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I'm sure anyone who covers politics was looking at Wednesday's memorial service in Tucson and wondering how Barack Obama would perform. Would he continue the barrage of attacks against conservatism as others in the media and on the left had done? Would he be distant and cold as he has been in so many speeches? Or would he actually get it right? Those were the thoughts on my mind. I didn't give much consideration to the "event" itself, and yes, it turns out that "event" is a more fitting word than "service."
To his credit, Obama said the right stuff, mostly. He delivered an unscripted updated on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords which brought the crowd to its feet.
Obama quoted from the Bible, saying, "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day." Obama also presented mini biographies of the victims which helps turn them into "real people" for all of us who didn't know them personally.
Obama also called for calm and an end the the blame-game:
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.
After all, that's what most of us do when we lose someone in our family - especially if the loss is unexpected. We're shaken from our routines, and forced to look inward. We reflect on the past. Did we spend enough time with an aging parent, we wonder. Did we express our gratitude for all the sacrifices they made for us? Did we tell a spouse just how desperately we loved them, not just once in awhile but every single day?
What I think surprised many, including myself was the nature of the service. The phrase "pep rally" has been used to describe it. In many ways, it was like a political rally without the politics. It had t-shirts, and it had a theme: Together, We Thrive.
Fox News' Brit Hume described his reaction this way:
"I just wanted to add, I think the president prepared this speech in the expectation that this would be indeed a memorial service," Hume said. "I think it ended up being nothing of the kind. This was much more of a pep rally and perhaps that is precisely what the people of Tucson and the people of this region needed and wanted. And it really was the case that the audience was in control of the tone of this event. The audience's reaction to the president and to the earlier speakers, and to some of the earlier speakers as well - set the tone for the event. The president prepared his speech to have a certain kind of tone. I think he would have liked it not to go on for 36 minutes or whatever it did, but it was interrupted repeatedly by applause but he couldn't help that. It was longer, as Chris [Wallace] pointed out, some of the other events on similar occasions."
John Hayward, writing for Human Events, described the service as "two events in Tucson." Hayward adds, "One of them was a memorial service for the dead and wounded from Jared Loughner's rampage on Saturday. This event went quite well. The other was an embarrassing political pep rally, held before a mob of rowdy kids."
The undisciplined audience was bad enough to provoke criticism from observers across the political spectrum, and that leads to some questions. It is said that the event organizers cannot be blamed for the behavior of the crowd. Is that really true? They staged this thing like a pep rally, complete with rush-week T-shirts bearing the rock-concert name of the event, "Together We Thrive." Organizers could have prepared the crowd by insisting on silence during the speeches, and making sure the kids understood the gravity of attending a memorial service that would be viewed by the entire world.
Kudos to President Obama for delivering remarks that were made to heal... not heal a constituency or voting bloc, but all of us. The crowd, however, should have had some kind of clue what a memorial service is all about. In addition, t-shirts and themes were not necessary in order to pay tribute to those who were killed. This is about honoring the fallen, not promoting a concert.
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January 13, 2011 @ 9:10 am
The atmosphere is too weird for me especially the crowds.
I dont mean to rude or nasty, but am I wrong to ask, what is wrong with these people?? Last night was supposed to be a memorial service. Should there not be respect shown for the deceased and their families, and the keep the pep-rally mentality at home for now??
January 13, 2011 @ 9:23 am
This was used by Democrats as a propaganda event to push their agenda and continued demonetization of republicans and guns. Nothing new with their behavior, they remain the lowest form of life on Earth.
IMPEACH OBAMA NOW!
January 13, 2011 @ 10:46 am
Message for onewildman; and others.
Obama cannot legally be impeached. Only an eligible president can be impeached. An ineligible person in the oval office, such as Obama, can only be removed if a federal judge or court declares him or her ineligible. Don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen because judges/courts keep saying only Congress can do that. And don’t count on the Republicans in the House doing it because they do not have the courage. The Democrats ignored the people for two years. Now it seems its the Republicans turn to ignore us. Congress will not investigate until so many people demand it that they HAVE to investigate, whether they want to or not. I don’t see that happening soon, either.
January 13, 2011 @ 11:00 am
To pypypypy & onewildman, your comments are right on. It seems that every event our so called president attends is deemed to be an opportunity to campaign. It’s sad that the current occupant of the white house is so shallow. T-shirts and themes were completely out of line. The organizers of this event should be ashamed of themselves.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
January 13, 2011 @ 11:16 am
My thoughts, exactly Dave.Rock. There was a huge disconnect between the President’s speech and actions/crowd.
Since the President spent 2 days working on his eulogy, I would have thought his organisers would have told/informed him about the “event/theme for the evening”. If you are the President, and giving the eulogy, would you not have at least asked about the evening?
Inappropriate and crass. He should have put a stop to it.
January 13, 2011 @ 1:26 pm
You have no idea how many people share your expression of amazement in the “pep-rally” type theater that surrounded the event. You felt the atmosphere “weird” and I felt the atmosphere so inappropriate…that it was embarrassing.
January 13, 2011 @ 1:33 pm
A no holds-barred political PEP-RALLY no less, T-shirts, and a political theme…for a memorial service?!?? A shameless use of a tragedy to score political brinkmanship collateral for the future. And the far left continually states that the conservative right is the problem …
It’s absolutely clear that Obama has begun his 2012 campaign for the WH with the complete supoort of the braindead dimobots.
January 13, 2011 @ 2:03 pm
Impeachment is just an indictment not a verdict. Any official can be impeached. The senate votes on the verdict (removal).
January 13, 2011 @ 2:29 pm
Hello……….the parents of the students in this audience are no doubt predominately liberals, judging by the amount of cheering and applause. The parents brought their young up by the permissive method………..don’t ever correct them or tell them what is inappropriate, it might somehow warp the little darlings. I am appalled that we have a whole generation of people (and many of their parents as well) who know absolutely nothing about the decorum expected by decent caring people at a memorial event. To their credit, there were two people from Obama’s administration who did seem to have had some religious training and to know what was appropriate in this venue. Thank you Eric Holder and Janet Napolitano for observing the proper decorum in your remarks at this event.
