A Better Man Than I

Jan 10, 2011

By Ken.

Hit & Run has a link to the video of an interview with Roxanna and John Green, parents of Christina Green, the 9-year-old slain in the Tucson shooting this weekend. Their grace and dignity is heartbreaking and deeply humbling.

In their shoes, I would be railing against guns, against mental health laws, against politicians, against God, against anyone I could blame in any way, whatever my closely held beliefs before the tragedy. But John Green is a better man. He says:

This shouldn't happen in this country, or anywhere else, but in a free society, we're going to be subject to people like this. I prefer this to the alternative.

He sees it. Bless him for it; I don't know if I could.

It is in the wake of a tragedy that we must be most vigilant against people in power using our emotions to justify restraints on liberty.

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7 Comments

6 Comments

Brooks • Jan 10, 2011 @11:20 am

Contrast this with our president's comment over the weekend that "such a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society." Whereupon the push begins to make tht society a bit less free.

Huge props to Mr. Green.
Mike De Lucia • Jan 10, 2011 @1:34 pm

I just don't know how these people keep it together enough to be interviewed. I suppose it must be shock and numbness, but I believe I'd be a gibbering sack of snot for at least a week.
SPQR • Jan 10, 2011 @3:04 pm

Hear hear.
SiouxsieL • Jan 10, 2011 @7:05 pm

This is just heartbreaking. Why did I watch that?
bw • Jan 11, 2011 @10:28 am

"He sees it. Bless him for it; I don’t know if I could."

The self-awareness demonstrated by your doubt is a strong indicator that you could.
Mannie • Jan 11, 2011 @1:30 pm

My sincerest condolences to the Green family. May God grant you consolation and peace. John, you are a man of honor and integrity. I raise my hat to you.