»» Columnists

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer Speaks Movingly at Tucson Memorial

by Tommy Christopher | 8:02 am, January 13th, 2011

» 34 comments

While President Obama‘s speech at Wednesday night’s “Together We Thrive” memorial to the victims of Saturday’s mass shooting is justly receiving a lot of attention, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer also delivered stirring remarks at the event. While the contrast between the President’s speech and that of Sarah Palin will likely be the topic of the day, Brewer’s brief remarks displayed the hope for a more civil relationship between rivals embodied in the President’s address.

Governor Brewer and the President have famously butted heads, mostly over immigration, and even been pitted against each other in testicular combat by Palin. In the spirit of recent events, though, during Brewer’s moving remarks about the victims of Saturday’s shootings, Brewer took a moment to thank President Obama, and spoke powerfully about unity in her state. Obama’s and Brewer’s remarks, along with others I have seen from political figures like House Speaker John Boehner, seem to indicate that this event has profoundly changed them.

Her grief is palpable throughout the speech, but I was most moved by the second nature with which she said “my friend Gabby Giffords.”

Many have remarked about the conduct of the crowd at this event, as well. While I think it’s perfectly fine to make observations, I also have a hard time with people passing judgment on the conduct of grief-stricken people. Over the years, I’ve learned that in intense times, there really is no behavioral norm. While the cheers may seem odd or irreverent, a community in such a state of intense sorrow shouldn’t be begrudged moments of uplift.

Having said that, this phenomenon reached its disconcerting zenith during Brewer’s speech, as uproarious applause followed her reading of the line “We also lost Christine Taylor Green.”

Still, the intent was clearly to show appreciation for, and celebrate, the lives lost or shattered that day.

There have been some reports of booing during Brewer’s speech, but if there was, it can’t be heard on the tape, and Brewer, thankfully, doesn’t appear to have heard them: (from C-Span)

Arizona, barack obama, Christina Taylor Green, Christine Taylor Green, Daniel Hernandez, Gabe Zimmerman, Gabrielle Giffords, Jan Brewer, Mark Kelly, Memorial, Michelle Obama, president, President Obama, Sarah Palin, shootings, Tucson

The Real Royal King

Governor Brewer has frequently shown herself to be the weakest of speakers, but she truly rose to the occasion last night. I commend her.
trica

http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2010/09/14/20100914jan-brewer-son-medical-records.html
philipjames

I see that Tommy, the Mediate Resident Palin hater, just had to put in some smart ass comment re Palin… something about comparing Brewer speech to Palin’s.
What a jerk off. And what a life it must be to wake up each day with the single task of finding something negative to say about Sarah Palin.
That must be a sick life. A waste of space in this world. And one of the most hateful use of money by George Soros to pay him to do it.
philipjames

You want the truth? Well, even Al Sharpton could not handle the truth…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CatBSsYG_to
philipjames

trica said:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2010/09/14/20100914jan-brewer-son-medical-records.html

So, what is this? an attempt to smear Jan Brewer because her son has had mental problems all his life? How about we look at your family and see if there is a problem there? jerk off. LIBERAL HATE MONGER
Tommy Christopher

philipjames said:
What a jerk off. And what a life it must be to wake up each day with the single task of finding something negative to say about Sarah Palin.

What negative thing did I say about Sarah Palin? The article is right above you there. Quote, please.
Gasket

It was a great speech. No Brewer lover here, but it was good!
Penguin60

trica said:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2010/09/14/20100914jan-brewer-son-medical-records.html

Only a twisted sick mind would think this was pertinent. Get some help. Too early in the day for the most inane post but certainly a contender.

“Ronald Brewer’s mother is a public figure in the State of Arizona,” the motion states. “It has come to our attention that others have recently attempted to embarrass Ronald Brewer and his family by publicizing his criminal and mental-health problems,” it states.
trica

philipjames says:
January 13, 2011 at 9:14 am (Quote)
0 2
trica said:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2010/09/14/20100914jan-brewer-son-medical-records.html

“So, what is this? an attempt to smear Jan Brewer because her son has had mental problems all his life? How about we look at your family and see if there is a problem there? jerk off. LIBERAL HATE MONGER”

No l RIGHT WING LOVE MONGER this is just to inform YOU that A Sad Song Don’t Care Whos’ Heart It Breaks! Wheather the nutjob criminal be in Jan’s family or yours. I just love the way you describe me. So much passion.. Now Kiss my Ass!
The Real Royal King

Penguin60 said:
Only a twisted sick mind would think this was pertinent. Get some help. Too early in the day for the most inane post but certainly a contender.

“Ronald Brewer’s mother is a public figure in the State of Arizona,” the motion states. “It has come to our attention that others have recently attempted to embarrass Ronald Brewer and his family by publicizing his criminal and mental-health problems,” it states.

This is a complicated issue. Free press concerns and the public’s right to know come into play. On balance, however, given the personal tragedy of all of this and the “staleness” of the offenses and record, I see no compelling need to know any of the details. The judge seems to think the newspaper has acted and will continue to act responsibly. Let’s hope so.
trica

@Penguin60

So much love.. Now Kiss My Ass!
BatBoy

Tommy Christopher said:
What negative thing did I say about Sarah Palin? The article is right above you there. Quote, please.

Tommy…you play a good game of playing “What me…I didn’t say anything!” I swear..it is like being in junior high school all over again…and I have been away from those grades for a very long time.

Some how, some way, you always find some way to weave Sarah Palin in a story. Here is your quote… “While the contrast between the President’s speech and that of Sarah Palin will likely be the topic of the day”

What exactly did that add to this story? Nothing really, other than for you to show us that Sarah Palin takes is living rent free in your brain. The story was about Jan Brewer and how well she did. Your added line about Sarah adds nothing to the story, except for you to tell us about your obsession of Sarah Palin.
greg454

““So, what is this? an attempt to smear Jan Brewer because her son has had mental problems all his life? How about we look at your family and see if there is a problem there? jerk off. LIBERAL HATE MONGER””

—That’s what they do! Of course, when you do something not even remotely as bad as that, they cry that you should tone down your rhetoric.

With that said, I commend Real Royal King for giving the governor credit for her speech. I am surprised, I hope he’s feeling well. ;)

http://libertarians4freedom.blogspot.com/2011/01/jewish-leaders-condemn-palins-blood.html
TfT

I don’t know why anyone would compare the two speeches in the first place. Sarah’s speech was in defense of herself from the attempts of political assassination on her by the likes of the liberal left loons in the media (Stephy, Dianne, the bower, the perkster, TC, etc). The President was invited to give a speech at a pep rally (oops, I mean a memorial service).

They both hit the mark for the intended purposes of their presentations. No need to compare, just compliment them both for doing it the right way, each in his/her own way.
BatBoy

BatBoy said:
Tommy

Tommy, I forgot to add the following comment. Ref your words: “I also have a hard time with people passing judgment on the conduct of grief-stricken people. Over the years, I’ve learned that in intense times, there really is no behavioral norm. While the cheers may seem odd or irreverent, a community in such a state of intense sorrow shouldn’t be begrudged moments of uplift.”

Don’t fall out of your chair, but I agree with you 100% on this. Ways of handling grief are as diverse as the number of people affected. In this case, all of us feel grief and sorrow in our own way and no one should be criticized.
Penguin60

The Real Royal King said:
This is a complicated issue. Free press concerns and the public’s right to know come into play. On balance, however, given the personal tragedy of all of this and the “staleness” of the offenses and record, I see no compelling need to know any of the details. The judge seems to think the newspaper has acted and will continue to act responsibly. Let’s hope so.

Criminal record I believe is fair game, but I there is a thing called HIPAA out there that precludes release of medical information. Perhaps there needs to be a stronger correlation between these sick individuals and gun sales. But then I think anyone with a PFA should not have a gun.
Gasket

BatBoy said:
Tommy…you play a good game of playing “What me…I didn’t say anything!” I swear..it is like being in junior high school all over again…and I have been away from those grades for a very long time.

Some how, some way, you always find some way to weave Sarah Palin in a story. Here is your quote… “While the contrast between the President’s speech and that of Sarah Palin will likely be the topic of the day”

What exactly did that add to this story? Nothing really, other than for you to show us that Sarah Palin takes is living rent free in your brain. The story was about Jan Brewer and how well she did. Your added line about Sarah adds nothing to the story, except for you to tell us about your obsession of Sarah Palin.

Tommy is wrong….why?
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/47543.html

Out of the whole story you guys pick ONE sentence to gripe over?

Jan Brewer’s story can not be told in a vacuum. There has to be context.
Penguin60

trica said:
So much love.. Now Kiss My Ass!

Ha, now that’s irony!
The Real Royal King

Penguin60 said:
Criminal record I believe is fair game, but I there is a thing called HIPAA out there that precludes release of medical information. Perhaps there needs to be a stronger correlation between these sick individuals and gun sales. But then I think anyone with a PFA should not have a gun.

It is only the public, criminal record we’re talking about, isn’t it?
Penguin60

The Real Royal King said:
It is only the public, criminal record we’re talking about, isn’t it?

Didn’t he have kidnapping/rape charges against him?
Tucker P.

Don’t see what people call moving . She read a scripted very mono speech . And barely did that . But hey if this is what Az. wants for a Governor fine . I’ve seen and heard her many times . She gets lost for words and starts just rambling . At least she had all the words right in front of her this time .
I don’t mean that mean now folks .
Grammie

I went to the link re “booing” Gov Brewer which is a NYT article. I thought this sentence with no mention of Krugman’s part in the whole debacle rather ironic.

