President Obama delivered a powerful and inspirational speech at the memorial service for the victims of last weekend’s shooting in Tucson, Arizona which left six people dead and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords fighting for her life.
Appearing to choke on tears while discussing the death of 9-year-old Christina Greene, Obama commemorated the dead and offered words of comfort those in mourning.
And referring to the belligerent and venomous rhetoric that has crept into American politics in recent years, the President encouraged Americans to talk to each other in a manner “that heals, not in a way that wounds.”
Sarah Palin had Giffords in her sights
News outlets were quick to praise the speech with the Guardian gushing: “It both rose to the moment and transcended it: after days of noise and rancour, he carved out a moment of calm,” while the New York Times called the address “one of his most powerful and uplifting speeches.”
Even the Liberal-baiting network Fox News’ had something nice to say about the speech calling it “inspirational.”
Many US News outlets however were critical of the 14,000 strong audience who turned out to see Obama deliver his speech at the University of Arizona.
“The president’s stunning speech was marred by the feeling of the evening that surrounded it and the appalling behavior of the crowd in Tucson listening to it,” added John Podhoretz of the Post. “It was as though no one in the arena but the immediate mourners and sufferers had the least notion of displaying respectful solemnity in the face of breathtaking loss and terrifying evil.”
Obama’s speech came days after a gunman opened fire at a political meeting outside a supermarket in Tucson.
22-year-old Tucson local Jared Loughner ha been charged with murder.
