Full prepared remarks of President Obama at memorial service for Tucson shooting victims

[News_Editor]

Full prepared remarks of President Obama at memorial service for Tucson shooting victims

2011-01-13 09:05:00 GMT+7 (ICT)

TUCSON, ARIZONA (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday evening delivered the following prepared remarks about the Tucson shooting tragedy at the McKale Memorial Center of the University of Arizona. They may differ slightly from the actual delivered remarks.

Full prepared remarks:

"To the families of those we've lost; to all who called them friends; to the students of this university, the public servants gathered tonight, and the people of Tucson and Arizona: I have come here tonight as an American who, like all Americans, kneels to pray with you today, and will stand by you tomorrow.

There is nothing I can say that will fill the sudden hole torn in your hearts. But know this: the hopes of a nation are here tonight. We mourn with you for the fallen. We join you in your grief. And we add our faith to yours that Representative Gabrielle Giffords and the other living victims of this tragedy pull through.

As Scripture tells us:

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

On Saturday morning, Gabby, her staff, and many of her constituents gathered outside a supermarket to exercise their right to peaceful assembly and free speech. They were fulfilling a central tenet of the democracy envisioned by our founders - representatives of the people answering to their constituents, so as to carry their concerns to our nation's capital. Gabby called it "Congress on Your Corner" - just an updated version of government of and by and for the people.

That is the quintessentially American scene that was shattered by a gunman's bullets. And the six people who lost their lives on Saturday - they too represented what is best in America.

Judge John Roll served our legal system for nearly 40 years. A graduate of this university and its law school, Judge Roll was recommended for the federal bench by John McCain twenty years ago, appointed by President George H.W. Bush, and rose to become Arizona's chief federal judge. His colleagues described him as the hardest-working judge within the Ninth Circuit. He was on his way back from attending Mass, as he did every day, when he decided to stop by and say hi to his Representative. John is survived by his loving wife, Maureen, his three sons, and his five grandchildren.

George and Dorothy Morris - "Dot" to her friends - were high school sweethearts who got married and had two daughters. They did everything together, traveling the open road in their RV, enjoying what their friends called a 50-year honeymoon. Saturday morning, they went by the Safeway to hear what their Congresswoman had to say. When gunfire rang out, George, a former Marine, instinctively tried to shield his wife. Both were shot. Dot passed away.

A New Jersey native, Phyllis Schneck retired to Tucson to beat the snow. But in the summer, she would return East, where her world revolved around her 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 2 year-old great-granddaughter. A gifted quilter, she'd often work under her favorite tree, or sometimes sew aprons with the logos of the Jets and the Giants to give out at the church where she volunteered. A Republican, she took a liking to Gabby, and wanted to get to know her better.

Dorwan and Mavy Stoddard grew up in Tucson together - about seventy years ago. They moved apart and started their own respective families, but after both were widowed they found their way back here, to, as one of Mavy's daughters put it, "be boyfriend and girlfriend again." When they weren't out on the road in their motor home, you could find them just up the road, helping folks in need at the Mountain Avenue Church of Christ. A retired construction worker, Dorwan spent his spare time fixing up the church along with their dog, Tux. His final act of selflessness was to dive on top of his wife, sacrificing his life for hers.

Everything Gabe Zimmerman did, he did with passion - but his true passion was people. As Gabby's outreach director, he made the cares of thousands of her constituents his own, seeing to it that seniors got the Medicare benefits they had earned, that veterans got the medals and care they deserved, that government was working for ordinary folks. He died doing what he loved - talking with people and seeing how he could help. Gabe is survived by his parents, Ross and Emily, his brother, Ben, and his fiancée, Kelly, who he planned to marry next year.

And then there is nine year-old Christina Taylor Green. Christina was an A student, a dancer, a gymnast, and a swimmer. She often proclaimed that she wanted to be the first woman to play in the major leagues, and as the only girl on her Little League team, no one put it past her. She showed an appreciation for life uncommon for a girl her age, and would remind her mother, "We are so blessed. We have the best life." And she'd pay those blessings back by participating in a charity that helped children who were less fortunate.

Our hearts are broken by their sudden passing. Our hearts are broken - and yet, our hearts also have reason for fullness.