“While some on the left sought to link the killing to the Tea Party movement or to heated speech from prominent Republicans like Sarah Palin”
Latin2

The Difference.

Student talks about the difference between the Virginia Tech massacre memorial and this pep…I mean memorial;

“I was in the audience in Cassel Coliseum on April 17, 2007. I heard President Bush speak after a crazy b@st@rd (Seung-Hui Cho) shot up my college.

In a few days I would bury a man whom I had last seen when he came up to me the week earlier to congratulate me on my baptism and entry into the Catholic Church over Easter Weekend. It would be my first military funeral, but not my last.

His name was Matthew Joseph La Porte.

I was a sophomore member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets (VTCC). Several of my friends and the woman I love most dearly were supposed to be in Norris Hall. Thankfully none of them were due to being late, ill, or simply choosing to skip classes. I was sequestered in the Pamplin College of Business building during the attack.

President Bush spoke for barely 10 minutes if that. He was solemn, dignified and respectful-although the microphone that broadcast into the rest of the coliseum was barely working and we could barely hear and understand him as a result-we got the point he made.

President Obama’s disgusting attempt at what appears to be a political rally in the wake of a similar massacre is beyond reprehensible.

Joshua sends a video reminder that there are young people — taking their cue from solemn adults — who know how to act appropriately at a college campus memorial for victims of mass murder. Flashback:”
Latin2

Penguin60 said:
Didn’t he have kidnapping/rape charges against him?

It will only back fire on Liberals if they make that more public, because she is very popular Governor in her state. She overwhelmingly won,and everyone knows the dirty tricks Liberals use.
Tommy Christopher

BatBoy said:
Tommy, I forgot to add the following comment. Ref your words: “I also have a hard time with people passing judgment on the conduct of grief-stricken people. Over the years, I’ve learned that in intense times, there really is no behavioral norm. While the cheers may seem odd or irreverent, a community in such a state of intense sorrow shouldn’t be begrudged moments of uplift.”

Don’t fall out of your chair, but I agree with you 100% on this. Ways of handling grief are as diverse as the number of people affected. In this case, all of us feel grief and sorrow in our own way and no one should be criticized.

Yeah, I was really disappointed by some of the comments I saw about it, especially on Twitter.
Pablo

Gasket said:
Tommy is wrong….why?
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/47543.html

Out of the whole story you guys pick ONE sentence to gripe over?

Jan Brewer’s story can not be told in a vacuum. There has to be context.

Yes, and that context is the memorial and the reason they were having it. How is Sarah Palin part of the Together We Thrive memorial context?
Penguin60

Latin2 said:
It will only back fire on Liberals if they make that more public, because she is very popular Governor in her state. She overwhelmingly won,and everyone knows the dirty tricks Liberals use.

I certainly agree, see my first post. That post was an answer to king.
Nacho

Tucker P. said:
Don’t see what people call moving . She read a scripted very mono speech . And barely did that . But hey if this is what Az. wants for a Governor fine . I’ve seen and heard her many times . She gets lost for words and starts just rambling . At least she had all the words right in front of her this time .
I don’t mean that mean now folks .

Another reason among many why people continue to question, “What the fuck is wrong with people in AZ?”
Latin2

Nacho said:
Another reason among many why people continue to question, “What the fuck is wrong with people in AZ?”

Actually MOST people agree with Arizona on many of their policies, including immigration.
Latin2

Tommy Christopher said:
Yeah, I was really disappointed by some of the comments I saw about it, especially on Twitter.

Where you “disppointed” on all those hateful baseless attacks on Sarah Palin and Conservatives just an hour after the shooting?

Or are you selective in your “disappointments” Tommy?
Latin2

That is “disappointed”
Latin2

Tommy, where you disappointed how some people attending the memorial BOOED the governor of Arizona?
CAconservative

Do ya think she got an answer from Obimbo, about the National Guard troops he was suppose to give her in 2-weeks, 6-months ago? Probably not. He was more involved in being reverent at the appropriate time, for the TV cameras.
What the hell does he care if Arizona is suffering, the state didn’t vote for him! This president has made it abundantly clear that he only represents selective states that fall into the Obimbo line. Demand he does his job and you are off his Xmas-list.
gar

Latin2 said:
Tommy, where you disappointed how some people attending the memorial BOOED the governor of Arizona?

He said it could not be heard on tape.
Funny considering he accused the tea party of throwing out the N WORD after health care was passed without anyone catching it on tape.
But that’s Tommy, a no talented hack cashing in on Palin. Lot’s of them out there. They claim she’s the monster but they keep feeding it. Pathetic!!!