Obama says polarized nation needs healing

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Yahoo News:

TUCSON, Ariz. – Summoning the soul of a nation, President Barack Obama on Wednesday implored Americans to honor those slain and injured in the Arizona shootings by becoming better people, telling a polarized citizenry that it is time to talk with each other "in a way that heals, not in a way wounds." Following a hospital bedside visit with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the target of the assassination, he said: "She knows we're here, and she knows we love her."

In a memorably dramatic moment, the president said that Giffords, who on Saturday was shot point-blank in the head, had opened her eyes for the first time shortly after his hospital visit. First lady Michelle Obama held hands with Giffords' husband, Mark Kelly, as the news brought soaring cheers throughout the arena.

Speaking at a memorial in Tucson, Obama bluntly conceded that there is no way to know what triggered the shooting rampage that left six people dead, 13 others wounded and the nation shaken. He tried instead to leave indelible memories of the people who were gunned down and to rally the country to use the moment as a reflection on the nation's behavior and compassion.

"I believe we can be better," Obama said to a capacity crowd at the University of Arizona basketball arena — and to countless others watching around the country. "Those who died here, those who saved lives here — they help me believe. We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."

In crafting his comments, Obama clearly sought a turning point in the raw debate that has defined national politics. After offering personal accounts of every person who died, he challenged anyone listening to think of how to honor their memories, and he was not shy about offering direction. He railed against any instinct to point blame or to drift into political pettiness or to latch onto simple explanations that may have no merit.

"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," the president said.
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Most of it (at least through the beginning) was actually quite dignified. Then it seemed to become more like a political rally with all the cheering.

[Pepper]

Obama says polarized nation needs healing

 

WestVirginiaRebel

 

The biggest step towards healing is for Mr. Polarity himself to step down.

 

Since that is not possible, defeating him in 2012 would be a step towards healing.

[pollyannaish]

I just realized that I am irritated by the whole "healing" meme. We haven't been wounded! We're not broken! The system is working!

 

We have always been a contentious nation. We have always had vigorous political discourse. Our system was DESIGNED that way. Contentiousness keeps things from going too far afield. And if you want to see people less polite about all of it than we are...just watch the Brits conduct business sometime.

 

We need it to stay the way it is. We can talk about each other a little more kindly if we choose, but even that should be a choice.

 

Healing. Schmealing. We need leaders who aren't afraid to do what needs to be done and quit whining about it being uncivil.

[Casino67]

Media Matters picked up on this quote from a Limbaugh caller.

 

"Limbaugh Agrees With Caller: "Civility Is The New Censorship"

 

Can't help but agree with the caller and where all of this crap is headed. Don't think it is going to work but there will be a lot of conversation about it on MSM and another item they will try to force feed the public.

[Pepper]

Media Matters picked up on this quote from a Limbaugh caller.

 

"Limbaugh Agrees With Caller: "Civility Is The New Censorship"

 

Can't help but agree with the caller and where all of this crap is headed. Don't think it is going to work but there will be a lot of conversation about it on MSM and another item they will try to force feed the public.

 

 

It was a good show today.