Obama Arizona Memorial Speech: We Must Communicate 'In A Way That Heals,' Not 'Wounds' video

TUCSON, Ariz. — Summoning the soul of a nation, President Barack Obama on Wednesday implored Americans to honor those slain and injured in the Arizona shootings by becoming better people, telling a polarized citizenry that it is time to talk with each other "in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds." Following a hospital bedside visit with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the target of the assassination, he said: "She knows we're here, and she knows we love her."


After offering personal accounts of every person who died, he challenged anyone listening to think of how to honor their memories, and he was not shy about offering direction. He admonished against any instinct to point blame or to drift into political pettiness or to latch onto simple explanations that may have no merit.

The president said it was OK, even essential, for the country to suddenly be debating gun control, mental health services and the motivations of the killer.

Sarah Palin E-Mail To Glenn Beck About ARIZONA Shooting

Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin emailed each other about the shooting in Arizona, and Beck read some of their exchange on his Monday radio show. Beck told Palin he feared for her safety, and he condemned the shooting, which led to the deaths of six people and the wounding of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Palin, in particular, has drawn criticism for the map she put up that placed Giffords' congressional district, among others, within crosshairs.Beck said that Palin had gotten in touch with him first on Sunday night. He read what he had sent to her in reply.

Though there are no known ties whatsoever between shooting suspect Jared Lee Loughner and Sarah Palin or any part of the Tea Party movement, the "crosshairs" became part of the media coverage of the Tucson shootings from the very beginning.

Sarah Palin is facing some intense pressurefollowing the tragedy in Arizona. To a lesser extent, so is Glenn Beck and so, over the weekend, he sent her an email to see how she was doing as well as urge her to seek protection for her family.