Tucson Memorial Service

[Jennasis]

BTW...Giffords doing pretty good today!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110113/ap_on_he_me/us_congresswoman_shot_recovery

 

[Jennasis]

Man....well, JAZZ HANDS before the lock down

 

[Wall-E1]

Man....well, JAZZ HANDS before the lock down

Love those jazz hands!!!

 

[CandyMandy]

Wasn't it held at a college campus? Probably explains the behavior. I bet most of the audience just wanted to see and hear the President.

That doesn't explain it.

Contrast the behavior last night with those of the college students at Virginia Tech who attended a real memorial service that was held after the massacre there in 2007 - where there was also a Presidential address and a national spotlight.

The VA tech students didn't cheer and holler.

No one was putting on "event-themed" T shirts.

This is what you saw:

 

[JessicaR]

A little respect for those that live there would be great.

I remember 9-11 and I remember hurtful comments in the days following about the way some of us chose to grieve. Leave it alone.

 

[skater]

A little respect for those that live there would be great.

I remember 9-11 and I remember hurtful comments in the days following about the way some of us chose to grieve. Leave it alone.

You're absolutely right about respecting those who live there. When I first started posting, I thought a reasonable discussion about this would be nice. Again, I'll say that because it was televised nationally, many of us looked at it as a service for the nation. If it met the needs of the people who live there, then it was perfect. It did bother me and even my son felt that something was a little off. But if we decide that this service wasn't really for us, then maybe, yes we should just leave it alone.

 

[Guy Incognito]

I'm not trying to tell people how to behave, I'm simply expressing my opinion, and my belief that people should stop to think about how their behavior is going to affect others before acting. If that's wrong, than so be it. We'll just have to agree to disagree.

you know, that's probably the best piece of advice that everyone needs to put into practice. On the whole, we've all become way too selfish/self centered about everything in life; and fail to take into consideration how our words/actions will impact others. Well said.

 

[ICF]

when it comes to someone like the POTUS (any one, not Obama in particular) people will see and hear what they want to when it comes them.

Those that support them will praise them and those that dont will nitpick at any and all actions.

When it comes to the POTUS and peoples feelings about them, nothing changes but the date.

 

[MossMan]

From the President's speech yesterday:

Christina was given to us on September 11th, 2001, one of 50 babies born that day to be pictured in a book called "Faces of Hope." On either side of her photo in that book were simple wishes for a child's life. "I hope you help those in need," read one. "I hope you know all of the words to the National Anthem and sing it with your hand over your heart. I hope you jump in rain puddles."

If there are rain puddles in heaven, Christina is jumping in them today. And here on Earth, we place our hands over our hearts, and commit ourselves as Americans to forging a country that is forever worthy of her gentle, happy spirit.​

 

[JessicaR]

Nevermind - leaving this thread. *PEACE*

 

[Mermaid02]

The only reason that this is a 5+ page argumentative thread is the guest speaker (aka the POTUS).

I don't think so. It was about the crowd- not him.

 

[skater]

From the President's speech yesterday:

Christina was given to us on September 11th, 2001, one of 50 babies born that day to be pictured in a book called "Faces of Hope." On either side of her photo in that book were simple wishes for a child's life. "I hope you help those in need," read one. "I hope you know all of the words to the National Anthem and sing it with your hand over your heart. I hope you jump in rain puddles."

If there are rain puddles in heaven, Christina is jumping in them today. And here on Earth, we place our hands over our hearts, and commit ourselves as Americans to forging a country that is forever worthy of her gentle, happy spirit.​

I liked this part - it was very worthy of my personal expectations of a memorial service.

 

[Jennasis]

Christina's funeral was today. Thank God those loons from westboro no-showed.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110113/ap_on_re_us/us_congresswoman_shot

Is everyone "okay" with how this went down?? Or were the bikers with angel-wings a no-no too?

 

[dzorn]

But, even if it was a "Celebration of Life" type service...while I would expect enthusiastic applause, I think the kinds of whooping, hollering, whistling, and screams of "We love you!" (Which I heard directed towards the President.) would still have been inappropriate. It wasn't a rock concert, or a basketball game, or a political rally, but a memorial service, and even for an upbeat service, the cheering was over the top.

.

I turned the TV on for just a few moments though how disrespectful and turned it off.

Denise in MI

 

[eliza61]

That doesn't explain it.

