THIS Is How You Respond To An Atrocity
You can read the letter that Mayor Pete Buttigieg penned to the Muslim community of South Bend in its entirety in this piece. I found his words to be deeply moving.
I haven’t yet researched his background as much as I’d like, but what he did was…Presidential.
Here are some excerpts:
“As you gather this evening, I write to tell you that this City is absolutely committed to your safety and well-being. I want you to know that this entire City has its arms around you, in love and peace, and that we support you as you practice your faith here in this community, our community, this home we share,” he wrote, acknowledging Jummah Friday. “The diversity of our community is its strength, and the members of the Islamic community have greatly enriched this City, in your worship, in your service, even by the diversity of nationalities among your number. We would be poorer without you.”
“…“I wish to tell you not only that you are loved but also needed,” he added. “You are our teachers and our doctors; our neighbors and our friends. We all live here as one, and whether you grew up right her in South Bend or whether this is your first year in America, you have an equal claim on the blessings of life in this community, and a great deal to contribute. And so we are thankful to count you among us.”
Among many other tasks, the President should be capable of being the Consoler-In-Chief. On that score at least, Mayor Pete is far more presidential than the criminal who inhabits the White House.
He’s gotten my attention.
That’s awesome. He is impressive.
Mine, too. I’ve been pretty impressed from what I’ve seen and heard from Mayor Pete over the last month or so. He appears to be too nice a guy to up against the rethuglican propaganda machine in the presidential election, but I think that he’d make an excellent Vice President.
So…
?/Buttigieg 2020!
Oops… That should be “to go up against” in line three, but you probably figured that out.
“Among many other tasks, the President should be capable of being the Consoler-In-Chief. On that score at least, Mayor Pete is far more presidential than the criminal who inhabits the White House.”
Absolutely. The entire world waits for such words from the President. Of course, now that the bar is so low….wait a minute…there is no longer even a bar! Anyway, I have a pet rock that more capable of conveying sympathy and empathy than the current resident.
Regardless of their politics, that is one role that we have long enjoyed with all our President’s. The absence of that voice is never felt more keenly than times like these.