YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — President Barack Obama asked parents Saturday to teach their children to love, not hate, and to appreciate differences as something to cherish, not fear.
In his weekly radio and internet address, Obama said he’s thought a lot about parents who’ve had to explain the shooting deaths of 49 people at an Orlando, Florida, nightclub to their kids.
He lamented that moments of silence observed after deadly mass shootings have given way to months of “inexcusable” silence and inaction. He called on parents who want their children to reach adulthood in a safer, more loving world to speak up for it — and to speak out about the dangers guns present.
“They need to hear us say these things even when those who disagree are loud and are powerful,” Obama said in the pre-Father’s Day address. “We need our kids to hear from us why tolerance and equality matter, about the times their absence has scarred our history and how greater understanding will better the future they will inherit.”
The president, who has two teenage daughters, said being a parent teaches that some things can’t be controlled.
“But as parents, we should remember there’s one responsibility that’s always in our power to fulfill: our obligation to give our children unconditional love and support, to show them the difference between right and wrong, to teach them to love, not to hate, and to appreciate our differences not as something to fear, but as a great gift to cherish,” Obama said.
“To me, fatherhood means being there. So in the days ahead, let’s be there for each other,” he added. “Let’s be there for our families, and for those that are hurting. Let’s come together in our communities and as a country. And let’s never forget how much good we can achieve simply by loving one another.”
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Seems like a reasonably good place to start. But then not every american parent is a functional adult like the Obamas are.
Teaching tolerance? Yea, that should work. Thanks Mr. President. Meanwhile, Republicans blame the mentally ill and Dems hope the whole thing just goes away - quickly - while emoting ‘background checks, background checks!’
Meanwhile … anybody wanna take on the gun manufacturers? Yea, didn’t think so.
Thank you, President Obama. So many in our nation–and the world at-large–need to hear these words. So many well-meaning parents, family members, houses of worship and educators do not seem to stress this enough. Hopefully, this horrible event will spur many of those very folks to use it as a “teaching moment.” Also, hopefully this will give many of those others–including those houses of worship who are either complicit in or actually teach intolerance–something upon which to reflect, to realize the cause and effect. One can hope. And one can speak up. Thank you.
It’s an obvious trick to cover the tracks of his supports for Islamic terrorists over Americans. Nice try Mr President but we are on to you! You are only trying to make us think you are a Christian with your lies of tolerance and love…
Darcy, that has been tried in the past. At this moment in time, there is no way in Hell something like that would even get a committee hearing in either house of Congress. There are just too many feckless water-carriers and others who are just fucking scared of the NRA and their deep pockets. Sad, but true. We must work around the edges right now. That said, I agree with you – the gun manufacturers need to be held accountable for their marketing practices and their reluctance to integrate safety measures in their products. They have lots of blood on their hands and in those deep pockets – as do so many in Congress, on both sides of the aisle (though the Republicans are swimming in blood).