The President's Response to the Tucson tragedy

" But what we can’t do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on one another. As we discuss these issues, let each of us do so with a good dose of humility. Rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame, let us use this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy, and remind ourselves of all the ways our hopes and dreams are bound together... "

As a student in a mental health program, I took a sincere interest in this tragic story. With my clients always in the forefront of my mind, I can't help but hurt for the words and theories and blame that have been slung around in the wake of this tragedy.  (And if you'll give me a minute to step up onto my very controversial soapbox: There is so much more to this rageful man.. he has a story, too, and our lives and actions are intertwined in that whether we choose to believe it or not ... but I digress) ..


Thing is, I don't care what party you lobby for, I really don't. I don't care what religious belief you hold that shapes your view of our President. And though it's a speech aimed at Americans and the families of the victims- I don't care if your Australian, or Austrian, or Armenian- you should listen to this speech. I hope you'll take 34 minutes to watch this. I hope you'll spend a day or two processing what this message means for you. I'm not trying to get all Anne Frank on ya, but I really do believe that there is so much good in this world. Good that starts with us.


I get the feeling that whoever wrote this speech really thinks that a world where 'our dreams our bound together' is within reach. Here's to that kind of hope..