Yeah, that was kinda odd. But it
was in a college auditorium, and not a cemetery - and the President
is kinda a rock star. But still, I found it a tad inappropriate.
That all stopped once Obama started speaking. I thought his remarks were pitch-perfect and typically wonderful. I cried like a baby during the segment where he detailed the lives and loves of the dead. If there were any more stringent points I'd like him to have made addressing violent political rhetoric, I understand him skirting the issue deftly and with the high-mindedness appropriate to the occasion and his own particular temperament.
Yet without stooping to the meanness of meaning to, he sure made mincemeat of Sarah Palin in yesterday's unofficial Statesmanship 101 face-off.
If only more of a presidency's success depended on being a wonderful orator, Obama would be one of the best pressies evar. Still, for the many times the job requires such soothing and inspiring speaking skills, we certainly elected the right man for the job.
I truly hope our country does one day meet our children's expectations, as the president so eloquently exhorted at his speech's end ... but I fear we don't have enough time left as a nation to achieve anything like that goal.
Still ... Obama's urgings to do the best we can were welcome reminders, and I hope some good may yet come from this terrible tragedy.