Our hearts are full of hope and thanks for the 13 Americans who survived the shooting, including the congresswoman many of them went to see on Saturday. I have just come from the University Medical Center, just a mile from here, where our friend Gabby courageously fights to recover even as we speak. And I can tell you this - she knows we're here and she knows we love her and she knows that we will be rooting for her throughout what will be a difficult journey.

And our hearts are full of gratitude for those who saved others. We are grateful for Daniel Hernandez, a volunteer in Gabby's office who ran through the chaos to minister to his boss, tending to her wounds to keep her alive. We are grateful for the men who tackled the gunman as he stopped to reload. We are grateful for a petite 61 year-old, Patricia Maisch, who wrestled away the killer's ammunition, undoubtedly saving some lives. And we are grateful for the doctors and nurses and emergency medics who worked wonders to heal those who'd been hurt.

These men and women remind us that heroism is found not only on the fields of battle. They remind us that heroism does not require special training or physical strength. Heroism is here, all around us, in the hearts of so many of our fellow citizens, just waiting to be summoned - as it was on Saturday morning.

Their actions, their selflessness, also pose a challenge to each of us. It raises the question of what, beyond the prayers and expressions of concern, is required of us going forward. How can we honor the fallen? How can we be true to their memory?

You see, when a tragedy like this strikes, it is part of our nature to demand explanations - to try to impose some order on the chaos, and make sense out of that which seems senseless. Already we've seen a national conversation commence, not only about the motivations behind these killings, but about everything from the merits of gun safety laws to the adequacy of our mental health systems. Much of this process, of debating what might be done to prevent such tragedies in the future, is an essential ingredient in our exercise of self-government.

But at a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized - at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do - it's important for us 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.

Scripture tells us that there is evil in the world, and that terrible things happen for reasons that defy human understanding. In the words of Job, "when I looked for light, then came darkness." Bad things happen, and we must guard against simple explanations in the aftermath.

For the truth is that none of us can know exactly what triggered this vicious attack. None of us can know with any certainty what might have stopped those shots from being fired, or what thoughts lurked in the inner recesses of a violent man's mind.

So yes, we must examine all the facts behind this tragedy. We cannot and will not be passive in the face of such violence. We should be willing to challenge old assumptions in order to lessen the prospects of violence in the future.

But what we can't do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on one another. As we discuss these issues, let each of us do so with a good dose of humility. Rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame, let us use this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy, and remind ourselves of all the ways our hopes and dreams are bound together.

After all, that's what most of us do when we lose someone in our family – especially if the loss is unexpected. We're shaken from our routines, and forced to look inward. We reflect on the past. Did we spend enough time with an aging parent, we wonder. Did we express our gratitude for all the sacrifices they made for us? Did we tell a spouse just how desperately we loved them, not just once in awhile but every single day?

So sudden loss causes us to look backward – but it also forces us to look forward, to reflect on the present and the future, on the manner in which we live our lives and nurture our relationships with those who are still with us. We may ask ourselves if we've shown enough kindness and generosity and compassion to the people in our lives. Perhaps we question whether we are doing right by our children, or our community, and whether our priorities are in order. We recognize our own mortality, and are reminded that in the fleeting time we have on this earth, what matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame – but rather, how well we have loved, and what small part we have played in bettering the lives of others.

That process of reflection, of making sure we align our values with our actions – that, I believe, is what a tragedy like this requires. For those who were harmed, those who were killed – they are part of our family, an American family 300 million strong. We may not have known them personally, but we surely see ourselves in them. In George and Dot, in Dorwan and Mavy, we sense the abiding love we have for our own husbands, our own wives, our own life partners. Phyllis – she's our mom or grandma; Gabe our brother or son. In Judge Roll, we recognize not only a man who prized his family and doing his job well, but also a man who embodied America's fidelity to the law. In Gabby, we see a reflection of our public spiritedness, that desire to participate in that sometimes frustrating, sometimes contentious, but always necessary and never-ending process to form a more perfect union.

And in Christina... in Christina we see all of our children. So curious, so trusting, so energetic and full of magic.

So deserving of our love.

And so deserving of our good example. If this tragedy prompts reflection and debate, as it should, let's make sure it's worthy of those we have lost. Let's make sure it's not on the usual plane of politics and point scoring and pettiness that drifts away with the next news cycle.

