12 January 2011
Tucson Reactions
Tonight our President spoke to the Arizona tragedy and to the sense of loss and confusion that follows acts of violence to the survivors and to those who empathize with them. Before his speech, CNN and other television news broadcasters were billing the President's speech as "his Clinton moment" and often led off their punditry with the question: "Is Obama up to the task?" Such presumptuous bilboarding gives one true insight into the purpose and bias of commercial television whether broadcast or cable. Greed and pride catering to potential viewers' prideful biases. No such billboard ads preceded George W. Bush's speech to the nation following 9/11, yet his prowess for oratory had been mocked prior to and subsequent to his election in 2000. Why do this to Obama? I am not going to attempt an answer; rather, to suggest you derive your own conclusions.
For equal consideration, I thought it might be interesting to you to see two video clips one of which you may have seen, but most likely not both.
Video of Sarah Palin's statement on the Tucson killings:
Sarah Palin: "America's Enduring Strength" from Sarah Palin on Vimeo.
What is your reaction to Palin's statement? Now, compare it to Jon Stewart's statement on Monday, January 10, 2011:
I wish more people would listen to Jon Stewart's comments. His eloquent words on action and verbiage is remarkable, in my opinion. There is a theme going through the business leader education forums and other venues encouraging initiative and action. Observe-React-Learn or Think-Act-Redesign and so forth. These mottos intend to break through "groupthink" and killing of ideas by committees and bureaucracy. If such an approach empowers individuals to think creatively within an organization or empowers an individual to take common sense action in an emergency, I say "Great!" I would hope that there is more substance to such promotional programs that provides the skills needed in action and reflection. Some people seem to begin talking before engaging their brain's gears. Others think out loud regardless of time, place or appropriateness. I and those reading this post have the luxury of being able to see, to think about and to learn from such tragedies.
For those who pray or meditate, consider using the front page or screen of a daily newspaper or source as a basis for directing your thoughts. For instance, as a result of the assassination attempt in Tucson, the family of the would-be assassin have lost a son, a cousin, a brother, too. Imaging having to bear that loss with having to live in public as related to the murderer--however motivated. Think about everyone, not just the victims, during your reflections. I believe we can learn from this approach, too.
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For equal consideration, I thought it might be interesting to you to see two video clips one of which you may have seen, but most likely not both.
Video of Sarah Palin's statement on the Tucson killings:
Sarah Palin: "America's Enduring Strength" from Sarah Palin on Vimeo.
What is your reaction to Palin's statement? Now, compare it to Jon Stewart's statement on Monday, January 10, 2011:
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Arizona Shootings Reaction | ||||
| ||||
I wish more people would listen to Jon Stewart's comments. His eloquent words on action and verbiage is remarkable, in my opinion. There is a theme going through the business leader education forums and other venues encouraging initiative and action. Observe-React-Learn or Think-Act-Redesign and so forth. These mottos intend to break through "groupthink" and killing of ideas by committees and bureaucracy. If such an approach empowers individuals to think creatively within an organization or empowers an individual to take common sense action in an emergency, I say "Great!" I would hope that there is more substance to such promotional programs that provides the skills needed in action and reflection. Some people seem to begin talking before engaging their brain's gears. Others think out loud regardless of time, place or appropriateness. I and those reading this post have the luxury of being able to see, to think about and to learn from such tragedies.
For those who pray or meditate, consider using the front page or screen of a daily newspaper or source as a basis for directing your thoughts. For instance, as a result of the assassination attempt in Tucson, the family of the would-be assassin have lost a son, a cousin, a brother, too. Imaging having to bear that loss with having to live in public as related to the murderer--however motivated. Think about everyone, not just the victims, during your reflections. I believe we can learn from this approach, too.
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