January 13, 2011 @ 6:37 pm
That was exactly my reaction. Those people in the audience must have been mostly students. They acted more like they were getting ready for the Super Bowl than at a memorial service. No, you’re not being rude or nasty at all. This is a sad commentary on the state of our young people today. No clue as to appropriate behavior.
January 15, 2011 @ 10:23 am
1) Entirely disrespectful to call this memorial service a pep rally; look at all the plans ahead of time to insure it was handled as such;
2) No, you can bring him to impeachment but the Senate has to give the “yeah” verdict that is the breakdown. What needs to happen, and each one of you commenting as the 112th is ignoring us is right on target (Boehner beleives he is eligible and there is so much proof otherwise, why is he ignoring this), we have the right to DEMAND and have it DONE, Nullification of the 2008 Presidential election. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands now, that have DEMANDED this from our legislators and they are Republicans – we are being ignored!
3) Yeah, he reads from the Bible when it is convenient, cancels the National Day of Prayer that was brought to reality by Reagan and then turns around and worships with over 50,000 Muslims on the OUR HOUSE’s lawn for their National Day of Hatred! He bows to a Muslim King, he embarrases us everywhere he goes and if he takes his wife, the embarrassment is quadrupled…they both are a mess … like I said in the Campaign, he is nothing more than a thug, a Marxist and has used everyone he can to gain the ownership of America and we do not stand up and when we do stand, our legislators ignore us…………..time for another type of Tea Party to oppose in mass, to march in mass upon DC.
Reading Trail of Tears by Ehle, you will see exactly what is going on today; it is scary for the government won; then read Ostler’s The Lakotas and the Black Hills, it is government takeover of the Indian and their lands through intimidation. The government actually, after a treaty was signed (of which they did not understand because they could not read English), took away 50% of the promised beef bringing starvation to the Indians because they wanted to keep their lands that had already been given to them to live on…here is a quote within this book after the Indians and their counsel tried to get their lands back: June, 1975, Court of Claim dismissed the claim on grounds of res judicata; “the court agreed the government’s actions in memorable language: ” A more ripe and rank case of dishonorable dealings will never, in all probability, be found in our history”..nonetheless, the Indians got an unfavorable decision. Corruption and bribery were instrumental all through the onslaught of ridding the nation of the American Indian. In today’s world all you hear about is how badly we treat the Muslims, how we misunderstand them, they are a religon of peace…my foot they are…read the Koran…then we hear about how badly we have treated the blacks, Michelle trying to sue the USA for maltreatment of her g.g.grandfather/mother; the illegals because we do not want to support them and their anchor babies…not one word about the mistreatment of the American Indian. Go to Pine Ridge and see the devastation, see the reality that the poor, the elderly often do not have enough to eat nor wood to keep warm in the severe winters..come to Ethete where three of our young were killed…nothing to do but drink and do drugs while the administrator there has a “cush” job. Go over to Ashland and see the numbers of Indian children either abused or abandoned that they try to feed; go to Chamberlain and see the job they try to do ……..I could go on and on..unless you see, unless you work within and try to help…one cannot possibly believe…
They gave us rotten lands in most states…we have made them work and able to support our families better and able to send some of our youth to higher education, which is no more than liberalism at its finest, now, because we have figured out how to have a better life, they have broken the treaty/agreement that our monies would not be taxed that are founded/received on the reservation itself.
January 13, 2011 @ 9:34 am
Before this event even started I was horrified that they had themed it. You don’t “theme” a memorial service. Call it what it is.
Holding it at the University in their basketball stadium was another mistake. It should have been held at the convention center. By holding it at the UofA it immediately signaled to the crowd less formal.
T-shirts? Really? REALLY?
I will credit Obama with at least being uncomfortable with the crowd’s reaction. The only appropriate time for “cheering” were for Daniel, the 3 folks who disarmed and subdued the gunman and for the news of Gabby opening her eyes.
But the Obama administration cannot let an opportunity to sensationalize something pass. Hopefully they will learn from this mistake and stop capitalizing on marketing every little thing.
There is a time for somberness and a time for celebration. Last night was a time for somberness.
January 13, 2011 @ 9:35 am
Forgive me for not being at all charitable, but Obama has done nothing But lie to us all since the day he took office. Obama uses biblical quotations from time to time to keep the zealots happy but he is as insincere as he has ALWAYS been. He would have some credibility if he practiced what he preaches but the only thing he knows how to do is pander to Muslims and the indigent. He could care less about We, The people and in spite of his rhetoric, I do not think he gives a DAMN about the victims of Saturday’s tragedies. EVERYTHING this man does is orchestrated to eventually take us down as a free nation with a Constitution that is dying by degrees DAILY for the things Congress is doing in accordance with HIS wishes, usually in VIOLATION of our values our Constitution and our rule of law and if he is allowed to nationalize our retirement and 401 K resources to get China and others to extend more credit to us, he will de facto be 100% in control of EVERY aspect of the life of Every individual in this country. I am 66 having worked all my life to insure a reasonable retirement I EARNED through hard Lsbor and integrity; something this SOB will never understand. I hope it is not true but I think that America as we have known her is terminally ill because of our own government and the stupidity of the Public in not doing a damn thing about it for better than five decades. In the end, Obama is nothing more than the result of our failure to maintain the principles on which this country was formed ; and, to our everlasting regret. One need only look at the circus atmosphere of this purported
Memorial service. God has not blessed America because we have forgotten Him.
January 13, 2011 @ 9:58 am
I am seeing Mr Obama, quoting the scriptures more and more these days. IMHO, I think we will see this pattern increases even more. He will most probably attend church much more frequently, since political campaigning/pandering starts 2 years before election day, in his attempt to capture the evangelical votes for 2012.
I sincerely hope everyone will see him for what he is, shallow.
January 13, 2011 @ 10:58 am
What you say is correct. However, I believe it is inappropriate in this one instance. The event should not have been a pep rally, but we must give Obama credit for at least saying the right words. There will be plenty of time in the next two years to point out his negatives. For today, let’s allow this thing to just be what it is.
January 13, 2011 @ 2:25 pm
Excellent comment, nothing could be more TRUE !
