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.