January 13, 2011

Obama Presidential in Tucson

Marc Comtois

President Obama's remarks at the memorial service in Tucson were exactly what was called for. His tone was spot-on and he displayed leadership by reminding us all that there isn't always a simple explanation for tragedy.

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.

So yes, we must examine all the facts behind this tragedy. We cannot and will not be passive in the face of such violence. We should be willing to challenge old assumptions in order to lessen the prospects of violence in the future.

But what we can’t do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on one another. As we discuss these issues, let each of us do so with a good dose of humility. Rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame, let us use this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy, and remind ourselves of all the ways our hopes and dreams are bound together.

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Well done, Marc.

Posted by: michael at January 13, 2011 10:02 AM

Kudos

Posted by: Bob at January 13, 2011 1:40 PM

Aside from being President,he's a father of two daughters speaking to a room with the parents of a young girl who'd been murdered,so it had to affect him as a person,because whatever else,he's undoubtedly a good,loving father.
He left the politics at the door and did a good job for the people directly impacted by this.

Posted by: joe bernstein at January 13, 2011 3:42 PM
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