I just saw President Obama shaking hands at the end of the Joplin memorial service

[malaise]

Did he speak?

[Faygo Kid]

1. Yes, of course. And it was memorable.

Beautiful address.

[malaise]

5. We went to a brunch

for disabled cricketers - hope CSpan repeat later,
Just watching him greet these people brings tears to my eyes

[malaise]

16. Repeat of President's remarks on CSpan1 at 6.30pm ET today

Time to leave CSPan1 Rubio coming up :evilgrin:

[Lefta Dissenter]

25. thanks for the heads up on that (n/t)

:hi:

[MadMaddie]

2. Yes he did!

It was very moving and non-political. He spoke of all of us being brothers and sisters and hero's walking among us.

You need to see the whole service it was very nice.

[malaise]

12. CSPan is showing him touring the devastation earlier

Touching

[HipChick]

3. Yes...We're not going anywhere...

he was awesome

[nenagh]

4. He did speak, malaise..

And what he said was beautiful..

He spoke of those people who had helped others during the tornado..

[RayOfHope]

6. A wonderful speech. I said on another thread

this is a heavily red area, but they won't soon forget that he came here to be with them.

[malaise]

7. Yes showing up matters

I am impressed.

Hope they repeat on CSpan later.

[SpiralHawk]

29. Obama is an American with respect & honor for the dead and their families

above and beyond those who are sucking up Memorial Day attention for their own ego gratification

[DURHAM D]

8. Yes.

I tuned in about 5 minutes before he finished.

Then I listened to the minister. This was clearly a memorial service that assumed all victims were Christian. I found it somewhat offensive. What about the non-believers? What about the victims that were of other (non-Christian) faiths?

I just get so tired of the arrogance of some Christians.

Obama's remarks were very appropriate.

[malaise]

9. They're shouting at him

Thank you for coming we love you :cry: :Cry:

[RayOfHope]

11. I keep saying this, but I just can't believe how much LOVE he is getting.

They kept shouting it during his speech, after his speech......

[malaise]

13. Turn on CSPan one and watch him

Amazing

[RayOfHope]

15. Thank you. Watching now n/t

[Flying Dream Blues]

21. I was choked up reading your post.

His is the kind of leadership that comforts and inspires. I'm glad he could be there!

[malaise]

23. It gives me hope

This is conservative white America.
M$Greedia really lies - they are the ones promoting hate and division.

[malaise]

10. You know my views on all religions

CSpan 1 is showing him touring the destruction.

[RayOfHope]

14. True, but this is the upper part of the Bible Belt

And I hear what you are saying. I live about 45 minutes away and we are being inundated with stories of "the whole house was blown to smithereens except for the family Bible".

The overwhelming message of the service though was "love your neighbor', which will hopefully carry over after the rebuilding.

[MadMaddie]

17. Agree! We are all brothers and sisters is the message.

[aquart]

18. But nobody had to give them that message.

Because that's what they did, over and over. He wasn't giving a message, just a description.

People survived because they helped each other.

I suppose someday I'll hear of a disaster where people didn't do that, but it would be extraordinarily against nature. We are social animals. We survive by helping. The most shocking thing is that members of our leadership, who I do not doubt would revert to instinct in a crisis, seem to have convinced themselves that it is unnatural for a society to make helping each other its goal.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

19. You're so right. It just comes naturally. Been there, done that and

if needed, will continue to do that.

[malaise]

26. Saw the repeat - real nice

The nicest part of the trip is that I never once saw the SS men - I have no doubt they were there (they'd better be) but they were not visible. I like Obama - he is the kind of man that makes a woman feel safe. I could seriously give him a big hug. :evilgrin:

[malaise]

20. People like to be reminded that they are basically decent

during crises

[sad sally]

22. Let's just hope that all these decent actions don't disappear before

most of the needs are met. Sadly, there's a penchant for the next disaster before grieving for the present one has even begun to subside.

[RayOfHope]

24. Yes! And its so wonderful the way people are coming from all over to help.

I guess what I mean is that people need to love their neighbors not just by rebuilding houses in disasters, but by making sure we are *all* taken care of (health care, social safety nets, etc). That's the message I want to carry over. Joplin is located in a heavily republican area. All the 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps' talk doesn't always work, and I hope they don't ever forget that safety nets have their place.

[barbtries]

28. thank you for mentioning that

i got kind of tired of it too. some people are good and want to help others even if they are not any religion at all. i said i guess it's small potatoes given the circumstances but appreciate the validation of your words.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=681570&mesg_id=681602

[barbtries]

27. yes he did

i'm sure you can see it all over the web.