Mr. President, may I have a word with you?
I know, we've had our differences, over the years. I've been disappointed and angry with you, at times.
But today, while I watched your face, your eyes, while you gave those remarks today on Gun Violence in America and what you intend to do about it?
Today, I finally see, truly see what being the President of the United States of America has been costing you, how high a price you have been paying, for all of us.
I see the anguish that is eating you up over the ridiculously senseless and tragic deaths of those little boys and girls and their teachers, in Newtown, Connecticut. I see the traces of the tears that you have all too apparently been shedding, as you tell the Nation of your intentions regarding gun violence in America. I see your humanity.
Underlying all of that, I see your resolve.
I never thought that you were merely a gifted speaker, although you are that. I always felt that there was some steel in your spine. Now I see that I was right.
So, if the issue of what to do about all the guns that litter our society, and kill so many of our fellow citizens, is what it took to bring it out in you; then I say, damned glad to see it.
So, please, let me take this small moment to tell you how very proud I am to be a citizen of These United States with President Barack Obama steering the Ship of State.
You, sir, are a man of whom history will say, "Barack Obama was an honorable man, in an office which had seen little of that for many years. His second term, and the political victories he won during those four years, were etched clearly on his face, as is plain in portraits done during his late 50's, in his post-presidential years. He was, in short, a Man of and for The People."
Thank you, Mr. President, for your Service.
I watched these remarks today, and was so struck by the absolutely tragic look on the President's face as he gave them, by the evidence of recent tears in his eyes, and the determined, resolute cast to his face as he spoke the final words - which gave me hope that my desire for a better world is still possible.
Please, do your part to ensure that our Congress takes up it's share of the burden to confront Gun Violence in America. Call your Senators and Representatives. Do what the President suggests, if they say they can't or won't support universal background checks - ask them why not. Like the President said, "Ask them what’s more important -- doing whatever it takes to get a A grade from the gun lobby that funds their campaigns, or giving parents some peace of mind when they drop their child off for first grade?"
Until the American People demand it, until enough of us stand up and say, "Enough!", nothing will happen. So, like President Barack Obama said today, "Let’s do the right thing. Let’s do the right thing for them, and for this country that we love so much."
Contact your US Senators here
Contact your US Representative here...
or use this handy Daily Kos action item, which finds your US Representative, HERE, with an already completed email message, which you can edit if you want.
From President Obama's remarks on the subject of Gun Violence at the South Court Auditorium at 11:52 A.M. EST on January 16, 2013:
In the letter that Julia wrote me, she said, “I know that laws have to be passed by Congress, but I beg you to try very hard.” (Laughter.) Julia, I will try very hard. But she’s right. The most important changes we can make depend on congressional action. They need to bring these proposals up for a vote, and the American people need to make sure that they do.
Get them on record. Ask your member of Congress if they support universal background checks to keep guns out of the wrong hands. Ask them if they support renewing a ban on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. And if they say no, ask them why not. Ask them what’s more important -- doing whatever it takes to get a A grade from the gun lobby that funds their campaigns, or giving parents some peace of mind when they drop their child off for first grade? (Applause.)
This is the land of the free, and it always will be. As Americans, we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights that no man or government can take away from us. But we've also long recognized, as our Founders recognized, that with rights come responsibilities. Along with our freedom to live our lives as we will comes an obligation to allow others to do the same. We don’t live in isolation. We live in a society, a government of, and by, and for the people. We are responsible for each other.
and he ends these remarks with:
And so just before I left, Chris, her father, gave me one of her paintings, and I hung it in my private study just off the Oval Office. And every time I look at that painting, I think about Grace. And I think about the life that she lived and the life that lay ahead of her, and most of all, I think about how, when it comes to protecting the most vulnerable among us, we must act now -- for Grace. For the 25 other innocent children and devoted educators who had so much left to give. For the men and women in big cities and small towns who fall victim to senseless violence each and every day. For all the Americans who are counting on us to keep them safe from harm. Let’s do the right thing. Let’s do the right thing for them, and for this country that we love so much.
The video from YouTube and the AP: