Expand our moral imaginations

Quotes of the day: [From President Barack Obama's speech in Tucson, Arizona last night - italics - mine]

"... 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."

"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."

"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."

 "... 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."

"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 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."

A year ago at Mining Nuggets: Writing in the dark

Comments

[Kay Dennison]

Too bad that the people who should be reading this, aren't.

We're dealing with people who have no sense of decency or this tragedy would have never happened.

[Joy]

President Obama's speech was just awesome...heartwarming, sincere, inspiring and touching. It was something I think we all needed to hear. Thanks for the post Tamarika. ~Joy

[Jan delacourt]

Thank you so much for posting this so it can be rear and reread.Jan

[ainelivia]

One hell of a guy is Barack Obama. America is fortunate.

I kind of hear him saying that maybe all of us might need to rekindle or re-find, the trust, hope and unconditional love that children posess in abundance. lovely post T. Thank you