Greatest speech of his presidency, but what of its intent?

After the game
The Daily Jot

Daily reporting and analysis of current events from a biblical and prophetic perspective.


Thursday, January 13, 2011

Greatest speech of his presidency; but what of its intent?



By and far it was the best speech of his presidency and arguably of his political career. The president called for the nation to unify and to "pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds." There were somber moments describing the lives of those who were killed by the Tucson gunman, and the heroic effort of those who lived to save lives or to be saved. He spoke of those who were killed or wounded as if they were life-long friends and he took the time to introduce them to the rest of the nation. He encouraged all Americans to live up to the child-like expectations of nine year old Christina Taylor Green for our nation. But something was amiss.



The president's plea to Americans was civility. And this is indeed what we as Americans have lost one for another. There are so many things that have divided us as a people. While evil is at the root of this division, political parties have provided a spirit of derision for both reason and justness, even the truth of the Word of God. George Washington warned against the spirit of party in his Farewell Address, saying, "You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heartburnings which spring from these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection." Certainly, as Americans we should be bound by fraternal affection.



The man at the White House seized the opportunity of tragedy to address the nation. His remarks were reminiscent of the campaign trail in 2008 when he pledged to bring unity and hope. And the atmosphere at the University of Arizona was more like a campaign rally than a memorial service--kind of over the top. Even Associated Press in its report wrote that the speech, "by turns somber and hopeful, at times took on the tone of an exuberant pep rally as he heralded the men who wrestled the gunman to the ground, the woman who grabbed the shooter's ammunition, the doctors and nurses who treated the injured...the crowd erupted in multiple standing ovations as each was singled out for praise."



If not for the appearance of a campaign rally at a memorial service; If not for his own political party and his own past words contributing to this great divide; If not for a week's worth of words like "civility" meaning "do not criticize politicians";--his words may bring hope and healing. The question before us is was this tragedy used for self promotion or was honor and memorial properly served? The answer may be found in those "Together we Thrive" campaign T-shirts draped on the back of all the chairs at the beginning of this "memorial service." Notwithstanding, we as fellow Americans truly should abide in the words of Jesus in John 13:34, "That ye love one another: as I have loved you."

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry