Yesterday, two people – one the head of state, the other the head of a political action committee, gave speeches about the recent tragedy in Tucson, Arizona.
One speaker quoted scripture, the other quoted President Reagan. One speaker used words like “we” and “us.” The other used words like “me” and “I.” Both said that we, as a people, are not defined by the violence that occurred last Saturday. One said heroism isn’t found just on the battlefield, but that heroism is all around us waiting to be displayed. The other said we must not be deterred by those who embrace evil and call it good. One said we must talk to each other in a way that heals, not wounds. The other said that we will not be stopped from speaking up and will not be deterred by cries of imagined insults.
But the biggest difference between the two speeches was that one said we must live up to the expectations of a nine year old child. The other said we’re okay the way we are and must not back down in this hour of tragedy (paraphrased). That in a nutshell is the difference. One speech said we can do better and the other said we must continue doing what we’re doing.
No words can ease the pain of the loss that occurred in Tucson last Saturday, but two people tried yesterday. I think one succeeded.