Alright, I'll play, HP...

But HP, it was not an episode or an affair of "politics as usual" - it was a national tragedy.

The President is not supposed to "pacify" the lunatic fringe: he is to hold the center: gubernare.

He did a good job this time, by which I only mean that he said the right things and sounded like he meant them.

Am I wrong, or do you want the pound of flesh on this one?

I hope not: the role of Shylock does not suit you, and I will not play Portia to the President's Antonio (and who would be Bassanio in this analogy, anyway?).