Memorial and Pep Rally Stirs Emotions in Tucson, Arizona
Yesterday, U.S. president Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama attended a “Together We Thrive: Tucson and America” memorial service in Tucson, AZ to remember the 6 people killed, and 14 wounded during a Jan. 8 shooting spree by a crazed gunman on Saturday.
During his speech, Obama paused at the podium fifty three times to soak up the audience’s enthusiastic applause and cheering.
“Gabby opened her eyes for the first time,” Obama announced to thunderous applause. Obama was referring to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, 40, who was shot in the head during an assassination attempt.
“What we can’t do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on one another,” said Obama.
But, apparently, the occasion can be used as an unofficial pep rally for Obama’s upcoming re-election bid.
“Is it just me, or is this event starting to look more and more like a political rally?,” wrote one political blogger who noted that concession stands were open and Obama t-shirts were on sale.
“Do the people there know they are supposed to be gathered in solemn remembrance of the dead – not cheering like yahoos at a football game?,” he asked.
I have to agree. I mean, come on, cheering and souvenir t-shirt sales at a memorial service? Why am I the only black person who sees the hypocrisy in that?
Photos: Reuters, AP
41 Responses to “Memorial and Pep Rally Stirs Emotions in Tucson, Arizona”
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At least Obama’s speech was about the victims of this tragedy as opposed to Sarah Palin’s 8-minute video response. Palin made herself seem like the victim by only talking about how Democrats were unfairly scrutinizing her for using gunsights on a map among other rhetoric. *SMDH*
@Sandra Really??!?!?! Out of EVERYTHING that he said and all the POSITIVE that came out of this you choose to say this sh*t????? Really????
This is beyond ignorant!
<<<<SMMFH
And you know what, I knew somebody would have something negative to say…
u see hypocrisy and negativity in everything…especially everything Obama does so i’m not surprised u would agree
@Sandra
Tell em to hop off yo dick. LoL!!!!
so are there rules somewhere for a memorial service? does it state no cheering allowed? so they can’t be celebrating these peoples lives with exuberance, they have to be quiet and somber huh?
My whole thing is you can’t blame Obama for people selling t shirts.
Morning
FAB speech
I agree w/roland martin analyst read the speech verses really listening to it. They always have to find something to complain abt. The ppl in the crowd had great things to say once they finally talked to them.
Michelle looked GREAT!
Why don’t you hop off your own DICK.
KABYEYOU says:
My whole thing is you can’t blame Obama for people selling t shirts.
~~~~~~~
Thank You. I am sure there was probably a hot dog vender near by also. LOL.
Hello All. Hmmm, continous, thunderous applause and cheering in Arizona for President Obama, home to most Republicans. (He must have said something right for the right to react like this.) CARRY ON PRESIDENT OBAMA, CARRY ON, and may God bless America. We certainly need it in these uncertain times. Peace.
The speech was not political on the part of Obama. The crowd was excited to see him and hence the applause. We should be happy that our president makes his presence known in the state of crisis. Anyone remember Bush and Hurrican Katrina? #jussaying
When was cheering not allowed at a memorial service… you must have never been to a funeral at a COGIC church.
@YSoSerious
I can’t cause it’s in yo mouth.
Mamacita says:
@Sandra Really??!?!?! Out of EVERYTHING that he said and all the POSITIVE that came out of this you choose to say this sh*t????? Really????
This is beyond ignorant!
<<<<SMMFH
And you know what, I knew somebody would have something negative to say…
KABYEYOU says:
My whole thing is you can’t blame Obama for people selling t shirts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I shouldn't be surprised because we all know that she has a personal distaste for Obama but attacking him about his words at a public memorial are beyond ridiculous. He asked people to unite and to use the time as a moment of healing and to speak kinds words to each other.
WTF at this response to his address. I personally believe that Sandra works for Faux News…they distort everything over there.
@2012
Really? I didn’t notice.
Is that why you’re always so negative? Nobody can feel your little midget dick?
Grow up!
People sell Obama tshirts at every thing
um let me get an XL tho
Ontopic: Glad to see Sandra has shown my president the respect he deserves by placing his title in front of his name.
The president has nothing to do with people selling t-shirts outside of the memorial service. Sandy, isnt this the Republican way?? Make money by any means necessary!
Ujusask says:
The president has nothing to do with people selling t-shirts outside of the memorial service.
____________________
Good try. But the shirts were sold inside the arena at the concession stand, not outside. And, yes, the president could have ordered the concession stands closed for the memorial service, since it is rather tacky to sell souvenirs.
If Obama would have shut that down, you would made a post about him trying to be a dictator.
What were the shirts that were sold? WHat if the profits of merchandise sold went to a memorial fund?
I thought it was a great speech to try to unify the nation, but of course there are some that would prefer to unify under glen beck than to unify under the president of the united states.
Weird thing is everyone stodd behind W when 9/11 happened, but people cant seem to unify behind Obama after a tragedy..
By the way, I agree with Palin that her words do not cause the actions of the crazies, just the same way rap music doesnt cause us to kill or sell drugs. But i bet these same conservatives would like to ban rap music etc for decency etc.
Also I saw Boehner crying the other day. I thoguht people were exaggerating about him and his emotions! LMAO
My concern is that people not forget the other victims who have suffered as well. I pray not just for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords but for everyone who was affected by this lunatic. The president and t-shirts are the least of my concerns….