January 13, 2011 @ 9:37 am
I am sorry, this was just a set up. All the “words” were meant only to insite and help with 2012. If not, there would have been more pointed remarks against those that had been attacking the majority of Americans. I watched it all and saw over and over what was being done, and it saddened me, as this was not meant to ba a political rally. It could have been stopped on the stage, by stating why they were there and to be quiet and polite. It would have been easy. Tshirts, hand outs, boistrous students. Our president loves campuses for this reason. Maybe he was sad, but he did not “waste” this situation.
January 15, 2011 @ 10:25 am
Nothing more than a phot opt because he has not had enough of them this New Year! Likek meeting a plane at midnight to bring our “dead” youth home…he cares not about them…just getting his arrogant ugly, big ears, phony smile, lying mouth in a photo…
January 13, 2011 @ 9:48 am
sorry to say it brought back memories of the paul welstone fiasco……FOR PAUL,,,,FOR GABBY????? JUST POINTING OUT WHAT WAS APPARENT….MY PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL THE VICTOMS..BY THE WAY WHY WASN’T THE YOUNG MAN WHO WAS ARMED BUT DIDN’T PULL HIS WEAPON AND HELPED TO SUBDUE THE GUNMAN MENTIONED???
January 13, 2011 @ 2:49 pm
You have to be kidding…………why would anyone in that crowd mention a person with a concealed carry permit. They only do that when the person is using the weapon. The person you are mentioning probably made a judgment call against using the weapon in a crowded place where someone (other than those shot by Loughner) could have been hurt and the libs wouldn’t have wanted to showcase anyone who acted responsibly with a weapon.
January 15, 2011 @ 10:28 am
Because he would have been arrested for carrying a legal firearm due to our insult of a Homeland Secretary…she is ignorant and stupid, just a puppet for the Satanic one in OUR HOUSE>
January 13, 2011 @ 9:53 am
Greatest campaign rally he could ask for. Never let crisis or tragedy go to waste. Yes university has to push and butter up to liberal leaders, state is getting ready to cut their wasted funding. Dupnik needs all the cover he can get for his incompetent job, hide all mistakes possible. I do hope slain and injured do get memorial service somewhere, this wasn’t it. This should be aired for weeks they can’t buy better campaign coverage. Still makes me think how convenient this muder was.
January 15, 2011 @ 10:34 am
This is nothing more than more of the same; our government behind tragedy using it for their own benefit………
Consider, some had read this before 9/11 – Joe Biden wrote the Patriot Act in 1995..now why do you suppose he did that and why do you think it was signed within hours after the attack? Mighty convenient I would say; then in OK, years ago now, McVeigh was nothing more than a patsy…he did not have the knowledge to set the bombs that were responsible for the destruction of the building…watch it…it was imploded, same at the Twin Towers, watch Tower #2….the Empire State Bldg. was severely struck and it suffered little damage.. OK proved their point…then take Kennedy, there are many versions of what happened and most point to Oswald; however, in a 60 Minute of PBS presentation, in the 90s, it shows the bullet that killed JFK headed upward…the killer, and at that time, the computer showed the tip of the gun, Texas had large drainage ports in their streets…….the killer was there and Oswald up ……….food for thought!
January 13, 2011 @ 9:54 am
Mr. Eberle hits it right on the head. Considering the inevitable pressure from the left to turn this into an event, Obama was somewhat able to find an apolitical perspective and to deliver it in a presidential manner. I am ready to drop this matter and leave it for the judicial system and historians. However, I wouldn’t be too surprised if some on the left attempt to take up the mantra “Remember Congresswoman Giffords” in 2012. Let us hope not. This could stink as much as “Remember Willie Horton” in 1988. Neither is germane to the central issues.
January 15, 2011 @ 10:37 am
Isn’t it funny how quickly he could come to this event but he could not find time to honor our dead on Veteran’s dead…it makes me sick that our youth are dying to protect people like him and his cronies…..that means most liberals too and their offspring for they grow up to be worse than those already of whom are considered adults and mature……….
January 13, 2011 @ 9:57 am
Saint Obamao repeated the lie that we have a democracy in spite of the fact that our founders rejected that disastrous form of government in Article 4, Section 4. To the contrary, Sarah Palin referred to our republic in her speech.
In democracies, individuals have the right to vote and no others. Once the best organized mob has spoken, everyone has to march in lockstep with it, and angry rhetoric automatically follows.
January 15, 2011 @ 10:40 am
Yes, you are right here..nor are we a Christian nation…all our State Preambles differ with that statement.
Re: Bibe reading, does he misquote it as he does our Constitution and Declaration of Independence writings? Or does he use a Bible that is written just for himself…
January 13, 2011 @ 10:07 am
The entire event has been over publicised for the wrong reasons. It was horrible and should never have happened. But the way the victims, and now their surviving families, have been further victimized is disgusting. The Memorial Service was irreverent and almost giddy with pro Democrat anti Republican/Tea Party sentiment. The “eye opening” moment was used in a way that made it seem staged and phony. The doctors attending in white coats was also too much theatre for my taste. Doctors do NOT wear their hospital coats to memoral services. Shameful of the families to allow themselves to be puppets for any political agenda. Shame on them.
January 13, 2011 @ 11:47 am
Were the people in white coats Really Doctors or democrat plants wearing white coats? Just something to think about.
Another question, who paid for the t-shirts and whatever souveniers set out? I don’t know. I’m only asking. Was it maybe SEIU or DNC? Should anyone say “Follow the Money?”
I’ll not judge Mr. obama on this but I certainly question the items I just asked about. Mr. obama could have best served all by making a short film clip from his office and having it played at the Memorial Service. That might have stopped some of the inappropriate behavior by the people wearing t-shirts and cheering. He certainly did not need to pull up a large number of people and equipment and then fly everybody and everything to Tucson for a few hours. Air Force One is getting a workout with this guy.
January 13, 2011 @ 10:07 am
While we might want to pin the “event mentality” on the “left” I think a better explanation (although it still does not justify it) is that this was, first and foremost a “college” event, in a college that apparently does a lot with local politics as even the student president had interned for the congresswoman.
