John McCain: After the shootings, Obama reminds the nation of the golden rule

[babylonsister]

Starts off real nice, but there's a kicker in here, naturally. :eyes: Is he actually referring to palin as a political leader?



After the shootings, Obama reminds the nation of the golden rule


By John McCain
Friday, January 14, 2011; 1:30 PM

President Obama gave a terrific speech Wednesday night. He movingly mourned and honored the victims of Saturday's senseless atrocity outside Tucson, comforted and inspired the country, and encouraged those of us who have the privilege of serving America. He encouraged every American who participates in our political debates - whether we are on the left or right or in the media - to aspire to a more generous appreciation of one another and a more modest one of ourselves.

The president appropriately disputed the injurious suggestion that some participants in our political debates were responsible for a depraved man's inhumanity. He asked us all to conduct ourselves in those debates in a manner that would not disillusion an innocent child's hopeful patriotism. I agree wholeheartedly with these sentiments. We should respect the sincerity of the convictions that enliven our debates but also the mutual purpose that we and all preceding generations of Americans serve: a better country; stronger, more prosperous and just than the one we inherited.

We Americans have different opinions on how best to serve that noble purpose. We need not pretend otherwise or be timid in our advocacy of the means we believe will achieve it. But we should be mindful as we argue about our differences that so much more unites than divides us. We should also note that our differences, when compared with those in many, if not most, other countries, are smaller than we sometimes imagine them to be.

I disagree with many of the president's policies, but I believe he is a patriot sincerely intent on using his time in office to advance our country's cause. I reject accusations that his policies and beliefs make him unworthy to lead America or opposed to its founding ideals. And I reject accusations that Americans who vigorously oppose his policies are less intelligent, compassionate or just than those who support them.

snip//

That doesn't mean, however, that those injuries are always easy to slough off and bear with perfect equanimity. Political leaders are not and cannot reasonably be expected to be indifferent to the cruelest calumnies aimed at their character. Imagine how it must feel to have watched one week ago the incomprehensible massacre of innocents committed by someone who had lost some essential part of his humanity, to have shared in the heartache for its victims and in the admiration for those who acted heroically to save the lives of others - and to have heard in the coverage of that tragedy voices accusing you of complicity in it.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/14/AR2011011403871.html

[WCGreen]

1. He is so irrelevant...

How he got re-elected shows how ignorant voters can be...

[DCKit]

2. Kind of schizophrenic.

The Wingers will probably pick apart the first half and find him too condescending toward President Obama, and too critical of Palin.

In the end, he seems to be throwing her a tiny bone, but is vague and insincere.

Remember, Gramps' family was horrified that Palin was foisted upon his campaign, and were proven (in the harshest, starkest terms) correct. He may yet believe his association with her is useful, but he's not wearing his heart on his sleeve, either.

On our side, it's a win for President Obama, so let's leave it at that.

[Mz Pip]

3. When has Palin ever been indifferent

to even the slightest criticism? She is the most easily offended politician (and I use that word loosely) the country has ever seen. She makes up shit to be offended about.

[treestar]

4. cannot imagine how that would feel

But I'd wonder why I was thought to be complicit in it.

And own up to the violent rhetoric.

[fugop]

5. And, oh yeah, ...

GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!

Grrrr. Old Man yells at Clouds. Even when he's ostensibly trying to say something nice, he's still a dick.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. In McCain's case, the Golden Rule would be "If you can't say anything nice about anyone,

sit with me."