The loss of these wonderful people should make every one of us strive to be better in our private lives – to be better friends and neighbors, co-workers and parents. And if, as has been discussed in recent days, their deaths help usher in more civility in our public discourse, let's remember that it is not because a simple lack of civility caused this tragedy, but rather because only a more civil and honest public discourse can help us face up to our challenges as a nation, in a way that would make them proud. It should be because we want to live up to the example of public servants like John Roll and Gabby Giffords, who knew first and foremost that we are all Americans, and that we can question each other's ideas without questioning each other's love of country, and that our task, working together, is to constantly widen the circle of our concern so that we bequeath the American dream to future generations.

I believe we can be better. Those who died here, those who saved lives here – they help me believe. We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us. I believe that for all our imperfections, we are full of decency and goodness, and that the forces that divide us are not as strong as those that unite us.

That's what I believe, in part because that's what a child like Christina Taylor Green believed. Imagine: here was a young girl who was just becoming aware of our democracy; just beginning to understand the obligations of citizenship; just starting to glimpse the fact that someday she too might play a part in shaping her nation's future. She had been elected to her student council; she saw public service as something exciting, something hopeful. She was off to meet her congresswoman, someone she was sure was good and important and might be a role model. She saw all this through the eyes of a child, undimmed by the cynicism or vitriol that we adults all too often just take for granted.

I want us to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it. All of us – we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations.

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.

May God bless and keep those we've lost in restful and eternal peace. May He love and watch over the survivors. And may He bless the United States of America."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-01-13

[richard10365]

It was a very good speech!

[siampolee]

As Scripture tells us:

May God bless and keep those we've lost in restful and eternal peace. May He love and watch over the survivors. And may He bless the United States of America."

Therein lies the root of the problem. RELIGION

A ridiculous belief in an urban myth with many facets that drives people to kill . God loves you all, however if you don't love my brand of God I will kill you.

God puts my country first.

The current comments concerning the victims in the case and also the ideals of the killer seem to be becoming something of a bigoted religious minefield.

[Ulysses G.]

As Scripture tells us:

May God bless and keep those we've lost in restful and eternal peace. May He love and watch over the survivors. And may He bless the United States of America."

Therein lies the root of the problem. RELIGION

The root of the problem is PEOPLE.

The shooter was not religious, he was just full of hate.

[Jingthing]

All presidents are required to mouth that "God Bless America" crapola. The people expect it. The USA will never have an avowed atheist or agnostic president and that is a shame in a country which professes freedom of religion. Freedom of religion should include the freedom FROM religion. In any case, you can't blame Obama for playing the game. The good news is that it's clear Obama is no religious fanatic who hears "voices" from God as Bush openly claimed (the voices probably encouraged him to attack Iraq, the biggest foreign policy mistake in American history). Talk about being out of touch with reality and having hallucinations ...

BTW, yes it was a good speech. I rate Obama's chances at reelection to be very probable.

Edited January 13, 2011 by Jingthing

[EnSvenskTiger]

Would " Rahimakallah!" be OK for an merkan pressident?

We will see in the future perhaps.

Tiger

Edit and Btw this one is full of retoric but nothing else!

Edited January 13, 2011 by EnSvenskTiger

[Jingthing]

Would " Rahimakallah!" be OK for an merkan pressident?

We will see in the future perhaps.

Tiger

Edit and Btw this one is full of retoric but nothing else!

If you're asking. A Jewish president. Very unlikely. A Muslim president. Almost impossible, but more so than an atheist.

[Ulysses G.]

Barry Goldwater was from a Jewish family and he never tried to hide it. In fact, he often referred to himself as Jewish, even though he sometimes attended church.

If he could win the Republican nomination for President when Americans were much more bigoted than now, a Jewish President is far from unlikely. If Gabby Giffords recovers fully, she might even have a shot.

[LaoPo]

Barry Goldwater was from a Jewish family and he never tried to hide it. In fact, he often referred to himself as Jewish, even though he sometimes attended church.

If he could win the Republican nomination for President when Americans were much more bigoted than now, a Jewish President is far from unlikely. If Gabby Giffords recovers fully, she might even have a shot.

Is she considered Jewish by Americans standards?

