Obama's Tucson Speech: A Defining Moment

When President Obama took the stage in Tucson the applause was reminiscent of when he was campaigning in 2008.

This was the President's chance to fully comment on these events and help Arizona and the country heal together.

Credit: Chicago Sun Times

Mr. Obama assured the audience and the nation, "I come as an American who kneels to pray with you today and will stand by you tomorrow."

He made it a point to note "There is nothing I can say that will fill the sudden hole torn in your hearts," but assured Americans saying, "we will pull through."

Mr. Obama highlighted the lives of each victim of the shooting and what part they played in the tragedy.

He spoke as if he knew each of these people personally, and though he didn't, it was something that connected the President to the tragedy and did justice to each of the victims which have forever been intertwined with American history.

"Our hearts are broken by their sudden passing," said Mr. Obama, but then he gave the crowd a piece of information which would fill their hearts with joy. 

Mr. Obama spoke of congresswoman Giffords opening her eyes for the first time and the crowd erupted with applause and cheer. He strongly said, "She knows that we are rooting for her."

The President also commented on the political tone which was swirling around stories related to the Tucson tragedy stating, "It's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking to each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds."

Credit: MSNBC

Mr. Obama noted that "We have to examine all the facts behind this tragedy." He continued to put forth partisanship and stated "what we cannot do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on each other." He asked Americans to "use this occasion to listen to each other more carefully."

The President then took his speech in the direction of becoming a better America by cherishing those around us. He urged Americans to let the ones we love dearly know our feelings for them, often. Mr. Obama said to the crowd with thunderous applause, "in the fleeting time we have on this earth...what matters is how well we have loved."

Credit: AP

The President urged that a more civil and honest public discourse can help us face the challenges of our nation, "in a way that would make them (the victims) proud."

Mr. Obama's speech continued to put forth his belief that "we are full of decency and goodness," and "the forces that divide us are not as strong as those that divide us."

The President ended by using Christina Taylor-Green's high expectations of politicians like Giffords and the democratic process in general to speak on how America can become a better nation. "I want to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it."

The President urged Americans to "live up to our children's expectations."

Transcript of the Speech from CBS

Palin's "Blood Libel" Video

Sarah Palin released this video in response to not only the Tucson shooting, but to the recent media criticism of her violent metaphoric political speech. Check out the video and draw your own conclusions. Take the poll below and have your opinion heard!

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Tuesday Roundup. Toning Down The Rhetoric?

In the aftermath of the Arizona shooting, many politicians and commentators are calling for a toning down of the rhetoric in the country.

Giffords herself spoke in the above video about how violent metaphors created a dangerous atmosphere in her state. She assured, though,  that she was "not afraid."


Giffords in quoted in the video as stating, "I think its important for all leaders to say..look we can't stand for this."

The Washington Post recently published a story about how politicians are suggesting that making less heated comments about certain issues may slow down the frequency of violent shootings linked to politics in the country.


Through the left leaning media, there was much to do about comments made by politicians like Sharon Angle, who has suggested "second amendment remedies" to political problems. 


The rhetoric curbing story seems to be affecting both sides of the political spectrum, as Politico.com reports politicians like Pat Buchanan are calling for a movement "away from the military or the armed metaphors"


Comments from Democrat John Kerry also suggest that the real issue is what "violence, divisive, overly simplistic dialogue does to our democracy every day."


From MSNBC we have seen commentators like Chris Matthews discussing the impact of radical conservative radio in the shooting. Keith Olbermann continued to make Sarah Palin's lack of comment about her "cross-hairs" map or on the shooting in general. Throughout the day there have been numerous debates on what part politics played in the Arizona shooting.

In the above video, Olbermann's special comment calls for an end to the gun rhetoric in politics.


Poltico confirms Palin's slip by not commenting on her "gun rhetoric" in a recent post. The reactions of many 2012 presidential candidates have been connected to this event. 


Even the United Kingdom's press is weighing in on the poltical climate of the United States.


We have seen responses from right-wing commentators, and Fox News continues to deny any link from any right-wing rhetoric to the shooting.

The finger-pointing continued as Tea party activist Sal Russo claimed that Jared Loughner was "obviously a leftist."


Interestingly enough, there has been no link from any political radio or television that has shown to have influenced Loughner in his actions.


A recent CBS news poll shows that 57 percent of Americans think that the American political tone had nothing to do with the shooting.

Capital Punishment If Loughner Found Guilty?

Among the charges against Jared Loughner, he is facing two counts of killing federal employees on duty. If found guilty, these charges can result in capital punishment.


If Lougner is found guilty and the death penalty is deemed a acceptable by a jury, he faces lethal injection.


As the Loughner's trial pans out, there should be a national debate on whether or not capital punishment is acceptable in this situation. There should be strong evidence for, due to the nature of the crime and the victims of the crime, which  include a nine year old girl.


Representative Gabrielle Giffords' health will play a key role in the trial as well. She remains in critical condition.


Determining whether or not Loughner was a sane individual, will be a deciding factor in the trial.


According to the Death Penalty Information Center, the state of Arizona has executed 24 people since 1976.


Take the poll below and voice your opinion on this case.

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Jared Loughner Charged In Tucson Massacre

Only a week into 2011, the United States is facing its first tragedy of the year. In Tucson, Arizona A gunman opened fire on a crowd outside of a supermarket during a Congresswoman's gathering with members of her community.

According to the Associated press, 22-year-old Jared Loughner has been charged with the shooting, which was responsible for six deaths and 13 wounded. Among those wounded included Representative Gabrielle Giffords.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

The charges against Loughner include first-degree murder, attempted murder counts and attempting to kill a member of Congress.

President Obama commented on Saturday's tragedy and offered encouraging and kind words about Giffords and the other victims. Mr. Obama said of Giffords, "she is currently in a hospital in the area, and she is battling for her life."

Mr. Obama spoke with grief for the victims and urged Americans to come together noting "I ask all Americans to join me and Michelle in keeping all the victims and their families, including Gabby, in our thoughts and prayers."

The president was assuring when speaking of how authorities would deal with the crime saying, "we are going to get to the bottom of this and we are going to get through this."

New Speaker of the House John Boehner also released a statement of condolences for Rep. Giffords and her family. 

“I am horrified by the senseless attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and members of her staff.  An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve.  Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society.  Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, all who were injured, and their families.  This is a sad day for our country."

Jared Loughner

Reports out of the Associated Press and USA Today profile Loughner as a bizarre college student, who displayed off behavior in class.

According to an Associated Press release, the FBI have been thoroughly searching his online footprints including Myspace and YouTube to look for any hints of his reason behind the alleged action.

On the morning of the shooting is last post on his Myspace read  

"Goodbye."

As well as, "Dear friends, Please don't be mad at me."


A photo from his Myspace page shows a handgun on top of a United States History textbook.

Some of Loughner's rhetoric on the internet was very anti-government and may be a deciding factor in linking him to the premeditated shooting of Giffords.

As of Sunday, Rep. Giffords is in critical condition.  

Loughner is scheduled to appear in court today.