This may not be my most popular column, and if that is the case, I can live with it.
I never thought I’d get to write these words, so I had to take the opportunity while I could still do so: Barack Obama Did Something Right. This “Man Bites Dog” phrase refers to the fact that the president took exactly the right tone in his speech addressing the Tuscon shootings last night. Unlike rabid left-wingers who have tried to pin blame on his political opponents, Obama gave an apolitical speech that quoted Scripture, memorialized the dead, comforted the grieving, and called on the nation to celebrate the best aspects of America. He was right to keep the tone and the content within appropriate boundaries. When someone does something right, I believe in acknowledging it, and he did something right.
As usual, it was purely rhetorical. We can count on seeing the same Chicagoland culture and tactics in the White House for as long as he is president. But his speech deserves careful reading.
Of course, he set a low bar by his past performance. At least he did not begin by giving a “shout out” to anyone.
How then should Christians react to the tragedy and Obama’s speech?
The most striking part of the speech recounted the lives of those lost. Among them were three people over the age of 70.
Dorwan and Mavy Stoddard spent their retirement visiting family and donating their time to the Mountain Avenue Church of Christ. Their pursuits are the two most important in our lives: God and family. Too often we do not realize this until we are retired, but they alone make every age of life worth living, infusing purpose and fulfillment into our every action and rescuing us from the loneliness of self-seeking.
Dorwan covered his wife’s body, trading his life for hers.
George and Dorothy Morris were also parted by Jared Lee Loughner’s bullets. Obama noted, “When gunfire rang out, George, a former Marine, instinctively tried to shield his wife. Both were shot. Dot passed away.” George embodied the spirit of martyrdom, of laying down one’s life for others. His example should remind us of the spirit of service to our fellow man. It should be an exhortation to fulfill the eternal devotion of a husband for a wife, to “love your wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25). George’s example should remind us of those who serve in the armed forces, who are prepared to lay down their lives everyday to protect us, encouraging our thanks and forcing us to make sure those who serve never lack for physical needs or health care (physical or otherwise).
Gabe Zimmerman, an aide to Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, devoted himself to work in the government. Government, too, can be a means of service, if it is limited to its proper function, scope, and role. Government keeps foreign enemies from invading and prosecutes grave breaches of our liberties such as this shooting.
Judge John Roll, Obama said, “embodied America’s fidelity to the law.” We must abide by this commitment, remembering we are a nation of laws, not of men. Selective enforcement of the law is unacceptable. The supreme law of the land is the U.S. Constitution. We must never give up any of the protections in the Bill of Rights by clamping down on free speech, narrowing the scope of debate, or disarming the populace through reviving the Fairness Doctrine or repealing the Second Amendment. Those laws which violate the Constitution’s terms must be struck down, and those who refuse to abide by its terms while in office should be defeated, recalled from office, or impeached. And those responsible for enforcing our laws, like Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, must take greater care to monitor those who are known to be dangerous.
Nine-year-old Christina Taylor Green, the greatest sacrifice, held all the promise of any young life, with skills and peculiar abilities that would be envied by most adults. A gifted intellect, a popular student, a talented athlete, and a grateful person, all of us have been robbed by the contributions she may have made to society. Her death should remind us of the grave injustice of violence, the unreasoning nature of murder fueled by mental illness, and the promise represented by our children. America is in a dark hour now. The light of the next generation may cure the ills visited upon her by this generation.
President Obama’s fair-minded remarks did what his critics would not: acknowledge reality. He said we should change our political tone “not because a simple lack of civility caused this tragedy — it did not.” Those of his political stripe have spent days accusing Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, Glenn Beck, or anyone else they hate of spreading hatred. They incite violence against their political enemies then accuse their enemies of inciting violence. These elitists have suffered the rejection of their political revolution and chose to respond by bearing false witness against the majority of the country. They need not only to repent but to retract their hateful words.
The reality is, as Barack Obama said, “none of us can know exactly what triggered this vicious attack. None of us can know with any certainty what might have stopped these shots from being fired or what thoughts lurked in the inner recesses of a violent man’s mind.” Loughner, I’m sure, was less violent than he was mentally ill. He seems to have been a product of parental neglect, from his early indulgence in the counterculture to his drug abuse and occultism. If those close to him had gotten him the help he needed, this tragedy may have been prevented — perhaps. Only those closest to him could have done this.
This should remind us of the most difficult aspect of government: self-government. Limited government can only flourish in an environment of personal responsibility and morality.
Finally, the hardest: in my opinion, Christians have to pray for the shooter, Jared Lee Loughner. He was mentally ill, a young man whose life either will soon come to an end or be forever scarred by actions he would not have taken if he were well. Mental illness, like any illness, could afflict anyone. When he is healthy, he will likely have a crushing sense of guilt over an action he took while in the grip of a debilitating disease. Even if he were an unrepentant hatemonger, Christians are called to forgive others — while at the same time protecting society from them. In this case — which will be decided by the facts — justice must be tempered by mercy.
Obama gave a good speech. I wish I believed he would live up to his own rhetoric. I’m certain he will not. But even “hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue.”
Speaking of “Christian”, do the words, “mortal head wound” bring back any memories? Maybe that bible passage ought to be reviewed just as to who becomes the “anti-Christ”.