Normally someone is only considered Jewish if the MOTHER is Jewish and her Mother was not....just her Father.

"Giffords was born in Tucson, Arizona, to Gloria Kay (née Fraser) and Spencer J. Giffords. Her father is a first cousin of director Bruce Paltrow, whose daughter is actress Gwyneth Paltrow.^[9] Giffords was raised in a mixed religious environment by her Jewish father and Christian Science-practicing mother. She has identified herself solely with Judaism since 2001, belonging to Congregation Chaverim, a Reform synagogue, in Tucson.^[1][10] She is Arizona's first Jewish Congresswoman.^{[11][12] "}

^{http://en.wikipedia....rielle_Giffords}

^{For the record: I don't object to anybody's religion as long as it isn't radical.}

^LaoPo

[Ulysses G.]

Anyone who practices the Jewish religion is Jewish. However, as far as I can figure out, Jewish people think that a Jewish mother makes it automatic - even if the person is not at all religious.

[geriatrickid]

As Scripture tells us:

May God bless and keep those we've lost in restful and eternal peace. May He love and watch over the survivors. And may He bless the United States of America."

Therein lies the root of the problem. RELIGION

A ridiculous belief in an urban myth with many facets that drives people to kill . God loves you all, however if you don't love my brand of God I will kill you.

God puts my country first.

The current comments concerning the victims in the case and also the ideals of the killer seem to be becoming something of a bigoted religious minefield.

You and others are reading far more into his comment than what was intended. Bear in mind that all of those killed were religious or were affiliated with a religious institution. For example, the federal judge had just come from mass which he attended daily. One of the victims was a pastor. Two of the ladies were active at their respective churches. The husband of the injured congresswoman attends church. The comments were intended to bring solace to the families and friends of the deceased and the injured and were respective of their personal religious affiliations. The comments were non denominational and can not in any way be considered offensive to anyone. What is wrong with appealing to these people's respective God(s) for a blessing?

I am not religious and am quite secular. I did not find the comments offensive or an intrusion into my own beliefs. Nowhere did President Obama or anyone else for that matter invoke the name of God to kill anyone or put his/her country first? Asking for a blessing is harmless. I once attended a ceremony where a local anglican priest blessed peoples companion animals, which in my case was my friend's Irish wolfhound. I suggest that you consult a dictionary as th word blessing has multiple definitions, chief amongst them as follows;

- special favor, mercy, or benefit

- a favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness. - the invoking of God's favor upon a person

- approval or good wishes

There really is no need to transform a heartfelt appeal for calm into something evil.

[JUDAS]

Having just read the speech I think the President delivered what the people needed.

[geriatrickid]

I do not know why the thread has veered off onto a tangent about the Congresswoman's denomination. It is only a matter of time before someone trots out the Nürnberger Gesetze and the thread lurches in the direction of measuring the poor woman's nose. it is a creepy shift and one that is discomforting.

[LaoPo]

I do not know why the thread has veered off onto a tangent about the Congresswoman's denomination. It is only a matter of time before someone trots out the Nürnberger Gesetze and the thread lurches in the direction of measuring the poor woman's nose. it is a creepy shift and one that is discomforting.

I agree, religion has nothing to do with the OP; sorry for my contribution which was just a mere question, not a discussion about the Congresswoman's religion since I never thought about it until another member brought it up.

LaoPo

[Hawaiian]

I do not know why the thread has veered off onto a tangent about the Congresswoman's denomination. It is only a matter of time before someone trots out the Nürnberger Gesetze and the thread lurches in the direction of measuring the poor woman's nose. it is a creepy shift and one that is discomforting.

I agree, religion has nothing to do with the OP; sorry for my contribution which was just a mere question, not a discussion about the Congresswoman's religion since I never thought about it until another member brought it up.

LaoPo

My father was a Quaker and my mother was Catholic. I was baptized in the Catholic Church and attended a Catholic school for 12 years. Being a free thinker I always questioned the teachings of the Catholic Church. I really gave my religion instructors a hard time when they skirted around controversial issues. I soon realized that it was not only my church, but every major world religion was guilty of crimes against humanity.

Today I am an agnostic, but respect peoples religious beliefs as long as they keep them to themselves. I believe that religion has no place in politics and fear any country that has an official state religion.

