Tucson Memorial Service

[jsteele]

Is anyone watching this? Maybe I'm missing something, but so far it seems to be terribly inappropriate. More like a pep rally.

[Anonymous]

Ugh. I agree, at least so far.

[Anonymous]

I thought the beginning was very inappropriate, when people were squealing and whistling as Obama took the stage. But memorial services really are for the living, and it's obviously something that's bringing some comfort to those involved. But to me, watching it on TV, it never seems free of a political undercurrent. And I love Obama as president.

[Anonymous]

I dunno. Everyone who is present there seems to be very united by it and inspired it. I get it. Not sure why the crowd was acting like it was a pep rally but I think the service is really nice.

[Anonymous]

I totally agree with the OP, the hooting and whistling and cheering for various speakers is just horrifying. I've been listening to the President's speech. I don't think it rises to the level of some of his greatest stuff on the campaign trail. I'm crying nonethless of course; how can you not? But honestly I wish his rhetoric had been a little more transcendant; instead parts seemed really cheesy. But maybe my hopes were unrealistically high just because he is such a great speechmaker. And while the First Lady is amazing, what's with the outfit? A cardigan and a party dress to a memorial service? It would have been more appropriate for her to wear a suit given the formality of such an occasion.

[Anonymous]

The whole thing is wierd.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure many of you are not listening to Fox News like my husband, but the commentators have been very complimentary about President Obama's words--calling it a powerful (although not brilliant) speech. Re the inappropriate cheering, they're saying that many in the audience were students and that Obama looked uncomfortable when they first started doing that.

[Anonymous]

He did look uncomfortable. The whole dynamic was just weird. But, people there definitely seemed comforted, so that's something.

[Anonymous]

The only reason that Fox is complimenting Obama is to play nice since them putting gun targets caused this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only reason that Fox is complimenting Obama is to play nice since them putting gun targets caused this.

I'm sorry that you aren't able to accept a complimentary post about President Obama without a dig at Fox News.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only reason that Fox is complimenting Obama is to play nice since them putting gun targets caused this.

BLOOD LIBEL. http://american-conservativevalues.com/blog/democrats-have-their-own-target-map-and-bulls-eye-map.html

[Anonymous]

My dh and I have had the same reaction. It was just not bizarre and inappropriate. I don't think it is the prez's or anyone else's place to tell those families when to forgive this horror. He should have just met with the families privately and then gotten out of town. The cheering and clapping turned my stomach. I am an Obama supporter but sometime the whole "ruling by committee" thing result in these sorts of gaffes.

I just sobbed for that little girl. It is too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only reason that Fox is complimenting Obama is to play nice since them putting gun targets caused this.

As the folks say: I know that's right.

[Anonymous]

I also frankly did not understand Holder and Napolitano reading Bible verses. The whole thing was bizarre. I wish Obama at the start had said soemthing like, "Thank you for the warm welcome, but let's remember why we are here."

Double ugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dh and I have had the same reaction. It was just not bizarre and inappropriate. I don't think it is the prez's or anyone else's place to tell those families when to forgive this horror. He should have just met with the families privately and then gotten out of town. The cheering and clapping turned my stomach. I am an Obama supporter but sometime the whole "ruling by committee" thing result in these sorts of gaffes.

I just sobbed for that little girl. It is too much.

PP here, meant to say it was bizarre and inappropriate...