Obama's Tucson Remarks

The White House Transcript here.

So many words being pushed out over this event, to be sure.

OS has just a few:

1. For the first time, Obama actually had a well-written speech, that was not about him. He should have thought through his remark that tied his visit with Rep. Giffords later opening her eyes. It was not intended to impart the aura of Obama-as-Healer, but given his oratorical track record of years past, a simple report of her progress that did not mention his presence would have served better. It appears to be a departure from the prepared remarks, and he does not share Ronald Reagan's famous gift for the language or natural empathy for others.

2. The temptation to use the occasion to open up on his political adversaries must have been huge, and he resisted. Which is a good thing, because had he followed his normal instincts, the civic well would be utterly toxic from this morning forward.

3. OS's experience with PeopleOfTheLeft is that they view words as noises one makes in order to get one's way--that they have no intrinsic meaning or value. Only power matters. Tomorrow, we'll make another set of noises to get our way, and stuff yesterday's noises down the old Memory Hole. So, here's hoping the President understood the words written for him to speak, and that on some level, he understands that the speaking and publication of those words is a serious act. And that millions of people view language as something that conveys concrete meaning.

So sudden loss causes us to look backward -– but it also forces us to look forward; to reflect on the present and the future, on the manner in which we live our lives and nurture our relationships with those who are still with us.

We may ask ourselves if we’ve shown enough kindness and generosity and compassion to the people in our lives. Perhaps we question whether we're doing right by our children, or our community, whether our priorities are in order.

We recognize our own mortality, and we are reminded that in the fleeting time we have on this Earth, what matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame -– but rather, how well we have loved -- and what small part we have played in making the lives of other people better.

And that process -- that process of reflection, of making sure we align our values with our actions –- that, I believe, is what a tragedy like this requires.

Here's hoping.

Prayers and condolences to the victims. God preserve the republic.

Malkin On The Climate Of Hate: A Primer

Fascinating reading.

HT Denninger.

Denninger Weighs In On The Leftist Rants

He even has facts at hand, something Leftists disdain.

The Arizona shooting was a tragedy, but increasingly it is evident that it was the act of a deranged individual, not a political act.

Introduction: Jared Loughner, The Arizona Gunman...

...is a deranged individual...

This bizarre YouTube posting should give some insight.

Bill Clinton Tells Us: Words Matter

Brad DeLong, of the Economics faculty at UC Berkely, shares this post with us.

This, of course, is posted in the aftermath of the tragedy in Arizona. Expect a wave of commentary to the effect that all who publicly disagree with the Vision of Obama share culpability with the deranged man who opened fire.

Strange that DeLong would cite Clinton on the subject, but then again, that Memory Hole seems to be working well for Bill, since Clinton actually appears sane compared to Obama.

So, OS ruminates in response here, since it is unlikely Prof. DeLong will tolerate such impudence from his readership:

Well, yes, words do have meaning.

It is interesting to hear these words emerge from the lips of the man who vociferously declared: I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky; and is most remembered for his most famous turn of phrase 'That would depend on what your meaning of the word 'is' is.'

It is good at last to see that Mr. Clinton finally agrees with the rest of us that words have meaning, and that they matter. His current successor has used the words 'enemies' and 'hostage takers' to describe those who disagree with him, and these words uttered quite recently.

So, indeed it is a good thing to witness Mr. Clinton utter sounds that sound like the words we understand to mean '...the words we use really do matter...'

Let's hope at last he understands them, and means them.

Perhaps, on his next visit back in his old 'hood, he could even remind the current occupant...

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO: The Attack On Congresswoman Giffords

This is not acceptable. Period.

Not for any reason. To disagree with someone is not a license to murder.

Late last year, OS aired his fears about violence breaking out.

Folks, when we allow this, or in any way-shape-or-form condone it, we open the door for tragedy. As has been stated here before: Once the genie of violence is let out of his cage, events have a way of taking a tragic turn, completely unforseeable, completely unimaginable.

Let's remember where the shelling of Fort Sumpter took us in 1861-65.

Or the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand in 1914-1918, which led to 1939-1945.

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!

This is not the way.

Prayers for the victims are called for.

And if anyone who reads this scribble thinks he has any justification for picking up a gun and shooting an elected official, he is dead wrong.