While not a fan of Obama, I think he did what was expected of him in his official capacity as President of the U.S.

So why are some posters making an issue about the victims' religious beliefs? Totally inappropriate comments like these should be kept to themselves.

[Jingthing]

Barry Goldwater was from a Jewish family and he never tried to hide it. In fact, he often referred to himself as Jewish, even though he sometimes attended church.

...

For the record, you're wrong about Goldwater. Father Jewish. Mother Christian Episcopalian. Practicing Christian Episcopalian. Not Jewish.

Michael Bloomberg, a very qualified and attractive presidential choice, has commented a number of times that his status as a Jew would be a huge handicap to getting elected (particularly as a rich New York Jew), and has mentioned that as a reason why he doesn't run.

Edited January 14, 2011 by Jingthing

[Ulysses G.]

Actually, I am not. I did not say that he practiced the Jewish religion. I said that he came from a Jewish family and did not try to hide it. Bigots usually do not make a big distinction.

His father's Jewish American family had founded Goldwater's, the largest department store in Phoenix. The family name had been changed from Goldwasser to Goldwater at least as early as the 1860 census in Los Angeles, California. Goldwater's paternal grandparents, Michel and Sarah (Nathan) Goldwasser, had been married in the Great Synagogue of London.^[4][5] Goldwater's mother came from an old Yankee family that included the famous theologian, Roger Williams of Rhode Island.^[6] Goldwater's parents were married in an Episcopal church in Phoenix; for his entire life, Goldwater was an Episcopalian, though on rare occasions he referred to himself as "Jewish".^{[7]http://en.wikipedia....Barry_Goldwater}

My guess is that if a popular Jewish candidate ran, for President he could win. After all, a black man won and won handily.

Edited January 14, 2011 by Ulysses G.

[TAWP]

Today I am an agnostic, but respect peoples religious beliefs as long as they keep them to themselves. I believe that religion has no place in politics and fear any country that has an official state religion.

Welcome to the club.

[Jingthing]

Today I am an agnostic, but respect peoples religious beliefs as long as they keep them to themselves. I believe that religion has no place in politics and fear any country that has an official state religion.

Welcome to the club.

Good luck with that. It finds its way into politics in most countries, state religion, or no state religion.

[TAWP]

Today I am an agnostic, but respect peoples religious beliefs as long as they keep them to themselves. I believe that religion has no place in politics and fear any country that has an official state religion.

Welcome to the club.

Good luck with that. It finds its way into politics in most countries, state religion, or no state religion.

All the more reason to fight it. And it does not in northern Europe...

[Jingthing]

Today I am an agnostic, but respect peoples religious beliefs as long as they keep them to themselves. I believe that religion has no place in politics and fear any country that has an official state religion.

Welcome to the club.

Good luck with that. It finds its way into politics in most countries, state religion, or no state religion.

All the more reason to fight it. And it does not in northern Europe...

Yes, Northern Europe would be exceptions. So what? I can see fighting it in your own country, but I don't think it's any of our business how other countries operate. That smacks of arrogant colonialism to me to lord it over foreign countries as if we know best for them. If Iran wants to be an Islamic state, that's their internal matter. That isn't the same thing as condoning stoning of adulterous women in Iran. That's a specific outrage and not all Islamic states feature such barbaric practices.

Edited January 14, 2011 by Jingthing

[TAWP]

I can see fighting it in your own country, but I don't think it's any of our business how other countries operate. That smacks of arrogant colonialism to me to lord it over foreign countries as if we know best for them. If Iran wants to be an Islamic state, that's their internal matter. That isn't the same thing as condoning stoning of adulterous women in Iran. That's a specific outrage and not all Islamic states feature such barbaric practices.

Now you are way off-topic, but that remark is a genuine cop-out if anything...you cannot pretend that being against one thing about a country is colonialism but being against another is not. You sound like a typical confused liberal.

[Jingthing]

I can see fighting it in your own country, but I don't think it's any of our business how other countries operate. That smacks of arrogant colonialism to me to lord it over foreign countries as if we know best for them. If Iran wants to be an Islamic state, that's their internal matter. That isn't the same thing as condoning stoning of adulterous women in Iran. That's a specific outrage and not all Islamic states feature such barbaric practices.

