President Barack Obama speaks of “sense of loss” felt by US at Dallas memorial service for slain cops
He told the crowd it was "easier for a teenager to buy a glock than get his hands on a computer or even a book" in the US
PRESIDENT Obama joined with former President George W. Bush on Tuesday to pay his respects to the police officers who were killed in in the attacks in Dallas.
He delivered a speech which addressed the relationship between the black communities and the force, and tried to address issues which were faced by both.
Before arriving at the service, which was held at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Centre, in Dallas, he had been to visit the families of both Alton Sterling, who was shot in Baton Rouge last week, and Philando Castille, who died a few days later, after being shot when he was pulled over by a police officer in Minnesota.
He was joined at the service by his wife, Michelle, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, Vice President Joe Biden, along with ormer first lady Laura Bush and Dr. Jill Biden.
Five seats were left empty at the memorial to signify the officers who had been killed.
The President said America often “expected too little” of itself, and too much of its law enforcement.
He said: “As a society we choose to under-invest in decent schools, we allow poverty to fester, we refuse to fund drug treatment and mental health programs.
“We flood communities with so many guns that it is easier for a teenager to buy a glock than get his hands on a computer or even a book,' the president continued.
“And then we tell the police, you're the social worker, you're the parent, you're the teacher, you're the drug counsellor, we tell them to keep those neighbourhoods in check at all costs, and do so without causing any political blowback or inconvenience.
“Don't make the mistake that might disturb our own peace of mind and then we feign surprise when periodically the tensions boil over.”
President Obama referred to the Bible in his speech saying; “Scripture tells in in our suffering there is glory because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character hope.
“Sometimes the truths of these words are hard to see. Right now those words test us.”
Referring to the night itself, when the men were gunned down by sniper fire from the gun of Micah Johnson, he said the men became targets because they were allowing people to do what was their right: “For a while the protest went on without incident and despite the fact that police conduct was the subject of the protest, despite the fact that there must have been signs or slogans or chants which with they profoundly disagreed.
“These men and this department did their jobs like professionals that they were.
“Then around 9 o'clock the gunfire came. Another community torn apart. More hearts broken, more questions about what caused and what might prevent another tragedy.”
Speaking of the tragic events of the last week which have rocked the US he said: “First the shootings in Minnesota and Baton Rouge, the protests, then the targeting of police by the shooter here. An act not just of demented violence but of racial hatred.”
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He addressed how the incidents had deepened wounds in the nation but went on: “I understand how Americans are feeling, but Dallas, I'm here to say we must reject such despair. I'm here to insist that we are not as divided as we seem. And I know this because I know America.”
President Obama was joined by former President George W. Bush, at the service, who said: “The shock of this evil has not faded.”
He went on to commend the officers as the “best among us” and added the Dallas Police Force were an inspiration “for the rest of the nation.”
Dallas Police Chief David Brown chose to speak the lyrics of the Stevie Wonder hit “As” which included the lines: “We all know sometimes life's hates and troubles, Can make you wish you were born in another time and space.
“But you can bet your life times that and twice its double, That God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed.
“So make sure when you say you're in it but not of it, You're not helping to make this earth a place sometimes called Hell. Change your words into truths and then change that truth into love.
“And maybe our children's grandchildren, And their great-great grandchildren will tell, I'll be loving you.”
