That's what presidents do. They're figureheads. They go, offer comfort, say a few words, and so forth.

If it was President Kerry you'd object?

This has been going on for 6 years. I doubt anybody is shocked that he will use it for a political photo op.

The President's visit to Blacksburg is no different than visits to New York after 9/11 or to New Orleans after Katrina or to Florida after the hurricanes. Presidents go to express the sympathy and caring of the Nation in the wake of such events.

The 'shameless' comments of our President today:

"Laura and I have come to Blacksburg today with hearts full of sorrow. This is a day of mourning for the Virginia Tech community -- and it is a day of sadness for our entire nation. We've come to express our sympathy. In this time of anguish, I hope you know that people all over this country are thinking about you, and asking God to provide comfort for all who have been affected."

And, there's more:

"It's impossible to make sense of such violence and suffering. Those whose lives were taken did nothing to deserve their fate. They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now they're gone -- and they leave behind grieving families, and grieving classmates, and a grieving nation."

"In such times as this, we look for sources of strength to sustain us. And in this moment of loss, you're finding these sources everywhere around you. These sources of strength are in this community, this college community. You have a compassionate and resilient community here at Virginia Tech. Even as yesterday's events were still unfolding, members of this community found each other; you came together in dorm rooms and dining halls and on blogs. One recent graduate wrote this: "I don't know most of you guys, but we're all Hokies, which means we're family. To all of you who are okay, I'm happy for that. For those of you who are in pain or have lost someone close to you, I'm sure you can call on anyone of us and have help any time you need it."

And, even this:

"These sources of strength are also in the faith that sustains so many of us. Across the town of Blacksburg and in towns all across America, houses of worship from every faith have opened their doors and have lifted you up in prayer. People who have never met you are praying for you; they're praying for your friends who have fallen and who are injured. There's a power in these prayers, real power. In times like this, we can find comfort in the grace and guidance of a loving God. As the Scriptures tell us, "Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

"And on this terrible day of mourning, it's hard to imagine that a time will come when life at Virginia Tech will return to normal. But such a day will come. And when it does, you will always remember the friends and teachers who were lost yesterday, and the time you shared with them, and the lives they hoped to lead. May God bless you. May God bless and keep the souls of the lost. And may His love touch all those who suffer and grieve."

The comments and trip were entirely appropriate. Not one mention of politics or party or issues which divide this Nation. The condolences of a nation. The sadness of today and the hope of tomorrow. It was good the President went to Blacksburg.

And we can expect the same kind of followup from our President on the Gun Culture of Violence as we saw with his followup on Katrina. But at least he hasn't declared war on South Korea, so there's that.

Presidents go to express the sympathy and caring of the Nation

When was the last time the President attended a memorial service for those KIA in Iraq?

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"If people think nature is their friend, then they sure don't need an enemy." K. Vonnegut, 1922-2007

Over three thousand American men and women have been killed in Iraq because of the orders by George Bush, he never goes to any military funeral but shows up at Virginia Tech, go figure.

I assume that he could not make his 'moving' statement from Washington, and that his presence did not, as the blog notes it probably did, in any way intrude on the private grief of those who actually knew the victims.

There was an interesting piece on Olbermann tonight, regarding the fact that we lost 32 young people by violence over the last 10 days in Iraq. Yet, there was no 'moving' message for their friends and families. I don't think Bush even acknowledges that people die in Iraq any longer. Perhaps if he were to offer up one of the twins, perhaps as a nurse, or how about as a base librarian at one of our bases in Iraq?

Please don't tell me that he has to serve the purpose of the national tear duct. Clinton was good at it, probably because he actually felt some empathy with the victims. Bush comes across as robotic, adopting the appropriate masks for the occasion. But his words don't convey anything except opportunism.

Below is the URL of the original blog at philly.com
(link...)

Maybe my memory is getting bad, but I don't recall Bush rushing down to New Orleans the day after Katrina struck.

Anyway, it's not a big issue to me that Bush was there. But I did get a big laugh when watching TV news earlier today and one of the "journalists" made a comment about Bush doing this to bring the nation together. Yeah, the guy whose political strategy since 1999 has been to divide the country is now going to bring us together. Funny.

Brian A.
I'd rather be cycling.

...we lost 32 young people by violence over the last 10 days in Iraq. Yet, there was no 'moving' message for their friends and families.

"But they were willing to die for"... er, uh--what again?

Maybe my memory is getting bad, but I don't recall Bush rushing down to New Orleans the day after Katrina struck.

This is what I remember most about Bush's immediate response to Katrina after the disaster became known.

Now, now, people. I'm sure he hated doing it as much as you hated seeing him do it.

Defending Duhbya on this one, even though I can't stand the sound of his voice: This is part of the President's job, for reasons I don't really understand, but still one of the duties of the office. The fact that Bill was good at it and Duhbya isn't is just one more thing that works that way.

Liberty and justice for all.

32 dead in Blacksburg = tragedy.

32 dead in Iraq = routine.

Someone please explain to me the difference. Chad?

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"If people think nature is their friend, then they sure don't need an enemy." K. Vonnegut, 1922-2007

Simple Andy

Iraq - country at war

Virginia Tech - college campus

America is supposed to be at war and have a war president. What's really going on is that America IS at war WITH the President.

Come on over, CBT. Help us get rid of this creep and all of his enablers. You know you want to do it...Don't be afraid.

Steve

Simple Andy

No, actually, that answer would be "simplistic."

I trust that you grasp the difference, and I don't have to explain it to you like I would to #9.

Are college kids worth that much more than soldiers?

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"If people think nature is their friend, then they sure don't need an enemy." K. Vonnegut, 1922-2007