I think the big question now will be … if the left continues its strongly polarizing rhetoric (note that no one on the right is blaming the left for this affair, while the left against all the evidence continues to push the affair for political advantage) against the president’s call “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 …” as is still the case with left wing commentators like Chris Matthews, will the president have to guts to go against his base or will he been seen as the paper tiger … a great speech reader but a lousy leader.
January 13, 2011 @ 11:08 am
Actually, I’m not sure who he impresses as a speaker. He doesn’t impress me. Even while delivering apparent off-script information about the Congresswoman, he failed to make eye contact with the television viewer. Great speech reader? No. Also, he’s not a “lousy” leader. That implies that he can, in some small measure, lead. He isn’t a leader period!
Having said all that, I think it’s time to let sleeping dogs lie. The tragedy continues for the victims. We need to be considerate of and pray for them.
January 13, 2011 @ 10:26 am
The president was down in Tucson in an attempt to tie the murder of six people and the attempted murder of 13 other people to conservatives. A “health care” bill is in danger and here’s a chance for him to follow his former chief of staff’s advice: “Don’t let a crisis go to waste.”
All the crocodile tears in the world won’t bring back to life the most innocent of those killed – nine year old Christina Green. She was the victim of a madman who went to school in a government institution that is devoid of God’s admonition of “Thou shalt not kill.” The sacred cow called a “public school” is incapable of keeping out gangs, drugs, knifes, guns, bullies, porn from classrooms. It is incapable of providing a classic “liberal arts” education to millions of young people who desperately need brain education not brain-washing! Public schools are too busy administering Ritalin to overactive students and turning children against their parents to bother teaching school children basic economics, science, math, geography, grammar and how to think logically.
Miss Green never made anyone’s life miserable by raising taxes; never voted to fund government bullies to snoop into our life. She never voted for Cap and Trade; never voted for Obamacare; never voted to gift foreign tyrants a multi-billion dollar appropriations bill titled: “State-Foreign Aid Appropriations (HR3081, fiscal year 2010. While Mrs. Giffords did vote for these bills and apparently could care less about our national debt as evidenced by her voting pattern, she didn’t deserve to be shot by a punk whose antics stuck out like a red thumb!
Little Christina, Phyllis Scheck, Dorothy Murray, Dorwin Stoddard get a line in the press. The judge and the congressman’s aide get less attention than the big mouth Sheriff Dupnik who is less qualified as an investigator than the fumbling, idiotic Inspector Clouseau of the Pink Panther movie.
I believe that the Ten Commandments need to hang once more in public schools and that they should be recited everyday before the first class begins. The “boomers” remember when a prayer was offered by students and faculty before first-period lunch. There were revivals in all of the schools before the first class opened. Christmas was celebrated and all other Christian feast days were honored. The murder rate was lower throughout every level of society. God was kicked out of school and look at this latest mass killer that public schools are produced.
Today school teachers teach kids to bow and pray to a green goddess and teach that God is dead. Condoms are dispersed and unborn babies are dumped in the trash and still liberals expect that another law banning free speech will solve society’s problems!
The Lord said by “their fruits ye shall know them.” Their fruits are: big public school system, big government and big war and big atheism.
January 13, 2011 @ 12:15 pm
Mr. Irgon
In general I agree with what you have said. However, I would just like to add one more comment and reference to your statement about “a madman who went to school in a government institution that is devoid of God’s admonition of “Thou shalt not kill.”” Not only is this true, but another bit of information which sets this school – even further apart. It was a special, unusual High School. It was a school of Small Learning Center. The curriculum for this school and the overall school program was founded by none other than our peace loving, non-repentant, 60′s bomber from the Weather Underground, William Ayers. (http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=249429).
January 13, 2011 @ 12:20 pm
Whenever the current administration wants more control and power, they claim that, “oh it is, for the children”. It sickens, me to hear this.
If they are truly sincere about being, for the children, then do so by their actions, stop spending, like drunken sailors (no disrespect to sailors). Do something about our runaway debt! and not enslave future generations to the Chinese. I truly pity and feel very sad /sorry for the innocent children who dont even know the value of a dollar (going to be worthless very soon, if we continue down this reckless path) and those who are not even born yet.
ps: I think all of us can agree that despite our healthy exchange of thoughts here, it does not mean that we are not grieving and keeping the deceased, injured and their families of this heinous crime, in our prayers and thoughts.
January 13, 2011 @ 2:56 pm
From Gordon’s comment here: ” The curriculum for this school and the overall school program was founded by none other than our peace loving, non-repentant, 60′s bomber from the Weather Underground, William Ayers. (http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=249429).”
All I can say is…are you kidding me?! This is the first I’ve heard of it! Why hasn’t this little fact been brought up by the mainstream media?! I swear their hero worship of Obama knows no limits!
January 15, 2011 @ 10:48 am
I believe the Stars and Stripes should be raised every morning by students, the Pledge needs to be recited and Under God in it; I believe that the flag should be taken down after school and by students, appropriately folded and never let touch the ground; I believe that the President of the USA should never stand on it and on the ground, I do not believe it should become handkerchiefs, flown from a Harley, flown tattered, flown in darkness, worn as a shirt, a seat cover, etc. I believe each classroom should have a flag in the classroom and the students need to be taught why the flag was made and by whom, what the red stripes stand for, the white in between the red stripes, why the blue background and the stars. who wrote our National Anthem and under what conditions. That cannot happen for the same reason the Constitution and other founder papers cannot be taught in school in the true meaning of each…the NEA and NTU…they need to be banished. Then, consider, with the downfall of what the teachers are not allowed to teach, and I am guilty to a degree, why do we not sit with our youth two or three times a week and teach them what they are not being taught? How can they have an understanding and a passion for the country they live in if they do not realize the sacrifices and why the Europeans came over…….I am an Indian and I resent the fact of what happened to us…hence, I would rather not see our youth suffer the way we do and have since that time…intimidation took over the Indians, do you want that for your children?
January 15, 2011 @ 10:50 am
AMEN! AMEN! God bless you for the last two lines!
