President Obama was the most Presidential acting I've yet seen this past weekend. He wasn't bowing to Communists or Dictators. No, on Saturday, he was our President. Everyone's President. An assault on what makes America great had just occurred and he wanted us all to take a pause. An assault on Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Libertarians and Tea Partiers alike is really an assault on Democracy itself. If the people cannot interact with their government, then Democracy is lost. Most Presidential of all, Mr. Obama refrained from taking an American tragedy and a time of mourning and turning it into something for political gain.
That didn't stop the New York Times, NBC, NPR, and an Arizona County Sheriff from doing the despicable. Blaming a political party for what had happened. Really? Have we really stooped that low? Jared Loughner was a certifiable maniac, already known as such by the very same Sheriffs Department that played the political card. Loughner's favorite books are reported the be the The Communist Manifesto, and Orwell's 1984. About two years ago Loughner was immersed with ideal that life "was just an illusion". This guy isn't a Republican, a Right-winger or Tea Partier; He is a Nutcase!
But why? It's been reported Loughner was angered several years ago when Rep. Gabrielle Giffords answered one of his questions, not in English, but in Spanish. Truly why we may never know. Take one look at his picture...look in his eyes and you notice that nothing is staring back at you. He is evil set upon this Earth incarnate.
We as Americans cannot let this assault on Democracy and the very right to agree to disagree, to exhibit free speech, to hope for change, and to throw out the old and bring in the new to end. We cant blame Sarah Palin's rhetoric any more than we can blame Loughner's girlfriend because she recently broke up with him. If we were to outlaw Palin from politics, do we outlaw girlfriends? Would we blame the Spanish language for the answer given by Giffords? No.
Lets keep this tragedy what it is. Something that "...brings Americans together, not tears them further apart...". Let us pray for the families of those enduring loss tonight, and for Rep Giffords recovery. Mourn the loss of a 9-year old Student Council President, Senior childhood sweethearts separated, and a 20-year old intern among 3 others. Yes, our President looked very Presidential Saturday. Can we as Americans equal that strength in the way we handle this loss? My sincere hope is that we can.
D
