Obama Not Praticing What He's Preached on Civility

 

IBDEditorials.com

Leadership: Remember when President Obama was showered with kudos for his 2011 speech calling for "more civility in our public discourse"? He sure isn't practicing today what he preached then.

Some pundits couldn't contain their praise when a "healing" Barack Obama appeared at the Tucson memorial service after a mentally-ill shooter maimed Rep. Gabby Giffords and killed a federal judge and five others 2-1/2 years ago.

Historian Michael Beschloss said Obama was trying to "make this a better country." CBS News history commentator Douglas Brinkley surmised "this guy might be a great man" and conservative-turned-liberal author Garry Wills compared Obama's words to both the Gettysburg Address and Shakespeare's Henry V Agincourt speech.

If "their death helps usher in more civility in our public discourse," the president said, it is "because only a more civil and honest public discourse can help us face up to the challenges of our nation in a way that would make them proud."

That line was met with a 30-second standing ovation. But, as a sample of his recent words used to attack Republicans proves, he hasn't followed his own advice:

• "Putting a gun to the American people's head."

• "One party in Congress might blow the whole thing up if they don't get their way."

• "Extortion."

• "Demand ransom."

• "Burn down your house."

• "Hold people hostage or engage in ransom-taking to get a hundred percent of your way."

• "Reckless Republican shutdown."

• "Little kids ... have been sent home from the safe places where they learn and grow every single day."

• "Making it more difficult for us to respond to potential natural disasters" (during a visit to the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday).

• "Say to your boss ... unless I get a raise right now and more vacation pay ... I'm going to break the equipment."

• "Burn down the plant or your office if you don't get your way."

On CNN last week, moreover, senior Obama aide Dan Pfeiffer called Republicans "people with a bomb strapped to their chest." Yet at the Tuesday press conference, Obama actually quipped that "what the American people, I think, expect is just civility."

Maybe it should start with you, Mr. President.