January 13, 2011 @ 10:26 am
OBAMA IS AWFUL. HE WRECKED THE DECORUM OF A ‘MEMORIAL” SERVICE IN TUCSON. HE IS SHAMELESS. HE IS AN AMATEUR, PRETEND PRESIDENT. HE MAKES ME SICK. HE IS AN AWFUL PHONY, FAKE, FLAKE, FLIPPANT SOB.
January 15, 2011 @ 10:54 am
Yes he is all of this and more. There are not enough negatives in the dictionary to describe this whatever he is….he makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up just hearing him rattling away, shaking his finger at us……urg…….
Yes, to all of you expressing sorrow regarding the deaths…I weep with the families, we that have lost loved ones know the hurt and heartache; truly, it does not matter how they left us or why, it is the fact they are gone and no more times to be together, to cry, to argue, to love, to laugh, etc.
January 13, 2011 @ 10:30 am
Aside from the Yaqui Medicine Man, where were representatives of America’s mainstream religions, i.e., priests, ministers and rabbi’s?
Why was the reading of scripture left to the Attorney General and Director of Homeland Security? Is the ACLU going to complain about this as the do all other issues regarding religion?
The irreverence at the event was disgusting. The hooting, whistling, clapping and general lack of decorum from the audience was like nothing I have ever seen.
The most repugnant part of the event, though, was the introduction given by the politically motivated sychophant President of the University, who introduced President Obama.
January 15, 2011 @ 10:58 am
Well, you reap what your sow and unfortunately, this AZ school has reaped some of what it is sowing amongst our children…this is a horrible way to see this lesson learned. And this sychophant that introduced the ICK in OUR HOUSE only drew the line broader………….people were supposed to be here to memorialize a fallen lady not to idolize the mulatto!
January 15, 2011 @ 10:59 am
Can anyone relate to me why some messages you can reply to and others you cannot?
January 13, 2011 @ 10:33 am
Personally I only saw one fleeting moment and O was silent, but had what I consider an arrogant look on his face. This is in keeping with his attitude, O uber alles! He seems to be a very strong willed person that does what is in O’s best interest? I really don’t see how anyone can trust him to ever actually divulge his true motives. He is, like all liberals, 99 44/100% politican to the core. Always scheming and looking towards the next election, not the best interests of the nation. Anything they do for the best interests of the nartion is purely coincidental. e.g. He quotes scripture because it makes him look good.
January 15, 2011 @ 11:10 am
Yes and I just bet he often misquotes or uses a Bible or context from Rick Warren’s works…which are not biblically true/written.
We know he has thin skin…cannot take criticism and thinks he is perfect…early on he often referred himself, tactfully as the One and Only…I judged that to be he thinks he is Christ in the flesh………he is an Anti Christ type individual.
January 13, 2011 @ 10:33 am
Bobby,
You nailed it!
Good words, poorly staged as an event, bad crowd.
It won’t prevent the rest of us from mourning the victims and praying for the survivors!
http://www.thelastjump.com
Some proceeds donated to assist families of fallen soldiers
January 13, 2011 @ 11:14 am
I agree. This event will not prevent me from mourning and praying.
January 13, 2011 @ 10:33 am
Where was Obama and his roving pep rally after the Fort Hood shootings? Oh yea – the shooter was Muslim. Wouldn’t want to draw any ties to that.
January 13, 2011 @ 1:17 pm
Political correctness driven by the haters of Western Civilization (that now seems to permeate every aspect of our government and Medias))… did not attach the degree of tragedy of the trapped, weaponless, victims at Fort Hood’s army base that they attach to the tragedy in Arizona where six are dead and another 18 wounded.
In case anyone has forgotten…A member of America’s own military…a Muslim Major screamed “Allah Akbar” as he slaughtered thirteen, unarmed, unsuspecting corralled young people and wounded another 31.
Yep, there are some startling differences and similarities in the two incidents. Our own government set the stage for both. They have systematically, knowingly, purposely allowed those who hate America to become members in the military that is supposed to protect America. Then the government proceeded to cover the Muslim’s hatred for the people who paid the dollars to send him to college and feed him.
This same government finds no problems with the drugs that created this mindless, monster now known as Loughner. Our very own government that allows the corrupt government of Mexico to enrich their evil country with the export of drugs shares a responsibility for the many “Loughers” that now fills America. Loughner was an evil, drugged up monster that had no ability to think. Nidal Malik Hasan knew exactly what he was doing…and so did our own government.
And while Americans laud Obama in the way he is handling the situation…allow me to say I do appreciate the fact that upon learning of the tragedy he refrained from using the Media’s attention for a “shout out” to political cronies.
January 13, 2011 @ 10:47 am
First of all I want to say how sorry I feel about all this I’m sorry the attack happened but, I’m really sorry about how things have un-folded. Much of which involves the shameless minipulation of this tragedy by the left wing media and supporters, As for Obama and this rediculous pep rally well, quite frankly most sensible people have his number and realize he is a shameless narcissist who will never let a good crisis go to waste to keep him center stage and the mindless sheepeople fawning over anything that comes from his lips. This terrible act of a crazed lunatic has been hijacked and it is very sad time indeed for America.
January 15, 2011 @ 11:08 am
Re: The attack on our military…I suspect Hassan will be declared mentally ill…have not kept up with this..it is so darn disgusting..he will not see time if he even sees a trial.
January 13, 2011 @ 11:03 am
Regarding R McNally’s comment on the “pep rally” memorial, I too was wondering why Obama did not attend a memorial for the innocents slaughtered at Ft Hood, TX. Touche McNally, you hit it right on the head.
January 13, 2011 @ 11:16 am
Both of you have brought up a great point. He also didn’t attend the services or memorials for the slain recruiters. Why this time and not some other?
January 13, 2011 @ 11:50 am
Obama was not there because he hates the military and the freedom of the American people. For those who say Obama cant be impeached. Anyone who is elected can be impeached. Is he eligible to be president? I don’t know. I do know he can be impeached.
IMPEACH OBAMA NOW!
January 13, 2011 @ 11:09 am
The service was like two concurrent events. Surprising to me, I’m not necessarily as cynical as some of the commenters have expressed. But I didn’t know about the contrary organizational aspects of the service as Mr. Eberle details in the article.
