Charlie Martin found the Tuscon memorial service’s logo and title last night. Yes, the memorial has a logo and a title — Together We Thrive: Tucson and America. The WaPo’s 44 blog has posted a timeline of tonight’s memorial service. It’s odd, to say the least. It would be interesting to know who planned it, and who designed its logo.
Opening music
A Native American blessing
Welcome by University of Arizona President Robert N. Shelton
The playing of the National Anthem
Remarks by President Shelton
Remarks by a University of Arizona Student
Remarks by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R)
Remarks by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano
Remarks by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder
Remarks by President Obama
Moment of silence
As of the writing of that list, there is no prayer or minister involved, as is customary in America’s times of sorrow. There is a “Native American blessing,” though. Which tribe or tribes are involved is not disclosed.
It’s not at all clear why the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General are speaking, unless they are on hand to politicize the memorial. Both are every bit as divisive figures as anyone in American life; Holder infamously called America a “nation of cowards” and tried moving the trials of major al Qaeda terrorists to the scene of their crimes, and Napolitano has helped politicize national security while doing nothing about TSA’s strip and grope regime at our airports. Their presence makes little sense when weighed against the facts of the Tucson shooting: Loughner is neither a terrorist nor a political actor nor an interstate criminal. He is alleged to be a troubled young man who committed heinous crimes.
Going by the list above, it would seem that the Democrats intend to politicize the memorial in a way that leaves the president, through his own remarks, above the fray. If that is what takes place, it will be a disgrace and the president will be sullied whatever he says.
Update: In the comments, Charlie points out that at least Napolitano is a past AZ governor, which is true. It’s also true that Holder is leading the lawsuit against Arizona’s immigration law, and Napolitano has done nothing to stop that or assist her state as it defends itself against the Obama administration she joined. Seems to me it would have made more sense to let either of Arizona’s senators, or other congressmen, speak rather than Napolitano.
Update: I’ve been wondering why the mayor of Tucson isn’t on the speaker’s list, since this happened in his city. Well, his party affiliation might be a clue.
Update: Come to think of it, we haven’t heard much from Tucson mayor Bob Walkup at all. That speaks well of him, imho.
Update: Hm. According to the University of Arizona…I’m not making this up:
Concession stands will be open during the event.
For an hour-long memorial service?
Update: I am not going to offer any comment on this photo. Yes, apparently it’s real. This is the first memorial I’ve ever heard of with not only its own logo, but a sporty T-shirt as well.
Napolitano had been, at least, Governor of Arizona. On Holder, frankly, I got nothing.
Good point, Charlie. I’ve updated the post to address that.
I guess the Rev. Jeremiah Wright was busy today.
It is not going to be the Gettysburg Address, that’s for sure. I am so ready for a President who loves this country as much as I do.
Evidently. Perhaps he and Rev. Phlegler are on a retreat together this week.
Dude, the list of people more appropriate than Holder is gonna make this a long article.
“Remarks by a University of Arizona Student”
Last I heard this yo yo was a (failed) student at Pima Community College. Why at a “memorial service” is an unnamed U of A student speaking?
If I had to venture a guess, this will be some mass communications major who will rail against the “divisive political speech” which led to Loughner’s madness.
God forbid we should actually blame the guy responsible…
Patrick
Last I heard this yo yo was a (failed) student at Pima Community College. Why at a “memorial service” is an unnamed U of A student speaking?
A buck says it’s the Student Body President who put this CF together.
The U of A student probably is Giffords’ intern, who stopped her bleeding and performed informal triage for the victims.
I hope so. And an acknowledgement of those who saved lives would be great too.
That would at least mean someone who actually knew the dead would be speaking, but I’m standing by my buck.
This is going to be a cluster.
Remarks by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R)
The “(R)” stands for racist, apparently. It can’t refer to party, or there’d be a lot of “(D)”s up there. I’m just glad the nation has been warned ahead of time.
From the list of speakers, this doesn’t appear to be anything like a tribute to the victims. And if that’s the case, then what’s the point of the exercise?
Whoever suggested that the addition of Holder and Napolitano to the speaker’s list in order to allow them to make political hay, while their boss-man tries to appear above such matters is probably right. The trouble is, Barry, it won’t work. If you let your henchmen do your dirty work, we’re still going to blame *YOU* for politicizing this event for your own obscene benefit.
Worst. President. EVER.
From the list of speakers, this doesn’t appear to be anything like a tribute to the victims. And if that’s the case, then what’s the point of the exercise?
Is that a rhetorical question?
Napolitano was also US Attorney for the District of Arizona during the Clinton Administration and as such would likely have had dealings with Judge Roll. Holder does head the agency that is prosecuting Loughner.
The list of speakers is highly inappropriate and political.
Big Sis is speaking to either explicitly assert, but more probably to implicitly show through her presence, that the shootings are a national security issue. They aren’t, any more than were the McDonald’s mass murders. Secondly, she is there to “prove”, by her presence, that all terrorism isn’t Islamic, even though the murders have nothing to do with terrorism.
