Obama’s Speech in Arizona

Yesterday, I listened as he spoke at Tucson University, where he paid tribute to the six people killed and 14 wounded in the killing in Arizona and, in a special way, to the Democratic Congresswoman seriously wounded by a gunshot to the head. The actions were the work of an unbalanced person, intoxicated by the preaching of hatred that prevails in American society, where the fascist tea party group has imposed its extremism on the Republican Party. Under the aegis of George W. Bush, it led the world to where it is today: at the edge of the abyss.

Added to the disaster of the wars, there is also the largest economic crisis in U.S. history, government debt now amounting to 100 percent of GDP, which sums up to be a monthly deficit of over $80 billion, and again there is an increase in homes lost due to mortgage loans. The prices of oil, metals and food rise progressively. The distrust of paper money has increased the purchase of gold, and many predict that by the end of the year the price of this precious metal will rise to $2,000 a troy ounce. Some believe that it may even reach $2,500.

The phenomena regarding the climate have intensified, with crop losses in the Russian Federation, Europe, China, Australia and North and South America, as well as other areas, thus endangering food supplies for more than 80 third world countries, creating political instability in a growing number of them. The world faces so many problems regarding politics, military, energy, food and the environment that no country wants to force the U.S. to the extreme positions that would increase the risk of nuclear war.

The crime in Arizona, which was the scene of an act of this extremism, received almost unanimous international condemnation. No one expected an angry or confrontational speech from the president of the United States. It would not be his style, especially not with the internal circumstances and the climate of irrational hatred that is prevailing in the United States. The victims were unquestionably brave, with individual merits, and mostly humble citizens; otherwise they would not have been there, defending the right to health care for all Americans and opposing anti-immigrant laws.

The mother of the nine-year old girl, who was born on 9/11, had boldly declared that the hatred unleashed in the world should cease. As for me, I have no doubt that the victims were worthy of the recognition of the president of the United States, the citizens of Tucson, the university students and the doctors. As is usual when there are events of this nature, the solidarity that humans carry within themselves is expressed without reserve. Seriously injured Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is worthy of the national and international recognition that was paid to her. The medical team today continues to report positive news about her development.

However, Obama’s speech lacked any moral condemnation of the politics that inspired such action. I tried to imagine how men such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt would have reacted before such an event, not to mention Lincoln, who did not hesitate to give his famous speech at Gettysburg. What other moment is the U.S. president waiting for in order to be able to express the view that I am sure is shared by the vast majority of American people?

The issue is not that there is not an exceptional person leading the U.S. government. However, what makes a president historic is if he or she has been able to achieve the merits of the position. It is not the person but rather the need for that person at a given moment in the history of the country.

When he began his speech yesterday, he looked tense and highly dependent on the written page. He soon regained his composure, his usual command of the stage and the ability to find the right word to express his ideas. What he did not say was not said simply because he did not want to say it. As a piece of literature and just praise for those who deserved it, a prize could be awarded. As a political speech, it left much to be desired.