughts lurked in the inner recesses of a violent man’s mind. ……And if, as has been discussed in recent days, their deaths help usher in more civility in our public discourse, let’s remember that it is not because a simple lack of civility caused this tragedy [– it did not –] but rather because only a more civil and honest public discourse can help us face up to our challenges as a nation, in a way that would make them proud.
*Note*: Obama inserted the “it did not” himself. It was not written into the original text.
According to Obama’s media pals, Loughner channeled Sarah Palin. They have yet to heed his advice for “civility”. Obama set the tone, he should stop it.
As we discuss these issues, let each of us do so with a good dose of humility. Rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame….
The bodies of the victims weren’t even cold when the Left started pointing fingers at people who had nothing whatsoever to do with Loughner’s rampage. Your disingenuous “civility’ speech is too little, too late. You should have made a stronger statement, but face it, you share the same mentality as the media. Now, compare the gravity and the sincerity of the following speeches to your lame attempt:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa7icmqgsow&feature=]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa7icmqgsow&feature=
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MDFX-dNtsM&feature=]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MDFX-dNtsM&feature=
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXBswFfh6AY&feature=]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXBswFfh6AY&feature=
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB6zEJexJEU]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB6zEJexJEU
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YLLbLwUsHI]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YLLbLwUsHI
They were real Presidents; leaders who understood the duties and responsibilities of the office. They stood behind their decisions and made no excuses. In the face of tragedy and war, they showed guts, integrity, courage, and genuine love of country.
All the character traits Obama lacks.
My thoughts and sympathy go out to the victims and their loved ones. They deserve better than a vicious MSM blaming innocent people, and a “commander-in-chief” not worthy of the office or up to the task.
Related post:
http://sfcmac.wordpress.com/2011/01/13/on-obamas-trip-to-the-arizona-memorial-service/