Open thread: Obama’s speech in Arizona
posted at 7:43 pm on January 12, 2011 by Allahpundit
The memorial service should be underway at 8 p.m. ET, naturally airing live on all the cable news nets. I hope he does well; the victims deserve a thoughtful tribute. But I can’t say I’m cheered by the overt “branding,” replete with … souvenir t-shirts? It may not be the White House that’s behind it, but then, we no longer need facts to blame politicians for stuff they didn’t do.
Bryan Preston has the program for the service and wonders why Napolitano and Holder are speaking. She’s a former governor of Arizona and he’s technically the lead prosecutor, so I can understand if they’re there simply to express condolences. If they’re there because O decided there should be a “rhetoric” component to the evening and he wanted to stay above the fray by farming it out to underlings, well, let’s just say it’ll be a long night at the ol’ blog homestead later. (Bryan makes a good point about Napolitano, as head of DHS, possibly trying to frame this as an act of terrorism. Was Hinckley a terrorist too?) I’ve noted this before but Philip Klein puts it better than I did: Any possibility of a sincere debate on “rhetoric” became impossible when the left turned this from a national tragedy into a voodoo ritual. And if any of tonight’s speakers bring it up, inevitably that’s precisely how it’ll be seen.
I’ll leave you with this clip of Boehner and Pelosi honoring the victims with today’s House resolution. Giffords’s prognosis continues to be good, albeit obviously uncertain.
Blowback
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Yes, that’s what i meant – the victim’s families wanted an upbeat tribute as per Fox News’ Grif Jenkins – he’s on the ground in AZ.
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Lurker trolls? I thought a lurker was someone who doesn’t post and a troll is supposed to be someone who posts provocative messages. Seems like one can’t be a troll and a lurker simultaneously.
FWIW I signed up about the same time Ed came over, I didn’t know Ed was part of Al Qaeda.
OK, back to lurking.
HeavyHair on January 12, 2011 at 10:11 PM
And here I thought you were above the name calling./
CWforFreedom on January 12, 2011 at 10:11 PM
The crazy. It burns….
Grow Fins on January 12, 2011 at 10:12 PM
She’s dangerous, all right. To your political Party and your political ideology.
The fact that you keep proving how scared you are of her here proves it.
Del Dolemonte on January 12, 2011 at 10:12 PM
Paul Wellstone smiles
CWforFreedom on January 12, 2011 at 10:13 PM
I’m sure they all got OBAMA 2012 slurpee mugs at the breakout.
owlpellets on January 12, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Is this like some kind of new conspiracy theory?
Grif Jenkins from Fox is on the ground in Tucson, spoke to the vistim’s families and this is what they wanted.
I feel sorry for you that you would see evil in something that was requested by their loved ones….
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:13 PM
So, Obama delivered the good news, that Gabby Giffords for the first time opened her eyes today. And we’re all very happy and hopeful about that. But, he did mention it was after he had a chance to visit her. Hmmm? Messiah 2.0? What a fraud. ✪
TXUS on January 12, 2011 at 10:14 PM
I followed TweetDeck (I twitted Allah and Ed) but Tammy Bruce was a hoot. If political discourse is really over as some independents and some possible libs wrote, my blogging career will be ovah!
I tweeted the GOP and tcot the same, and added to that that it’s time now to defend Palin and stand with her. It’s time. I am watching very closely.
ProudPalinFan on January 12, 2011 at 10:14 PM
No, you know what’s carzy?
This
darwin on January 12, 2011 at 10:14 PM
Says the mistress of Manhattan miseducation. Keep submitting yourself. I’ll just keep living in reality.
HornetSting on January 12, 2011 at 10:14 PM
canopfor on January 12, 2011 at 9:47 PM
=========
Howdy to my fave Canadian. They have managed to turn this tragedy into a circus. Ten bucks, next to the concession stand there was face painting and a voter registration.
I hope the victims can rest in peace, those they left behind can know peace, and the rest still fighting to recover know that we are praying for them.
HornetSting on January 12, 2011 at 9:54 PM
HornetSting:Circus is being too kind:)
canopfor on January 12, 2011 at 10:15 PM
I can smell the brimstone all the way in NYC…
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:15 PM
This was not a memorial service to honor the victims; it was some sort of hoe down to honor all of the sickness in society.
mobydutch on January 12, 2011 at 10:15 PM
Please, enlighten us as to which school you attended. We want to be sure that we never make the mistake of recommending said school to anyone.
