The Tucson reaction

[Safetykitten]

Seeing all the shit by Eastcoastcentric assclowns both on the right and the left about the crowd behavior was an example in not having a fucking clue.

Living in Tucson myself to go to school, I learned that like most other people from Phoenix, is that Tucson is an aquired taste. After a bit, I became very fond of the city and it's surroundings. It is not Phoenix, and it is not like the rest of Arizona. They are wildly proud of their city and the fact that they are not Phoenix and all that it implies culturally and most important, politically.

The people at the event acted perfectly. They had their President that came to help them though a horrific nightmare. They responded out of love and respect for the President, and joy, yes joy that he was there for them. It was a fine mixture. Joy and sadness. Hope and love. Respect and loss.

They miss that, the pundits and halfwits do. They miss the nuances of a city like Tucson.

[gateley]

1. I thought it was the perfect gathering. I hope it was healing for those who

lost loved ones and the residents of Tucson. Fuck what anybody else says (including me).

[boppers]

2. 1. F*ck Phoenix. They took paradise and turned it into a strip mall.(with parking lot)

2. Glad to see you've gotten a handle on figuring Tucson out.

Perfect example:
Other cities have Hell Night, or a generic commercial Halloween, Tucson has (and you *must* go if you haven't) A Dia De Los Muertos, a celebration of life, and death, of triumph, and tragedy. It was started by semi-homeless street punks (somewhat based on Mexican traditions), and became a weird, beautiful, mix of what *makes* Tucson: the regional influences, the imports and immigrants, the joyous and tearful, the passing of trying times. Mix Mardi Gras, and a funeral, and kids with nothing to lose playing with pyrotechnics, and there ya go.

This is how we grieve, and party, at the same time:
http://www.examiner.com/day-trips-in-phoenix/dia-de-los-muertos-tucson-the-wild-and-wonderful-all-souls-procession-video

A bit of a side note for those lacking in Tucson culture: For many, many, years, we were a "dry climate" where many of the sick from around the country came to recuperate, or die. We were also a place for people facing certain death to hide. We continue to be a place for retirees to come to, in order to die. We're not new to grief, guns, loss, violence, or rebuilding from ashes.

I moved to Portland to leave the heat (it's hot, if you haven't lived through 114 degreees in the shade, it doesn't count as a "heat wave" down there), but I like to think the culture, and ethos, came with me.

P.S.: Checked out the Surly Wench yet? It's on 4th, IIRC.

[CanonRay]

3. I used to live in Phoenix and spent a lot of time in Tucson

and I definitely much prefer Tucson. In fact, I'm still considering moving there.

[polmaven]

4. The crowd did indeed act appropriately

to what was planned as a CELEBRATION of the lives of those killed and wounded that horrible day. It was the media who have renamed it a memorial service, yet, IMO, even a memorial "celebrates" the lives of those involved.

[ChazII]

5. Speaking as a resident of Phoenix . . .

I say Tucson did nothing to be ashamed of at the memorial service. The city did what is had to do to help heal itself and those who can't appreciate Tucson's culture can take a hike.(I am also a Sun Devil.)

ETA: Hit the wrong button. Agreeing with above poster and OP.

[Phx_Dem]

6. As another resident of Phoenix and native of Tucson, I agree!