I very much appreciated and even taken back a bit that J. Napolitano and E. Holder limited their time to Scripture readings. God’s word is powerful, and the reading from Isaiah was particularly moving.
But the continuous whooping by the students was very disconcerting. At first I tried to give them a break, thinking “well, they’re just students”, but this was simply out-of-line. I wanted and even expected the President of the University to rebuke them and tell them to show appropriate reverence, but no comment was made.
It is ironical that despite the call from Mr. Obama for greater civil discourse, the civility of the audience wasn’t shown. Sad to find out that the service’s organization and promotion contributed to the overall inappropriate atmosphere of the hall.
January 13, 2011 @ 11:32 am
The President of the University was too busy falling all over himself, praising Obama, to worry about the unruly behavior of his students. In his mind it was a campaign rally for his leader, not a memorial service for the victims.
January 13, 2011 @ 11:16 am
I thought it very poor taste to have all the cheering and applauding at a memorial service. It is sickening to see someone trying to buy votes over the body of a 8 year old child. Can’t this man do anything right?
January 15, 2011 @ 11:04 am
Well, this is the liberal/Marxist way I guess…..Amnesty for the Latino vote;
Passed the Hate crime bill because of a gay in WY being killed…well on this subject, it makes me both angry and disappointed in our legislators.
This “gay” was told repeatedly to stay out of the bar..it was a biker’s bar. He was told by management, he was told and shown by the biker’s, he was told by outsiders that knew of the hang out of bikers…the bikers are not bad, bad, they just do not like gays and this kid was told that and then…the worst thing, he made a move on one of them..that was the start of it and what you read in the papers, heard on the MSM, not the truth…………in a sense, wrong, but, if you and I are told to leave and threatned, knowing the situation in a public place…would you stick around and persist your behaviors or bikers that don’t want you around….even if they were gay, their partner would be there with………
January 13, 2011 @ 11:18 am
“It appears as if Jared Loughner, …was schooled in a program hatched by that American terrorist par excellence, Bill Ayers. … Loughner was a student in one of Ayers’ radical education projects…” http://thenewamerican.com/index.php/usnews/crime/5876-arizona-shooters-leftist-connections-to-ayers-obama
“Turns out, however, he went to a high school associated with radicals and communists — most notably, Ayers. The school program to which the high school was attached was funded by the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, whose chairman at the time was Barack Obama…”
January 13, 2011 @ 11:39 am
Tshirts, and handouts, at a college site…he was playing, deliberately, to those who almost overwhelmingly voted for him. MANY of whom, without this rally, may not vote again for him, or vote ever again period.
Yup, no mention when the Ft. Hood massacre happened, where more than twice the number of people were viciously, with malice aforethought, violently, coldly gunned down, including a young mother, 8 months pregnant.
Where were/are the prayers for them and their survivors? Oh, wait, can’t blame the right wing nor Gov Palin….not relevant to our political climate and more importantly, can’t help get back obama and his minions, back into the White House, with complete power.
obama deserves NO kudos, Dr. Eberle, none. Being Pollyanna-ish only serves obama’s needs and wants and does nothing for anyone or anyone else.
January 13, 2011 @ 11:56 am
Those kids at University of Arizona probably all watch John Stewart and Stephen Colbert.
January 15, 2011 @ 11:12 am
Most colleges and universities have very liberal teachers/profs and they insure the student only knows one side of life and what is important, what is good, etc.
January 13, 2011 @ 12:02 pm
When I heard about the tee-shirts & pamphlets that were handed out, that pretty much cleared it all up for me. Obama gave a thoughtful speech but I’m sorry to say I don’t think it was without a political motive. On the contrary, I feel like he & his staff probably listened to advice during the week that a really good speech devoid of politics and given in a heartfelt manner would be the best thing to do…but that the bonus would be that it also would help his image politically. So what did Team Obama do…I’m pretty sure they thought that since they can’t insert politics into the speech, they would do the next best thing and quietly (or so they thought) put out tee shirts and pamphlets.
I’m mean it…this president and his administration have one track minds: For these two years leading up to 2012, since he knows he won’t be able to get any of his liberal agenda passed in the new Congress, he will focus on presenting himself as middle of the road, tone down the usual rhetoric, pick up his church attendance and read Scriptures from the Bible. EVERYTHING he does will be geared to mesmerizing the masses, fooling them and bringing in the votes as he did in the 2008 campaign…it’ll all be about getting re-elected! But if he does get a 2nd term…God forbid…the liberal Obama we all know will then re-emerge realizing he’ll have a fresh 4 years to use the power of his office to continue trying to work deals to get as much of his liberal agenda accomplished as possible. I just pray the people of this country don’t get duped yet again!
January 13, 2011 @ 12:03 pm
I just have to say I am so sick of this president doing what ever it takes to stay actor & chief and why is this incident so sensationalized I frankly am sick of all this news 24/7 I live in Chicago and we have that many killed every weekend just this morning a person waiting for the bus a car pulls up and shoots this man a bunch of times and some public officials like judges have to realize people do not like to be screwed and they get what is coming cops face the heat everyday soldiers face the heat so should they it goes with the job you want to be a crooked politician well sometimes you have to face the music I just Obama gets to face the sun soon .
January 13, 2011 @ 12:03 pm
The conduct of the audience at the “service” is a direct result of the conspiracy to dumb down the American people. The conspiracy of ignorance has been going on from the 1960s, and is the product of leftists. See Cleon Skousen’s work. The election of Barack Obama is one of the culminating events of the end of the methodology for the left to take over the country.
January 13, 2011 @ 12:07 pm
I saw the comments by various folks on T.V. Napolitano and Sebelius both refrained from any personal effort and cribbed their comments from the Bible.
Obama did also. But what looked remarkable to me was that the in picture of Obama and MeeShell, they looked as they usually do when Our Flag passes by.
January 13, 2011 @ 12:17 pm
Yes indeed, I too was amazed at the cheering from the crowd who were supposedly at a memorial service. I have attended way to many of these type events in my 60 years on this planet, and have never seen such a show of idiocy.
What ever happened to common decency? Were I a family member of one of those who died that horrible Saturday I would have been incensed!
As a freedom loving American I am indeed incensed!