Contrast the behavior last night with those of the college students at Virginia Tech who attended a real memorial service that was held after the massacre there in 2007 - where there was also a Presidential address and a national spotlight.

The VA tech students didn't cheer and holler.

No one was putting on "event-themed" T shirts.

This is what you saw:

So basically because you thought it was inappropriate, it must have been.

Once again, people have the right to mourn, memoralize, celebrate an event that happen to them the way they see fit. They get to decide how to respond, they get to choose what speakers attend. Virgina Tech is not Arizonia, so guess what the University of Arizona students felt moved to applaud and cheer. That's why they call it the University of Arizona. No one forced them to attend, no one forced them to clap, no one forced them to dress a particular way.

So when a tragedy happens to you please leave instructions on proper protocol. Jeez.

 

[eliza61]

Christina's funeral was today. Thank God those loons from westboro no-showed.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110113/ap_on_re_us/us_congresswoman_shot

Is everyone "okay" with how this went down?? Or were the bikers with angel-wings a no-no too?

I was very happy to hear that they did not come and I believe that it was directly because they knew there would be serious opposition to them. That's why I'm not 100% behind the "just ignore them" approach. Westboro church is a bunch of cowards and the best way to make cowards run away is to stand up to them and say we are not afraid of you.

 

[Guy Incognito]

Westboro didn't show because some radio stations agreed to give them free air time in exchange for not protesting that funeral.

 

[Mermaid02]

Christina's funeral was today. Thank God those loons from westboro no-showed.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110113/ap_on_re_us/us_congresswoman_shot

Is everyone "okay" with how this went down?? Or were the bikers with angel-wings a no-no too?

You do know that there are many people across the country who were uncomfortable with the tone of the "memorial" service? In my "real" life everyone I have spoken to about it thought it was odd and or inappropriate. Does that make us right or wrong? Neither.... it's an opinion.

 

[Karibeth19]

So basically because you thought it was inappropriate, it must have been.

Once again, people have the right to mourn, memoralize, celebrate an event that happen to them the way they see fit. They get to decide how to respond, they get to choose what speakers attend. Virgina Tech is not Arizonia, so guess what the University of Arizona students felt moved to applaud and cheer. That's why they call it the University of Arizona. No one forced them to attend, no one forced them to clap, no one forced them to dress a particular way.

So when a tragedy happens to you please leave instructions on proper protocol. Jeez.

Unless they were somehow directly related to someone involved in the event, then it didn't happen to the University of Arizona students. Just as, simply because I'm an Oklahoman, doesn't mean the Murrah bombing happened to me. It happened to the family and friends of the victims, and even though the entire community may be shocked and saddened, the priority should go to those who were directly affected. Were they asked what kind of public memorial service they would like to have? I don't know. But, if just ONE loved one was hurt by the tone or behavior of the crowd, then the opinion that the behavior was inappropriate becomes valid.

You do know that there are many people across the country who were uncomfortable with the tone of the "memorial" service? In my "real" life everyone I have spoken to about it thought it was odd and or inappropriate. Does that make us right or wrong? Neither.... it's an opinion.

Exactly! This isn't about right or wrong, it's about opinion and perception. If the families come out and say they loved the service and thought the cheering was uplifting and helpful, I will immediately amend my position and understand that it may have been appropriate in that situation. However, as I said above, if only one loved one was hurt or offended, then the inappropriateness of the service becomes a valid point. I personally believe in erring on the side of caution, and not taking the chance of hurting someone. Others believe they should be able to act however they please. Depending on the situation, either one may be correct. But, in my opinion in a mass service like this, the differing feelings of the many loved ones should have all been respected. We should also show more respect to those who have a differing opinion than our own. There is no need for snarkiness.

 

[SunnyP4Disney]

My thoughts on the event is that it was initially supposed to be a traditional memorial service, the President catered his remarks to solemnity, but with all the focus on the heartening aspects of the shooting, the everyday heroes that helped avert more tragedy, the miraculous story of Rep. Giffords injury and recovery, I believe the people of Tuscon wanted this, needed this to be an uplifting service.

I believe the true expressions of grief will be at the funeral services. The families, friends, and everyone affected by this horror needed to feel the support and celebrations of their loved ones' lives last night. We all need to concentrate on healing as a nation, and not using this as an opportunity to advance their agenda. For those that truly believe that the administration was using this as a political pep rally, I feel really sorry for you that you are that jaded.