In Wake of Tragedy Obama Calls for Unity

Obama shakes hands with Mark Kelly, husban of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. To the left is Daniel Hernandez, the Giffords intern whose quick actions likely saved her life. (J. Scott Applewhite / AP)

President Obama’s speech in response to Saturday’s shooting was one of unity and coming together. He highlighted the brave acts of community members whose swift actions stopped the gunman and saved lives.

Rather than ask why this happened or who to blame, the speech asked that we “do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children’s expectations.

Salon editor-at large wrote:

There it was, folks, Saturday morning and again Wednesday night: our country, as good as it gets. Remember how great it looked and felt and sounded, when things inevitably get ugly again…

Like it or not, that’s American history: we are imperfect, descended from people who took land from Indians and Mexicans and who held slaves, but also from people who fought for equal rights for everyone, and who, over time, managed to create laws and values and customs that (mostly) do that. Daniel Hernandez began his speech with the words “e pluribus unum” — out of many, one — and even if it’s not an ideal we always live up to, it’s the best idea we’ve ever had as a nation.

Robert Shelton, president of the University of Arizona where the event took place, said:

“The president made a clear point that this wasn’t about politics — this was really about this community and how it shares values and how it can come together and support itself,” Shelton said. “Although we are a large metropolitan area… this is really a small town where we draw strength from the diversity that we have, all the different ethic groups, all the different political views, if you will, all the different backgrounds — and we can all come together.”