This is what leadership looks like

Run time: 02:59 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKMb7NeVaMQ   Posted on YouTube: November 08, 2011 By YouTube Member: JRKPreztoday Views on YouTube: 19   Posted on DU: November 15, 2011 By DU Member: tblue Views on DU: 965

 
Bill Clinton's Statement on Columbine Shooting 1999

After the unimaginable tragedy that has enveloped Penn State, the American public does not need to be told to 'do some soul searching.' Most of us already know where our souls are. But where is the president's? Is his moved? It's hard to tell.

President Obama gave us that suggestion (?) in answer to an INTERVIEW question. If he wasn't asked, would he have told us?

President Clinton immediately went on TV just to make this statement just on this one issue — the shootings at Columbine High School. (I am in no way equating the two tragedies. Both are unthinkable and they can't be compared. But each was an event that touched the whole nation.)

Here is President Clinton reaching out to us. Getting the whole country on the same page. Letting the public know the president 'gets it' and is just as outraged as we are. He also tells us that he is DOING SOMETHING — sending in resources to help those who have been hurt. We get the sense that if there was more he could do, he would do it. He wants us to feel understood.

The timely response. The heart and soul. The active engagement. This is how a leader addresses a local tragedy and helps a nation begin to heal.

It matters, this bit of conspicuous leadership providing this kind of connection to the people. It can make all the difference. You can get by but you cannot be a great leader without it.

ain't that the truth?

thanks for the reminder and the parallel... like it would be nice to hear something like this after Scott Olsen went into the Hospital, huh?