GrannyDee on January 12, 2011 at 10:15 PM
The comments on this site are beginning to reflect the same partisan tripe that turned LGF into the sh*thole it now is.
Everyone needs to CHILL.
You-Eh-Vee on January 12, 2011 at 10:15 PM
Then they should have trotted out a New Orleans funeral procession with nObama leading the parade and Michelle bringing up the rear……….
dmann on January 12, 2011 at 10:16 PM
I only post when I feel the need to such as interest, insomnia, or boredom. Mostly I don’t. I guess that’s really like those heroic Al Qaeda. Just lying in wait to post something on a new blog.
Oh wait they actually murder people and cut their heads off on video. I can see how its the same thing.
Magnus on January 12, 2011 at 10:16 PM
I kept asking @jaketapper and some others if this was being broadcasted to the ISS.
ProudPalinFan on January 12, 2011 at 10:16 PM
A pulled video. OMG!!!!! CRazeeeeeeee!!!!
Grow Fins on January 12, 2011 at 10:16 PM
Fully aware of the Bugs references. He insults them too.
Del Dolemonte on January 12, 2011 at 10:16 PM
Well, nevermind. I suppose Youtube didn’t like death threats on it’s site.
darwin on January 12, 2011 at 10:16 PM
Well,its good to see that,
Counselor…COTUSA was leaving Political Discourse
out of the memorial!!
canopfor on January 12, 2011 at 10:16 PM
Again…ahem…it’s what the victim’s familes requested…not everyone sees things in political points for their side.
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:17 PM
It was. Just a compilation of your friends threatening to kill Palin, or hoping she gets cancer and dies horribly. Nothing out of the ordinary for you guys. You’ve probably seen and done it all before.
darwin on January 12, 2011 at 10:18 PM
Right … typically it’s democrats that see political opportunity in every tragic death.
darwin on January 12, 2011 at 10:19 PM
every lefty sure does.
right4life on January 12, 2011 at 10:19 PM
Oh, this is rich. You better alert Barack H. Obama. You know him, right? You know, that fancy school and all.
HornetSting on January 12, 2011 at 10:19 PM
Why because the POTUS & wife are black?
Why would anyone in AZ do something indeginous to New Orleans?
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:19 PM
I don’t particularly want Palin elected President either. Are those automatically my friends too?
You-Eh-Vee on January 12, 2011 at 10:20 PM
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Hornet Sting, see what happens when you stay away for too long.
mobydutch on January 12, 2011 at 10:21 PM
Oh girl – don’t go there, you’ve known me long enough….
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:21 PM
Get lost, pig.
tigerlily on January 12, 2011 at 10:21 PM
Are you a leftist nutbag?
darwin on January 12, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Meanwhile, you’re pathetic and NOT entertaining, and definitely easy. It must be that submissive position you are so fond of…
lovingmyUSA on January 12, 2011 at 10:22 PM
You would think SOMEONE could kill the mold while I’m away…how YOU doin’, mobydutch?
HornetSting on January 12, 2011 at 10:22 PM
WTF? What does that mean?
darwin on January 12, 2011 at 10:23 PM
I think they let the locals plan most of this, yes. For that very reason, so they couldn’t be accused of trying to make it into a campaign event. I don’t think the Obama people would have chosen this venue or this format at all. It would have been far more professional if they’d been in charge.
Making it about the t-shirts is like all those people who criticized Bush for holding up the fake turkey when he went to Iraq for Thanksgiving back in 2003. It’s petty and ultimately pointless because nobody with an ounce of sense gives a flying fig newton if the turkey was fake or if some college kids handed out t-shirts at a memorial.
Bennett on January 12, 2011 at 10:23 PM
No, I’m a normal, working, contributing member to society Conservative.
So?
You-Eh-Vee on January 12, 2011 at 10:23 PM
Maybe I’m old at the tender age of 31, but I thought you’d get the Bugs Bunny reference.
Magnus on January 12, 2011 at 10:01 PM
Fully aware of the Bugs references. He insults them too.
Del Dolemonte on January 12, 2011 at 10:16 PM
Del Dolemonte:)
=====================================================
Kill The Wabbit(Wabbit Slayer)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyxO8Q8la8g&feature=related
Oops,heres the Opera Version
Kill The Wabbit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGhQ2BDt4VE&feature=related
canopfor on January 12, 2011 at 10:24 PM
uh not a girl, sweety. sorry.
right4life on January 12, 2011 at 10:24 PM
http://sonoranchronicle.com/2011/01/09/giffords-survives-the-night-can-open-eyes/
Ms. Giffords opened her eyes three days ago according to her doctors. If Obama cared he would know that. Or he knew and lied for theatrical effect.
finallyhere on January 12, 2011 at 10:24 PM
You would think SOMEONE could kill the mold while I’m away…how YOU doin’, mobydutch?