Now you are way off-topic, but that remark is a genuine cop-out if anything...you cannot pretend that being against one thing about a country is colonialism but being against another is not. You sound like a typical confused liberal.

At least I'm a liberal, and proud of it. This policemen of the world thing, it ain't happening. Trying to force a country like Iran to "de-Muslify" will only make them angry and want to be even more extreme. On the other hand, international shaming over specific barbaric practices/human rights violations of any country, state religion or not, can sometimes be effective.

Edited January 14, 2011 by Jingthing

[TAWP]

I can see fighting it in your own country, but I don't think it's any of our business how other countries operate. That smacks of arrogant colonialism to me to lord it over foreign countries as if we know best for them. If Iran wants to be an Islamic state, that's their internal matter. That isn't the same thing as condoning stoning of adulterous women in Iran. That's a specific outrage and not all Islamic states feature such barbaric practices.

Now you are way off-topic, but that remark is a genuine cop-out if anything...you cannot pretend that being against one thing about a country is colonialism but being against another is not. You sound like a typical confused liberal.

At least I'm a liberal, and proud of it. This policemen of the world thing, it ain't happening. Trying to force a country like Iran to "de-Muslify" will only make them angry and want to be even more extreme. On the other hand, international shaming over specific barbaric practices/human rights violations of any country, state religion or not, can sometimes be effective.

Policemen of the world...the Democrat party has been doing a far share of their actions in that too. No exception there.

Atleast I am Libertarian - the American Libertarian party were the only one of the 3 biggest that was fully against the war in Iraq and has a clear non-intervention and non-imperialistic platform...

[Hawaiian]

What label is used for someone who:

1. Believes in the gold standard or some form of it.

2. Was against the war in Iraq and thinks the U.S. should get out of Afghanistan now.

3. Thinks the U.S. should abolish all income and estate taxes and replace it with a sales tax.

4. Wants higher education in the U.S. to be free for all U.S. citizens.

5. Wants the U.S. federal government to get tough on illegal immigration.

6. Does not belong to any political party and thinks the two major parties in the U.S. are

both equally to blame for the sorry state of affair in America today.

[Hawaiian]

Some people will go to great lengths to express their political beliefs.

http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=25400862

Edited January 14, 2011 by Hawaiian

[endure]

Today I am an agnostic, but respect peoples religious beliefs as long as they keep them to themselves. I believe that religion has no place in politics and fear any country that has an official state religion.

Welcome to the club.

Good luck with that. It finds its way into politics in most countries, state religion, or no state religion.

All the more reason to fight it. And it does not in northern Europe...

The UK has what amounts to a state religion. The Church of England is the officially established church in the UK with the reigning monarch as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

[Jingthing]

What label is used for someone who:

1. Believes in the gold standard or some form of it.

2. Was against the war in Iraq and thinks the U.S. should get out of Afghanistan now.

3. Thinks the U.S. should abolish all income and estate taxes and replace it with a sales tax.

4. Wants higher education in the U.S. to be free for all U.S. citizens.

5. Wants the U.S. federal government to get tough on illegal immigration.

6. Does not belong to any political party and thinks the two major parties in the U.S. are

both equally to blame for the sorry state of affair in America today.

Paranoid schizophrenic seems to be the popular diagnosis at present, but personally I don't think the entire story has been told YET.

[Hawaiian]

The UK has what amounts to a state religion. The Church of England is the officially established church in the UK with the reigning monarch as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

And England has a history of punishing non-believers by chopping off their heads or worse.

[Hawaiian]

What label is used for someone who:

1. Believes in the gold standard or some form of it.

2. Was against the war in Iraq and thinks the U.S. should get out of Afghanistan now.

3. Thinks the U.S. should abolish all income and estate taxes and replace it with a sales tax.

4. Wants higher education in the U.S. to be free for all U.S. citizens.

5. Wants the U.S. federal government to get tough on illegal immigration.

6. Does not belong to any political party and thinks the two major parties in the U.S. are

both equally to blame for the sorry state of affair in America today.

Paranoid schizophrenic seems to be the popular diagnosis at present, but personally I don't think the entire story has been told YET.

Is that worse than calling oneself a proud liberal?

Edited January 15, 2011 by Hawaiian