We need to put a stop to this idiocy, stop the insanity, stop the Obama screwing of our great nation, and preserve those freedoms we still have.
How? I cannot advise however an answer needs to come and soon while we can still undo that which has been done, much like a pregnant woman, you cannot unscrew what has been so horribly screwed.
January 13, 2011 @ 12:20 pm
Well, I AM going to assign blame – TO THE SHOOTER! HE ALONE is to blame for the horrible tragedy which occurred in Tucson, Arizona on January 8, 2011!
January 13, 2011 @ 12:25 pm
Excellent analysis by Bobby Eberle.
Now see what Judi McLeod has to say:
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/32095
January 13, 2011 @ 12:25 pm
This was without a doubt Obama’s finest hour. What a shame it is that this man does not believe, or feel, a word he said. It is obvious Obama did not write this speech.
Actions always speak louder than words !
January 13, 2011 @ 12:27 pm
I missed all but a few news clips.
Sounds like it came off exactly as i suspected it would.
When Obama said something the crowd liked and so rudely cheered etc. I noticed “O” would repeat the phrase that brought the fans to their feet to keep the energy level high & exciting.
I don’t have a problem with an Eulogy being some what upbeat & positive ,
However , form what little I saw & heard the Memorial was ,like some have said. A campaign Pep rally not one Iota different from 2007′s campaign rhetoric.
May “Our” Kind & Merciful God bring the Victims , Families & God Fearing American’s the Peace “HE” promises “His” children in their time of Grief and Pain. For their IS a reason for all things bad and good to come from both , Good & evil of Mankind.
Amen & Amen.
January 13, 2011 @ 12:58 pm
Damocrats and the decrepid media (old guard) are a true embarassment to the America. The dog and pony show at the intended memorial service was a disgrace! The screams and cheers of the idiotic youth and other supporters showed the lack of respect for the occassion, not respect for the President. As for the multilayered agendas, only a fool or a zealot would not recognize the folly. From the “multiplicity agenda,” the patronizing UA President, the fake prayers by medicine man and the politicians was a cruel joke. It was a political rally…at a time of grief for many families and this country. Sadly, how foolish we look to the rest of the world! No class;and no hope for any either!
January 13, 2011 @ 1:27 pm
One of the most noxious things, I know, is hearing Hitler quote the BIBLE! His words roll off his forked-tongue, with ease. Is this not what got him elected…..his ability to lie with conviction.. That IS the religious DUTY of a good muslim, LIE to the unbelievers!
Hearing Holder quoting from the BIBLE, was equally sickening. Nappytano always sets off the urge to vomit. Can’t believe this woman is in charge of the security of this country!
This event WAS propaganda, playing to an audience of brain-washed college kids. It was about promoting “Open borders,” and Hitler’s immigration policy (or lack of policy.) It was an “In your face,” to Governor Brewer, as well! Hasn’t anyone noticed.
This event was a travesty, not a “Memorial,” to the dead and wounded. To see the victims’ families sit through outrageous, inappropriate cheering, hooting, and applause, was shocking.
I am appalled that this event had a “Theme!” They sold T-shirts! Are you kidding me! This was nothing but a POLITICAL PEP RALLY, ALL ABOUT HITLER AND HIS AGENDA! Is there nothing out of bounds for the radical left!
I am tired of hearing about “Civility!” Civility is NOT creating the problems in this country! It is the corrupt, socialist agenda, the government taking control of our private companies, our lives, and the loss of our freedoms. The problem is the “Evil coming out of Washington.” According to Hitler, any objection to his agenda is a “Loss of civility!”
Will “Civility” be the next excuse, for the loss of the “Freedom of speech.” Where is NO “Civility” on the extreme Left!
I am sorry for those killed and injured, but I am tired of hearing, 24/7 details about the shooting of a politician that supported the agenda of Hitler, and his Obamacare! There were others wounded and we hear little or nothing about them! I believe the Left has been, ”Shaken to the core,” since one of their own has been shot down in public! The Left has just realized that the shooting of a Politician, by unhappy constituents, would be easy. They know Americans are disgusted and fed-up! They are feeling vulnerable, and are scrambling to make Laws to protect themselves… Of course, that means taking away more freedom of the American people.
The new Republicans can STOP Procrastinating, and start putting in place the mandate given them by the electorate! Enough delay!
One more thing! I am surprised and appalled at the FOX NEWS TALKING HEADS and their fawning over Hitler! What the heck is going on!
January 13, 2011 @ 1:39 pm
I still have difficulty with the sincerity of this administration, even in times of true sorrow. I agree with previous comments and can’t help but think this was all staged as an under-cover political rally.
If BO was so sincere, why did he have to come to a planned event to make his “heartfelt” emotions heard? I wonder why he constantly stays quiet until he can “hold his finger up to the political wind” of the time, and then say whatever the public wants to hear–without, I might add, any intention of doing what he says?
How many times do we hear recorded on tape a “promise” or his “wonderful words of wisdom” that he himself never follows? Think about it.
Did anyone notice he never visits the Arizona border? Oh, I see, he just happened to show up in Arizona now because the world was telling him he’d better go.
How can this person call for civility, when he sanctioned a Federal Law Suit against the state of Arizona; did anyone hear voiced from this person before now that Arizona boycotts should be ended; that we are one country helping each other? Have we heard prior to this event that we should ban together to solve problems? I don’t think so…no, we’ve heard comments about “getting in your enemy’s face” (courtesy of BO-BO); or how about, “if they bring a knife, we’ll bring a gun” comment (courtesy of BO-BO)…hmmm. Now he’s lecturing us at a memorial service on when and how we should tell our spouses and family that we love them! Why must you constantly tell us what to do….can you tell yourself first, then show us by your actions, second, and then live with sincerity, third.
Last night’s pep rally was filled with what I thought sounded like a lecturing teacher–arrogant, and above everyone else. “Do as I say, not as I do.”
No, thank you, BO. Borrow a page from your own speech writers…let’s see you step up to the plate!