HornetSting on January 12, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Nobody kills mold like you!!!
mobydutch on January 12, 2011 at 10:24 PM
That was not anything the families requested. It was a freaking political rally. It wasn’t upbeat, it was grotesque. It wasn’t a memorial, it was a left wing embarrassment, a pro wrestling match. I cannot get over him waving to the crowds.
kit9 on January 12, 2011 at 10:24 PM
No, I’ve never met him – my sister has, and my twin brother – when they joined the campaign during the general.
People who were here then would remember, I wrote about it often, about my Republican parents being y upset over it, as well as my Nana.
I know Rudy – my parents are friends and supported him initially, campaigned for him.
I always supported McCain – but thought about Huckabee for a split second.
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:25 PM
This is a Roman Catholic mass.
cjw79 on January 12, 2011 at 8:42 PM
=====
Get lost, pig.
tigerlily on January 12, 2011 at 10:21 PM
tigerlily:Thats Hate RHETRIC,er wait,thats what Leftys
are say`n,I mean sell`n!(sarc):)
canopfor on January 12, 2011 at 10:26 PM
umm, maybe because New Orleans is reputed to have raucous funeral celebrations?
Way to turn first to the race card. That’s some education you’ve got!
alwaysfiredup on January 12, 2011 at 10:27 PM
You know, honestly, I really don’t give a damn. It is nice to learn that you are surrounded by nutbags, though. It makes perfect sense.
HornetSting on January 12, 2011 at 10:28 PM
Not according to Fox News.
Here we go again with the intellectual entitlement – I know more than the victim’s families, it just can’t be the case, it doesn’t fit into my political ideas about Obama & the situation…
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:28 PM
It burns….
Grow Fins on January 12, 2011 at 10:12 PM
Yup, ever time you post here.
Does somebody have some penicillin?
Colbyjack on January 12, 2011 at 10:28 PM
Here’s a little palate cleanser for the evening to assuage the Obama induced heartburn. Some conservative sorbet, if you will.
Mike Lee Defends Tea Party
TxAnn56 on January 12, 2011 at 10:28 PM
And suddenly Fox is an unimpeachable source? You crack me up.
alwaysfiredup on January 12, 2011 at 10:29 PM
Grow Fins is a leftist nutbag. What’s your point?
darwin on January 12, 2011 at 10:29 PM
Whatever – you don’t know Rudy or my parents, they all happen to be good people.
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:29 PM
Umm you DO know that the turkey was NOT fake, but it was the typical meme of the Left to say it was…What would have happened if Bush had done this at the Virginia Tech memorial? It was crass and disgusting to have a theme, logo, and t-shirts at a “memorial”. They could’ve called it a pep rally for the uniting of Tuscon…This definitely was NOT a memorial…
lovingmyUSA on January 12, 2011 at 10:29 PM
The media truly DRIVES THIS CULTURE.
Yes, it was a terrible tragedy in Tucson but the 5 days of non-stop coverage and national hand-wringing and shreiking? Really?
All life on the planet has ceased? Really?
One decent attack over the last 9 years in Afghanistan or Iraq could double the carnage we saw last Saturday in Arizona.
Do we really need a NATIONAL MEMORIAL SERVICE (ala Wellstone) every time the media determines that the President needs to come hug people that were victims of a murderer? People that he is forced to pretend he cares about? Politicians become our national counselors or Huggers?
One night in Detroit you can have half a dozen killed in Gangland violence or drive bys. Where’s the perspective here?
Tragedy? Yes
Horrible? Yes
Flags at half mast every couple of weeks all across the U.S.A.? Really is that necessary?
Talk about toning down the rhetoric? How about the MEDIA CALM DOWN and unwad their proverbial panties everytime a tragedy happens.
TRAGEDY TV at it’s worst.
PappyD61 on January 12, 2011 at 10:30 PM
Cain’t be, cause the SauerKraut or FOX News would know this and since the Chitown Jesus says he saw it for the first time five times it must be true. Fact remains this was an inappropriate use of a memorial service for OBLahBLahs self gratification and a campaign speech.
“Cousin Eddie” as classless and clueless as ever and as Donald trump said today the world laughs at the boy clown and his Presstitutes. There is no fear or respect for America any longer our allies and enemies laugh and for that the Iranians, North Koreans, Chinese, Russians are emboldened and our allies in danger. That from Trump!
dhunter on January 12, 2011 at 10:31 PM
Why would Greta put Grif Jenkins on to lie?
