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Arizona memorial service diminished by Team Obama’s pep rally T-shirts
Last night, President Obama delivered a wonderfully crafted address to the nation (full transcript here). His words were well-written and spoken with the right tone. It was a fine performance. He honored those who were wounded and killed, as well as those whose heroic actions mitigated the tragedy. We saw, for a brief instant, the kind of moving speech that landed an unqualified Barack Obama in the Oval Office.
“These men and women remind us that heroism is found not only on the fields of battle. They remind us that heroism does not require special training or physical strength. Heroism is here, in the hearts of so many of our fellow citizens, all around us, just waiting to be summoned -– as it was on Saturday morning. Their actions, their selflessness poses a challenge to each of us. It raises a question of what, beyond prayers and expressions of concern, is required of us going forward. How can we honor the fallen? How can we be true to their memory?You see, when a tragedy like this strikes, it is part of our nature to demand explanations –- to try and pose some order on the chaos and make sense out of that which seems senseless. Already we’ve seen a national conversation commence, not only about the motivations behind these killings, but about everything from the merits of gun safety laws to the adequacy of our mental health system. And 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.
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 happen to think differently than we do -– it’s important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we’re talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds.”
Unfortunately, Obama’s words about “honoring the fallen” were upstaged by crass campaigning. The grave and somber nature of a memorial service was marred by Team Obama’s efforts to brand this crisis with a “Together We Thrive” logo and free souvenir t-shirts. Governor Jan Brewer was even booed by some in the crowd (so much for the President’s message of unity). Why was this moment turned into a presidential pep rally?
Yes, I know that the University of Arizona created the props and got everything set up, but since Teh Lightworker is already planning his reelection campaign, you can’t tell me for a moment that David Axelrod and Team Obama didn’t preview and approve every nuanced detail of last night’s performance. This was too much political theater and not enough memorial. Another crisis that didn’t go to waste.
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UPDATE: Many others found last night’s political circus to be more than a little unseemly.
Serr8d described it as “A political pep rally where a Memorial service broke through. Somewhere in the background. If you looked hard enough, you could grasp that a Memorial Service was…nearby.”
Michelle Malkin asks, “Will there be giant foam fingers and blue cotton candy, too?”
Proof Positive notes the inappropriate use of the word “thrive” in Obama’s branding; “The families of the dead may thrive again one day. But not now. Not today. The wounded and traumatized may flourish at some future time. But not now. Not today.”
Cassy Fiano paid attention to Obama’s reaction to the crowd during his speech; “Not once did he ask for solemnity or respect. Instead, he basked in the blow of the fawning adoration he’s undoubtedly missed since being elected.”
Say Anything notes Obama’s belated message of civility; “Oh, really? Where were you with this message four days ago? You jumped all over the Cambridge cops who arrested Professor Gates, before you had all the details, saying they ‘Acted stupidly’. Want to weigh in on any of the liberals who ‘acted stupidly’ in assigning blame and linking this tragedy to Sarah Palin? Didn’t think so. In fact, you called one of the head miscreants, Sheriff Dupnik (capital ‘dupe’), to thank him in spite of his politically motivated and baseless slurs and slandering of conservatives.”
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UPDATE: One more thing — and I just can’t let this one slide; during his speech, President Obama disingenuously implied that his visit with Gabrielle Giffords caused her to open her eyes “for the first time.”
“I have just come from the University Medical Center, just a mile from here, where our friend Gabby courageously fights to recover even as we speak. And I want to tell you — her husband Mark is here and he allows me to share this with you — right after we went to visit, a few minutes after we left her room and some of her colleagues in Congress were in the room, Gabby opened her eyes for the first time. (Applause.) Gabby opened her eyes for the first time. (Applause.)Gabby opened her eyes. Gabby opened her eyes, so I can tell you she knows we are here.
Apparently, Mr. Obama believes his own messiah schtick as fully as the crowd did. Because it was already reported on Sunday that Giffords was able to open her eyes. The Sonoran Chronicle had reported this on January 9, The Tucson Sentinel reported it on January 11. This portion of Obama’s speech was blatant emotional manipulation.
Hopefully, Congresswoman Giffords will continue her miraculous recovery without excessive publicity. And the rest of the nation can take a deep breath and move on to the serious business at hand.
Posted by FullMetalPatriot
12th gen. American, Constitutionalist, Harley-riding Texan, gun owner & NRA member, blogger, illustrator, Florida Gator alumnus. #TCOT
12th gen. American, Constitutionalist, Harley-riding Texan, gun owner & NRA member, blogger, illustrator, Florida Gator alumnus. #TCOT
A shameless whore
A good post on a tasteless media rally.
I can't wait for November, and I'm not talking about deer season either.
You did a good job with this one. I watched the SOB and I couldn't believe anyone would act the way he did. Obama has enough hubris for three rap stars and Oprah.
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