A Hackwhacker Challenge

Read these final words from the President's Tucson speech without choking up:

"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."

We couldn't do it either.

A Fitting Memorial

President Obama's speech at the memorial for victims of the Tucson shooting rampage is receiving high praise from supporters and opponents alike. One of the emotional high points came when he revealed that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords had opened her eyes for the first time earlier that day, and touched her nose and gave a "thumbs up" sign. Doctors treating her expressed amazement at her incredibly rapid progress.

The other emotional high point was when the President spoke of how best to honor the dead and wounded: to reflect on our level of discourse which has allowed images of violence and gun play to seep in, and to "do better." "How we treat each other," the President said, "is entirely up to us." Referring to the 9-year old victim Christina Taylor Green, Obama said to growing applause,

"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."

His words may not change some of the hardened attitudes of his most bitter opponents, but it showed the nation that we are led by a good man trying to do the right thing. . .as our children would expect.

(photo: UPI)