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:31 PM
That a rapidly growing trend on this website is to viciously attack anyone who doesn’t wanted Palin for President.
Good to know you’re not one of them.
You-Eh-Vee on January 12, 2011 at 10:31 PM
Let’s contrast this piece of junk with President Bush’s speech at Virginia Tech following the massacre at my college.
My Background:
SgtSVJones on January 12, 2011 at 10:31 PM
And you were so charitable with me!
My accuser! So charitable!
Inanemergencydial on January 12, 2011 at 10:32 PM
You guys cannot handle the truth.
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:33 PM
The pictures I have seen of audience members with their teeshirts on gatewaypundit didn’t show drunk students, it showed what looks like SEIU zombies. Perhaps the union thugs were in charge of filling seats.
slickwillie2001 on January 12, 2011 at 10:34 PM
But you lashed out at me first.
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:34 PM
Thanks for the perspective.
darwin on January 12, 2011 at 10:35 PM
Where do you live?
darwin on January 12, 2011 at 10:36 PM
You do know the difference between “upbeat” and “raucous”, dignified as opposed to “circus atmosphere”? I mean, you did go to a private school…
lovingmyUSA on January 12, 2011 at 10:36 PM
Grow Fins:
Still waiting for you to explain how Sarah Palin can be a dangerous joke since they contradict each other. Your lack of answer is quite telling.
mizflame98 on January 12, 2011 at 10:36 PM
Maybe OBlah BLah should have taken the high road and called off his dogs:
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/01/12/palin-aide-shes-getting-death-threats-at-unprecedented-levels/
Tell me who the haters are. The left calls for Sarahs head because she dares dissent from their Messiah. This Jackass should call off the hounds!
dhunter on January 12, 2011 at 10:38 PM
I have seen nothing of the sort from you, but thanks! :)
alwaysfiredup on January 12, 2011 at 10:39 PM
But that’s the point isn’t it? It doesn’t matter if the turkey was fake or not, it was just a way to demean and ridicule the President, pick on some irrelevant aspect of his visit and try and make him look bad because the trip to Iraq was a really cool thing to do and he pulled it off beautifully. So his critics try and find something to distract everyone. Same with the t-shirts. Obama gave a perfectly acceptable speech, he did well with it, and so his critics want everyone to focus on the t-shirts instead.
I don’t know any of the victims personally (and I’m sure you don’t either), so I don’t need any comforting here. I have no idea if the people who DO need comforting are offended by the t-shirts or the cheering. If they aren’t, I’m not really seeing why the rest of us should be.
Bennett on January 12, 2011 at 10:40 PM
Yeah and I hear the “victims’ families” want a mosque at Ground Zero.
The Mega Independent on January 12, 2011 at 10:40 PM
Cuba, naturally. On a Marine base, eating breakfast three hundred yards from Cubans trained to kill her. /
HornetSting on January 12, 2011 at 10:40 PM
I reported what Grif said – they got what they requested.
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:42 PM
No one can “bring up the rear” like Michelle. In fact, her rear has its own Zip Code.
bw222 on January 12, 2011 at 10:43 PM
U of A doesn’t start school until tomorrow….so, were all those “students” really students?
Having been through a couple SEIU handled events locally (Kerry/Edwards and Obama/Biden) and remembering the basic “type” seen at those rallies, after looking over the video caps thus far, seems that U of A has a lot of students who look like they would be more comfortable on a loading dock or county garage somewhere.
coldwarrior on January 12, 2011 at 10:44 PM
Not quite, I am in my loft in West Chelsea looking out over the Westside Highway & the Hudson – far from Cuba….
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:44 PM
Only in distance.
HornetSting on January 12, 2011 at 10:47 PM
Owhat’shisname did well in his speech tonight. I’ll give him that.
Let’s wait to see if his faithful minions heed his exhortations … they most likely cringed at his words of bipartisanship and reconciliation.
ORrighty on January 12, 2011 at 10:47 PM
again, trying to revised what really happened, what was requested.
You guys will make yourself sick…let go of it.
He did good, the Governor did good despite the moonbats fuming and the country came together dispite you guys & the KOS kids.
Charles Krauthammer, Greta, Grif Jenkins all are doing their jobs, life goes on….
