If she opened her eyes, maybe we can, too.
Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, director of the Interfaith Alliance said that on Rachel Maddow. He was speaking about the remarkable moment in President Obama’s speech when the president told us that Gabrielle Giffords had, just after his visit to the hospital, opened her eyes. It was a powerful and personal speech, reminding us of the potential heroism that resides in the hearts of all. Obama said:
We recognize our own mortality, and are reminded that in the fleeting time we have on this earth, what matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame – but rather, how well we have loved, and what small part we have played in bettering the lives of others.
Many on the Right praised the speech, too, adding that it should bring an end to what’s now being called a blame game — the blaming of right-wing hate talk for the violence in Tucson. It didn’t take long for some to label the mournful cries for a more civil union as some kind of partisan bickering. This was a straw-man employed to avoid such a healing conversation. The night of the Tuscon tragedy, I wrote about our nation’s violent culture and its potential impact on our American future. This is how I concluded:
One another to hold — that is all we are given in this life, and I mean that with a fierceness that ought to set the violent to wondering. And we’ll hold them tenderly, too, because if we’re to love we must acknowledge and extinguish the fear that can twist the hearts of those who very briefly share this place with us.
The photo above is Gabby Giffords holding hands with her husband Mark Kelly in her hosptal bed. I repeat the closing sentiment from Sunday’s piece to make clear that the purpose of discussing the use of violent language in politics is not partisan, it is not to score partisan points. The purpose is to create an atmosphere in which all views are welcome as long as they are respectfully and peacefully offered.
As Obama said, words that heal, not wound. Over the last several days many took exception to the criticism of violent, hateful language. They took it personally, as if they were somehow being accused of pulling the trigger in Tucson. No such accusation was made, at least in these quarters. However, words have consequences, and those who consciously contribute hate to the public conversation have to recognize that it never heals, it hurts our democracy.
Related Articles:
About Glenn W. Smith
Glenn W. Smith has spent the past 30 years in journalism and politics, where he’s made a name for himself as a writer, campaign manager, activist, think tank analyst and, as Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas says, a “legendary political consultant and all-around good guy.” “There’s no one like him,” says author George Lakoff. CNN commentator Paul Begala says, “He has unmatched experience, a graceful pen (or pixel nowadays) and deep insight into the best and worst of us.” Novelist Sarah Bird speaks of his “lucid and lyrical” prose. And, she says, he’s fun. Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington says Glenn writes with “grace and abundant humor” and “uses his colorful experiences in Texas to enlighten us all.”
Smith led Ann Richards’ successful 1990 campaign for Governor of Texas. He worked for former Texas Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby and U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen. Earlier, Smith was a political reporter for the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Post. He’s coordinated national campaigns for groups such as MoveOn.org. In 2004, he authored the highly acclaimed book, The Politics of Deceit: Saving Freedom and Democracy from Extinction. He also wrote Unfit Commander, a book that detailed George W. Bush’s mysterious disappearance from military service.
In 2004, Smith was featured in the film, Bush’s Brain, a documentary about Karl Rove. Smith provided commentary on Rove’s role as then-President Bush’s senior advisor. He has made numerous media appearances with Chris Mathews on Hardball, Joe Scarborough, Brit Hume, and many others. He writes a regularly for top national web sites, including FireDogLake and Huffington Post.
As a senior fellow at George Lakoff’s prestigious Rockridge Institute in Berkeley he studied, wrote and taught on the power of metaphor and narrative in political communications. He also lectured on religion and politics at the Starr King School for Ministry in Berkeley. As a sponsor and organizer, he has pulled together numerous national events with progressive religious leaders. He also organized a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King at Riverside Church in New York City as well as “Freedom and Faith” bus tours, which was a nationwide campaign for social justice and progressive values.
Smith’s play, Double Play, which explored American Western myths and legends, was held over to sold-out audiences. He’s even written and performed songs in the Americana tradition, such as his best-known song, “Helping Marty Robbins,” a tribute to his hometown, Houston.
Most recently, Smith is the creator of DogCanyon, a political and cultural web site covering state, national and global issues from a Texas perspective. DogCanyon is an exhilarating and unique site that gets the connections between politics and culture and explores both the personal side of politics and the ups, down, craziness and beauty of “life its ownself,” as humorist Dan Jenkins would say. DogCanyon offers heartfelt personal essays, hard-hitting political analysis, and, most importantly, laughs.
As Paul Begala said, Smith writes in “the finest, firmest, fearless tradition of Texas essayists like Molly Ivins.”
"What matters is not wealth…" If only that were remotely possible.
Always engaging, Glenn. Context on top of context. Thanks – Jim
Thanks, Jim. It was you, so many years ago, who cautioned us about the risks of just "skimming the surface." So thanks for that.
If Obama wants to convince me that he is about some suddenly new compassion, he ought to start by quitting drone attacks, and their cover-up, stop shooting kids who throw rocks along the southern border and giving Bradley Manning a fair trial. His syrupy rhetoric rings flat and left me breathless.
The subject isn't Obama's compassion or lack of it. It's ours.
I thought Obama's speech was spot on
I would beg to differ. Obama is our face to the world. What he says reflects on all of us, and since you brought him up, I'm confused. If he is a hypocrite, then we all are seen as such. Or is this just for those who agree? Until our leaders are pushed to reflect a single standard about how we treat our own, and others, I'm afraid it isn't up to us. Perhaps I misunderstand the purpose of this discussion. Be happy to bow out if dissent is not acceptable.
GOD BLESS A LA CONGRESISTA Y DIOS DIOS LA SACARA DE TODO ESO Y LE DARA MUCHA SALUD Y VIDA PARA QUE SIGA SU TRABAJO EN LUCHA A SUS IDEAS ,LOS HISPANOS OREMOS POR ELLA CON MUCHO AMOR Y FUERZA.DIOS TE BENDIGA CONGRESISTA DESDE EL UNIVERSO ,EL MUNDO Y MIAMI ,LOS CUBANOS Y HISPANOS PEDIMOS A DIOS SU ENERGIA Y AMOR ASI TI.BENDICIONES.
RICHARD ,MIAMI.