Friday, January 14, 2011

America mourns the loss of six: An outsider's point of view




President Obama called on all Americans to get rid off polarity and consoled the country by healing itself as he gave the eulogy to the victims and heroes of last Saturday's shooting spree in Arizona.
The US president spoke at the University of Arizona on 13 January before a crowd of over 26,000--including 13,000 outside the Arizona Stadium.
Watching his speech in a 34-minute YouTube video, Obama paid tribute to the victims particularly the 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green, the youngest among the six who were killed and 14 injured.
He also said that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords "opened her eyes," amidst the cheering listeners.
Obama said, "I want us to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as Christina imagined it. I want America to be as good as she was. All of us--we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations," according to the Los Angeles Times.
The president also said, "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 to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds."
Author's note: I extend my profound condolences to all Americans. This is a time of sorrow and grief. Let it be known that the world also feel sad to this loss.
I deem it universal when Pres. Obama said that there should be no more divisiveness and people work as one. I also agree when he said that the country should work to live up to children's expectations.
If the US president's words will be followed, the world will be happier if we see no more wars anywhere. Guns, nuclear weapons, armies and drone attacks do not heal. They wound us. They kill people in thousands. Innocent ones. And they must stop now. It makes no sense attacking other countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan whose beliefs are different from yours. We are different individuals.
While it is humane not to blame, there are times when it is necessary to do so. It is necessary to squarely face problems and find solutions. If people do not blame and simply put the dirt under the rug, it will accumulate until such time it will be hard to remove because it sticks on the floor. So, don't blame blame. Remember not to forget. It is sometimes useful like in this case.
Did I miss the news about half-mast? If I did, my apologies.
allvoices

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