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:48 PM
Oh they did – some of the extreme moonbats are furious…
AprilOrit on January 12, 2011 at 10:50 PM
Arizona Massacre Bump for Obama in 3…2…1…
profitsbeard on January 12, 2011 at 10:51 PM
Mourning the dead is really a holdover from the Founders anyway. These days, we kill the young and old to save a buck. People are only bags of matter anyway, no different than a mouse or a cow. The only thing to mourn is the loss of labor for The Greater Good. Right April?
hawksruleva on January 12, 2011 at 10:54 PM
Called you out on your BS I did.
Have a wonderful snowy day in NYC.
Inanemergencydial on January 12, 2011 at 10:58 PM
I live in Roanoke, and I really do wonder how long people will remember. I was working in a newsroom that day, and I know I’ll never forget the things I saw and heard that day, even secondhand. I can’t imagine an event like I saw tonight taking place in Blacksburg.
hawksruleva on January 12, 2011 at 10:58 PM
I believe you to be SPOT ON.
Sad to say … but “O” did well to persuade the people otherwise.
He was better than “at his best”.
ORrighty on January 12, 2011 at 11:02 PM
The Paul
WellstoneTombstone Memorial: The Sequel.Pathetic.
Most divisive, partisan, POS ever in American politics.
pdigaudio on January 12, 2011 at 11:07 PM
I have never seen a crime so politicized as this one, and now we have speakers at this event making it all about them. Tragic on so many levels.
jediwebdude on January 12, 2011 at 11:14 PM
Well, they have a rather large dorm population, they would all be back by now.
I think that angle of this thing tonight (the “students”) is what really FUBARED this thing up. Seems to me they could have chosen a more somber place to hold the service, such as a military facility (Davis-Monthan?).
Know why the college kids turned it into a political rally? Because 90% of them have probably never even had to go to a Memorial Service or a funeral in their lives, and don’t know how to behave. They’re only 17 or 18 years old. Hell, my father’s sister didn’t even have to go to her own father’s funeral until she was 68 years old. And that old old coot (my paternal grandfather) outlived a son and a grandson too.
I’ve been to (and had to plan several) “memorial services” over the past few years. They should have a balance of solemn and of humor, as laughter is the best medicine. But what I saw tonight was over the top. As I said the problem was the college kids.
Del Dolemonte on January 12, 2011 at 11:18 PM
There’s a big difference between ‘upbeat’ and ‘circus.’
LASue on January 12, 2011 at 11:19 PM
Mark Levin – I will Sue Anyone That Says I Had A Hand In The Tucson Murders
Nearly Nobody on January 12, 2011 at 11:25 PM
Ever seen the Looney Toons that have long not been allowed to be shown, because they are “politically incorrect”, or “too violent”, or “racist”?
“Bushy Hare” is never shown any more because it insults Australian Aborigines. “My Bunny Lies Over The Sea” and “Wearing Of The Grin” are now rarely shown, because they insult the Scots and the Irish.
“Quack Shot” has been banned, because Fudd keeps shooting Daffy point-blank in the face. Of course, Fudd also does that in “Wabbit Season”, but “Quack Shot” got banned because Elmer also dared to catch fish.
Del Dolemonte on January 12, 2011 at 11:32 PM
“I can see Nutley New Jersey from my home.”
“Also the Tick-Tock Diner”
Del Dolemonte on January 12, 2011 at 11:34 PM
ABC Nightline
“The President gave a POWERFUL ADDRESS”
It starts.
Del Dolemonte on January 12, 2011 at 11:36 PM
I can see that Obama is still living rent free in the heads of the Palinbots…. too bad they can’t stop long enough to listen to the message…
Bradky on January 12, 2011 at 11:37 PM
When did it stop?
The Mega Independent on January 12, 2011 at 11:42 PM
All one has to do is watch the families during the outbursts of inappropriate cat calls and applause. They sat motionless. The families, the state of Arizona, and the rest of the country deserved a dignified solemn memorial. What they got was a gaudy despicable circus designed to give Obama a forum to connect with Americans. But as usual, he came across as the opportunist sleazeball that he is.
csdeven on January 12, 2011 at 11:50 PM
This bit about Giffords opening her eyes three days ago. If true, it sinks Obama’s speech and all the trained seals who are applauding it right now. It’s a BFD, if you know what I mean.
But is it true? If so, spread the word, morons (oops, this isn’t Ace. Sorry.)
MaxMBJ on January 12, 2011 at 11:51 PM
Never. The left is fired up and the only thing that will stop them is a Stonewall.
A hard, cold, unforgiving Stonewall of Americanism.
Roy Rogers on January 12, 2011 at 11:51 PM
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