Obama may have selected the Right tone for his Words, I can't argue with that but then he always has been the Master of the Speech while out on the Campaign Trail. Had this speech been delivered from the Oval Office, or what ever Room is appropriate in the Whitehouse for the occasion, perhaps it would not give the appearance of a 2012 Campaign Kickoff event.
Hard to see this as a Memorial Service for the victims and their Families when it had the Sights, Sounds and components of a Celebration rather than "In Memorium" for the Victims. Maybe a second get together for Honoring the Local Heroes involved would have been less, shall I say, Tacky. I hear they gave out "T" Shirts.
Personally, I'm disgusted by how this Tragedy has been handled from the beginning.
(Side note) I do not understand how anyone could fly halfway across the country with Nancy Pelosi and Janet Napolitano in the same Plane. Guess Barry was lucky Michelle went along. UUUUUUGHHH We are juged by the Company we keep; Right?
I watched with the TV muted. I simply cannot stomach obama's speeches. I did notice he is considerably grayer but unfortunately without the usual accompanying wisdom. I'm angry all over again about how disrespectful and aloof he was regarding the Fort Hood victims. The one I'm am very saddest about is the little 9 year old girl who will not fulfill her obvious promise while here on earth.
I, too, was dumbfounded by the hooting and hollering and applause throughout the entire event. What were the audience members thinking? This was NOT the time for that type of reaction. Were they mostly students? If so, by the college years a person should KNOW what proper decorum is at a MEMORIAL service! It's a time for somber, respectful reflection. Not a pep rally.
Just unbelievable. But I was relieved (and somewhat surprised) that someone managed to counsel Obama NOT to use this as a political tool.
Don’t miss this Saul Alinsky moment. Alinsky advises “Make them live up to their own rule book.” Obama called for “civility” in public discourse. Sick of the name-calling? Here’s your chance to make them live up to their own rule.
I, too, was dumbfounded by the hooting and hollering and applause throughout the entire event. What were the audience members thinking? This was NOT the time for that type of reaction. Were they mostly students? If so, by the college years a person should KNOW what proper decorum is at a MEMORIAL service! It's a time for somber, respectful reflection. Not a pep rally.
Sorry for multiple posts. Didn't realize there is such a lag time from hitting post to it showing up.
Mr. Johnsons says: "Even if he (Loughner) were an unrepentant hatemonger, Christians are called to forgive others." Many Christians have mistakenly said this for many years, but it is not Biblically true. In one of Jesus' parables, He tells us God will not forgive us if we don't forgive others, but those others MUST WANT TO BE FORGIVEN. It is impossible to forgive someone who does not wish to be forgiven. Someone who is not repentent or sorry for their sins. If we are not repentent and confess our sins, does God still forgive us? NO, He does not! There is a distinction here. We Christians shouldn't hold a grudge toward anyone. We should not let the sun set on our anger. We must be ready to forgive anyone and everyone who ASKS for our forgiveness and we should pray for those who spite us and abuse us. BUT, we can NOT forgive anyone who does not want forgiveness. And neither does our Heavenly Father. This is what the Bible clearly tells us.
Fredand Deb : No where does it say that they must want to be forgiven. Remember where Christ said that if a man brings a gift to the altar and there remembers that his brother has an ought against him, he should leave his gift and go and be reconciled with him and return and present his gift??As a Christian, we are to set the tone for forgiveness…forgive us our debts as we forgive those who are indebted to us.
With focus on just the speech by Obama, it was good, but like you I hope that the words were also taken by him to his heart.
Glen Beck showed a photo of the T shirts that were given out with the slogans printed on them at the memorial! Whats that all about!
I believe this was a planned strategy where he took full advantage of the stage where the memorial service took place. What better place than a university where he can manipulate young minds.
Unfortunately, this was a calculated moment, not a heartfelt one on obama’s part. The words he read from the telepromter were meant to dumbfound and confuse, which they did for everyone was expecting something entirely different. This is how the devil works and we must not let our guard down for one moment where obama is concerned. That was a good move on his part quoting scripture, wonder how long and how many people he had working on that one? For me, he sounded too much like he did during his campaign trail speechs…every one was calculated, none coming from the heart. Course, everyone grieves differently, but I felt that all the hooping and hollering was disrepectful to the ones this was meant to be for…it sounded too much like a campaign rally! I am sure obama was thrilled. I felt this was nothing more than a wolf in sheeps clothing moment…an alinsky moment of throwing your enemy off balance!
Did someone forget the 3800 people who have died from border violence during all of this? Has anyone even thought to the lives lost because BO wants the border open? And sued the state of AZ? and ICE continues to release illegal aliens arrested in this country only to give them a green card and one illegal during his third DUI hit and killed a nun in VA? He is CAMPAIGNING and silencing conservative speech. He is a dictator. I have seen Bush emotional but look into BO's eyes. He does not feel anyone's pain but his own. Do not be fooled. A month ago he said he needed a crisis to boost his rating!!
The christian thing to do to Loughner is to take him out a nd execute him the way he executed his victims.No trial we all seen him do it,save money and get him to his maker faster.
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