Holder, by his presence, nationalizes the murders. Why else would the Attorney General speak at the scene of an unfortunate local tragedy. By his presence, and possibly by his words, he links the crime to “hate speech” and “civil rights”. The latter link would be impossible, were the Congresswoman not Jewish. Look for the idiot to mention that fact. He, without question, will reassure the country that the full force of federal law enforcement will be arrayed by those who seek to destroy the country through angry rhetoric.
The University President is also interesting. The logical choice would be the Mayor of Tucson, who is a Republican. I would like to know Shelton’s politics. He is a physicist which means he isn’t by default a raving lunatic progressive, but it is probably a good bet that he is a liberal, or he wouldn’t have a prominent role.
Note how Gov Brewer, who could not be excluded without an uprising, is marginalized by sandwiching her between an unknown University official and Big Sis, who by being an Arizonian, should be able to mitigate and success that Brewer might have with her words.
So we have a low-level official, a totally unconnected and inappropriate student, one Republican, two 24x7x365 political hatchetmen and then the godman himself.
Little lenin has built a wall around himself.
Why are national figures even there? The next nut who wants to make a name for himself will be watching this while rubbing his hands together.
Good analysis! It helps to clarify the anger! Sometimes, there are just so many bees buzzing around our heads that it seems like there is no end to the stinging. I pray that God will bring this nation’s leaders to repentance to the acknowledging of the truth so that we may recover ourselves and begin to honor Him in all that we say and do.
I think perhaps we could wait until they actually start playing politics with the trial before we accuse them of doing it.
If they act with taste and decency, those of who rushed to judgement will look bad. Not as bad as those who rushed to blame all conservatives everywhere before the bodies were even cold, I concede.
I agree. There will be plenty of opportunity to vilify if they do politicize it.
Although I tend to agree with the predictions, it is possible that they learned something from the memorial service for Paul Wellstone.
I actually hope that this doesn’t turn into the Wellstone spectacle, and I’m not predicting that it will. Just…the signs so far aren’t good.
Gabriel, I would note that both Bryan and I have consistently been saying “OMG they couldn’t possibly be going to do what it looks like they’re doing.”
I have been saying all along however, yes they are actually going to do what it looks like they’re going to do. For them not to would require they actually have some sort of shame. They’ve proven over and over again they do not. As this college pep rally disguised as a memorial will likely prove.
And yes, I pray I’m wrong on this.
Patrick
The shooting did not take place in Tucson. It took place in unincorporated Pima County. The Mayor would not be the right person for this. Pima County is operated by the board of supervisors. There is no head person.
“Concession stands will be open during the event”.
Well of course. Gosh, what would these folks do with without their Caramel Macchiato, Caffè Latte and if warm this evening Iced Caffè Mocha
The concession stands were open because that was the only
chance some people had all day for food or drink. The lines
starting forming at 6am. The facility opened at 4pm. How do I know
this? I was there.
Apologize profusely. Forgot this one, Slurpee’s too.
Janet and Eric spoke less than a minute each… she read something from the bible and I missed him completely… I was reading this blog. Whatever he said was less than notable.
Himself is speaking and in full campaign mode.
No one told Michelle this was not a picnic, I am apalled at the casualness of her clothing.. no accounting for taste I guess.
Daniel Hernadez was simply awesome, what a great hero. He rejects that, but that is what he is.
The NA guy was Yaqui.
In hindsight. They did a fantastic job. Reading scripture,
and keeping it somber. The audience members from UA were the only
ones out of place. Good job Mr. President. P.S. I still dont like
you.
Anyone who is able to trash and criticize what was a non-partisan, moving and uplifting memorial service, either did not watch it, or is so tightly wound up in their partisan politics of hatred that they are completely blind.
Shame.
James
“Anyone who is able to trash and criticize what was a non-partisan, moving and uplifting memorial service, either did not watch it, or is so tightly wound up in their partisan politics of hatred that they are completely blind.”
I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. It’s hateful people like the right-wing posters on this board that do nothing but add fuel to the political fire. I also find it laughable that the author of this piece mentions Napolitano as one who is “politicizing” this event and the border issue. In fact, it’s the folks on the RIGHT that have done nothing but BASH this woman for years that have made her a political scapegoat for anything that has gone wrong in AZ. It’s shameless, but I don’t expect you all to stop. You can’t help yourselves.
The bloggers that are judgemental of the memorial service
that took place on Jan. 12, 2011 should goggle and find some
interviews with the family members that took place after the
memorial. In contrast to the bloggers opinions, many they formed
before the memorial started, the interviews with the family members
were very postive. CNN had a touching interview with The Green
Family, parents of the youngest victim Christina. I find it very
sad that the dislike that the right has for the left prevented them
from giving the innocent victims and their families the respect
they deserved. It was more important for the right to take the
Celebration of Life Memorial Service and bash the President and any
left political figures. Only people save at the service were your
kind.