The speech was great. Sandra leave that man alone.
dc202 says:
Also I saw Boehner crying the other day. I thoguht people were exaggerating about him and his emotions! LMAO
~~~~~~~~~
They did a spoof of him on SNL last week, too funny.
“Why am I the only black person who sees the hypocrisy in that?”
And you can state this with all certainty? Not all blacks drank the Obamanation brand Kool-Aid.
What would a politician be without a political agenda? Right!!! A civilian.
The president would be unwise not to use every opportunity afforded him to further his political agenda
not surprised withcu at all
Yes, the pep rally and cheering were inappropriate. The Bible tells us to mourn with those that are mourning.
It was not a typical memorial service because it was meant to celebrate the spirit of Arizona. Some stations only ran Obama’s speech, but if you watch the service in its entirety, you will see people were clapping and cheering the whole time, especially when the aide(who tackled the gunman) spoke. Jan Brewer and John McCain(his most noted R rivals) clapped and cheered as well.
2012 says:
@YSoSerious
I can’t cause it’s in yo mouth.
____________________
@ 2012 and YSoSerious: personal attacks against members of this community are not allowed.
You know sometimes people we have to do our own research… First, do you think Obama is the person making the t-shirts to sell? Really? No, AMERICANS trying to make a living sell t-shirts. But to defend our President the T-shirst read “Together We Thrive: Tucson & America” How is that trying to get you to vote. Concession should be open, while waiting they should starve, be thirsty? We eat at funerals, wakes and all? What is the problem. People were cheering because he was speaking about all the bickering that is going on and nothing being resolved. You can cheer for a game, cheer in church, but you can’t cheer when your leader makes remarks that you feel deep in your heart to be true. The way we would like AMERICA to be…people were cheering because Rep. Gifford opened her eyes! They weren’t cheering for him, they were cheering for her…
dc202 says:
By the way, I agree with Palin that her words do not cause the actions of the crazies, just the same way rap music doesnt cause us to kill or sell drugs. But i bet these same conservatives would like to ban rap music etc for decency etc.
___________________
@ Destinee: Good points, but Obama is gearing up to make his campaign run. You can’t ignore the fact that this looked like a pep rally.
They’re just gonna use this tragedy as a means to further their gun control agenda to make it easier for them to enforce martial law. I don’t own a gun but I damn sure plan on getting one before the government tells me I can’t.
Sandra Rose says:
@ Destinee: Good points, but Obama is gearing up to make his campaign run. You can’t ignore the fact that this looked like a pep rally.
______________________
It can LOOK like a pep rally all day, but we’ve come to the conclusion that thats not what it was! Sheesh Sandra, I see you haven’t changed a bit.
Thanks for having me bacy BTW. I missedededededed you. LOL
*back*
Sorry
dc202 says:
By the way, I agree with Palin that her words do not cause the actions of the crazies, just the same way rap music doesnt cause us to kill or sell drugs. But i bet these same conservatives would like to ban rap music etc for decency etc.
But her words did bring out the looney’s that “wanted their country back” for whatever that means…I feel like when you and your constituents rhetoric comes back in a negative light I feel you should take responsibility for perpetrating this anarchy with fearmongering and whats worse is that innocent lives were taken because of this. My prayers go out to the families and their lost ones and to our country that we can get past all the hatred and fear so that we can build a nation built on love, confidence, integrity, support, and honest Change…
Palin is a dumba$$. She’s the one that used this event for her own politics. She did a commercial that looked like a presidental announcement. She’s an idiot and as usual her dumba$$ attempt backfired on her. IDIOT!!
I think it’s great that Obama and Michelle took the time to attend this memorial.
Sandra Rose says:
@ Destinee: Good points, but Obama is gearing up to make his campaign run. You can’t ignore the fact that this looked like a pep rally.
——————————————————————-
Don’t all politicians take every opportunity they have to speak,take the time to let you now where they stand on that particular issue? Now this was held with Republicans and Democrats..so they ALL took part of the pep rally…LOL! Maybe we all are looking for something to unite on, then to turn against each other on…
Auntie Sandra,
Hope you are well, as am I. Auntie, I have to tell you this post by you was a deal-breaker for me. I have LOVED YOU, auntie, because, like me..you do not necessarily accept the status quo, and you push boundaries and challenge/provoke issues. This both gets attention, but more importantly, facilitates much-needed dialogue about “elephant-in-the-room” conversations, that most people are way too cowardly to address.
For your fearlessness in that, auntie, I truly admire you.
That said, auntie, this particular piece has truly rubbed me the WRONG WAY. I understand that you are NOT an Obama supporter, and – surely – that is your constitutional right. Keep exercising it!!
However, to say that the Obamas were in some way, taking advantage of a truly horrific tragedy, only for the purposes of gaining popularity to get Obama elected in the next election GOES BEYOND THE PALE!
Surely, auntie!! I am close to tears even writing this!! HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT? I mean, I understand that outlandishness and “shock value” are what drive YOU and this blog, but you are completely inappropriate and WRONG on this one.
Please retract this, auntie. President Obama has enough rednecks and other disgruntled parties hating him just because of the color of this skin…Are you really doing anyone any service, auntie, by adding this type of gasoline to THAT fire?!?!?
The Obamas ARE TRUELY AND GENUINELY DISTRESSED by this tragedy…as are majority of Americans!! So please do not say that Obama is only doing this in order to get re-elected. It takes away not only from POTUS and his family, but also from relatives and loved ones of the victims…
Auntie, this is TOO MUCH….I can’t accept that –even given whatever differences you have with this administration — that you would put that out here on your blog…
I feel sick!!
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