January 13, 2011 @ 2:31 pm
I reread my post and wanted to clarify something. I think I said, in one sentence, that this “Event,” was about promoting “Open borders.” Not solely, but it was part of the reason Hitler made a trip to Arizona. He didn’t have to go. He could have given his speech from the Oval Office, in a quiet, somber, respectful way. This is not his how he does things. There has to be an “Extravaganza,” made of his appearances, and they have to be in an extremely friendly, adoring crowd.
Obviously, this was political propaganda…. And, I feel that an, “In your face,” to Gov. Brewer was PART of that agenda… The audience at the University was NOT a favorable one for Gov Brewer. Her policies on immigration would not be popular, among the brain-washed student body, many of whom are Hispanic. Hitler has refused, Gov Brewer’s invitations to visit Arizona, many times, in the past. He always refused, stating that he had no time. But, when an opportunity presents itself, to go to Arizona, have her witness him and his adoring supporters, that was something that he could not forgo.. That was part of it..
This “Event,” was planned to be exactly what it was! I do NOT agree with those that think, Hitler was surprised, about anything! All went exacly as planned….
January 13, 2011 @ 2:51 pm
I can’t help but wonder if the attendees at the Tucson Memorial Service had ever actually attended a memorial service in a church, synagogue, etc? A solemn occasion
is attended with a solemn demeanor. Attire is supposed to be anything but identical tee-shirts.
I think that something has been lost in today’s culture. Children, young adults have not been taught to respect, much less, understand the feelings of the bereaved.
I’m sorry, I had to escape from the memorial and seek solace in cable tv that hadn’t heard that a service was being held.
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January 13, 2011 @ 3:01 pm
Yup, liberalism is a mental disorder! Truth to power!
January 13, 2011 @ 4:20 pm
For your information from a Zonie:
The cities where the three Arizona state universities, Tucson. Tempe and Flagstaff are all, as in many other university towns, are saturated with liberals. The liberals in the rest of the state are mostly the educators who were trained by the university liberals.
January 13, 2011 @ 5:41 pm
I think President Obama did fine as did many of the speakers, but I was really put off by the allowing of the Hispanic/American Indian to give the opening prayer. I believe this was just another effort by leftist to indicate that the Christian God, the one this nation was founded on is not important. I am not saying that this Professor of hispanic/indian heritage could not have offered his prayer, but he should not have been before either a Catholic (as many of the victims were catholic) Christian Pastor or a Rabbi ( as Rep. Giffords is Jewish) He should not have come before the playing of our national anthemn. He should have been more subdued and unless it was just me, I feel that he introduced the politics of immigration into his opening by boldly introducing himself, his race, how long he his people had been in Arizona. I find it disturbing that as a nation that God has obviously blessed, that a certain minority of non believers who have power, continue to see that this nations Christian God is placed away from a position of honor, or forgotten completely. The other aspect of this that really bugged me was the exuberance of the crowd. The hoots and the applause was highly inappropriate. Iam sure that it made the families of those who lost a loved one feel very uncomfortable. I could be wrong, but I feel that this event was planned by most likely Liberal Academia from the University of Arizona. This was a terrible mistake .
January 13, 2011 @ 7:58 pm
In my lifetime , I have known of one candidate that handed out literature at a memorial service and he lost.
January 13, 2011 @ 10:29 pm
We write our thoughts on these articles and we agree that we must bring our Government back to the people for the people. We need a leader who can gather the people as a unit and get some action. Words are just words . “Obama is a liar”, our laws and Constitution are for everyone “except Obama”. These are words heard on the television news. It’s for damn sure we need the Military on the side of the people. Especially when the People realize that the Supreme Court justices, the Congress and the House of representatives get their point across that the people don’t count. The Governors can’t count, they number less than 600, the people number 308,000,000 minus the less than 600. Lord help us find our leader.
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January 14, 2011 @ 9:56 am
I agree with the comments and the staging, etc. but you have to hand it to the President for giving a good speech even though it was too long, etc. His personal ratings are going to go up as a result of this event and we know that it was staged to a large extent to help boost his political situation, and it worked and, unfortunately for those of us that want to see him out in 2012, it is not going to be harder to do, but it can be done.
Just another comment. Why is the press and the pundits calling Loughner the “alleged killer” of six people? The same comments with regard to the Fort Hood shooting…the “alleged shooter”. This, to me, sounds rather stupid and is another example of how off the map this “political correctness” has gone. When it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, has feathers and swims on the water, we know it is a duck, so stop this stupidness. Loughner is a KILLER and we all know it.
January 14, 2011 @ 9:57 am
I meant, it is going to be harder to get him out, sorry about that.
January 14, 2011 @ 10:25 am
I would like someone to tell me what ERIC HOLDER, of all people, was doing at this event, much less a featured speaker. The irony was simply dripping from his presence, considering the fact that he is essentially saying to the State of Arizona, “Now excuse me while I head back to Washington to continue suing your butts in federal court for precisely what Gabby Giffords was trying to do – protect this state.” How could this man have had the gaul to show up in Arizona at such a monumentally inappropriate venue as this; politics at its worst. Whomever invited this anti-Arizonan cad should be ashamed of themselves. WHY WAS ERIC HOLDER THERE?
January 14, 2011 @ 10:42 pm
I’ll never be convinced that Obama didn’t delay his appearance to Tucson until the polls were collected and the printed tee-shirts ready for the unruly, irreverent, bunch of airheaded kids who were assembled by Obama’s advance people.
No matter how well he spoke, this appearance was a pep rally, and those poor survivors of the dead had to sit through it.
Obama is a cold, calculating person and everything is about him.
January 15, 2011 @ 11:24 am
Obama had a theme to hold a pep rally for himself . I gave him the benefit of the doubt but now we know.
http://gatewaypundit.rightnetwork.com/
If White House Was Surprised by Applause at Tucson Pep Rally… Why Did They Ask For It On Jumbotron?
Posted by Jim Hoft on Saturday, January 15, 2011, 10:40 AM
On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that they were surprised by the applause at the memorial pep rally on Wednesday for the victims of the Tucson shootings.
I will say that I read the speech several times and thought that there wouldn’t be a lot of applause if any. I think many of us thought that. But I think there was a celebration, again, of the lives of those who had been impacted. Not just at that grocery store but throughout the country. And I think that, if that is part of the healing process, then that’s a good thing.