President Obama just finished his (great) speech to the nation about the events in Newtown. The gist of it:
President Barack Obama, the father of two daughters, brought “the love and prayers of a nation” Sunday to the people of Newtown, Conn., in an emotional address at an interfaith vigil after he visited with the parents of the 20 boys and girls who were killed Friday in their elementary school classroom.
“Newtown, you are not alone,” the president said. “As these difficult days have unfolded, you have also inspired us with stories of strength and resolve and sacrifice.” (Via)
But goddamn, the most affecting part occurred backstage, via @krupali, when Obama surrounded himself with children from Newtown, CT. LOOK AT THE LITTLE GIRL IN THE PINK DRESS. It’s been a bleak couple of days, but this photo’s 439x more powerful than anything the monsters of the world could could ever come up with.
Here’s the speech.
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It’s times like this where I’m really fucking happy Obama won in November.
If Romney had tried to hug them with his robotic arms the death toll might have risen.
@LastTexansFan & @kazoshay, I agree completely with both of those statements.
I agree that this is a good thing, but why drag the politics here? I would hope that any president would do this in the face of a tragedy. I’m not attempting to be a wet blanket, but the election is over.
I wasn’t trying to play politics, or (God forbid) make a joke. I just think Obama can portray empathy and heart felt sadness a lot better than Romney could. Everytime Romney tried to portray a human emotion it looked like his robot brain was attempting to upload a file. Right now, we needed someone who can connect on a visceral level, and I’m glad it was O.
Say a prayer or throw some good mojo the way of those clergymen and women who spoke tonight. How they’re keeping their shit together and supporting their community I’ll never know. I know for a fact that RC priest who spoke after the President has eight funerals to perform this week, most of them for little kids.
I know that because the previous pastor of that RC church is now retired and assisting at the church I attend. He’s in such shock, he got up to speak this morning and could barely form sentences.
Thanks for thinking of the clergy folks. My husband is a minister, and also a dad, and I know that even though he’d get the job done and be a comfort to the families (he’s good at funerals–is that weird to say?), he’d be scarred for life from the experience. It’s not easy to comfort others when you are also devastated.
I imagine that little girl told her parents, ” I’m meeting the president and I’m wearing my princess dress,” because that is what you pick out to meet the president when you’re 4. It made me very happy.
As a lady who is thinking about having children soon, I think my uterus just exploded from cuteness. They are like tiny little adorable people! I guess that’s what kids really are…just tiny little adorable people.
I was watching Bob’s Burgers when all of a sudden it cut to Obama’s speech in CT. I didn’t want to watch at first, but I decided I need to hear it. I couldn’t help but sob uncontrollably at the end when he named all the victums. I may not agree with the man on fiscal matters but MY GOD, he has been a great Commander and Cheif during this horrible tragedy. The man has true compassion, is a great speaker and consoler and for that, I thank him.