U of AZ Paid $60,000+ for Obama’s ‘Together We Thrive’ Tucson Event

big government ^ | 1/24/11 | Tom Fitton

[Nachum]

Was that a memorial for the victims of the Tucson shooting tragedy or a pep rally for President Obama that was held at the University of Arizona? Many were discomforted by the constant screams and cheers at a memorial service for the victims of the shooting.

Adding to the inappropriate atmosphere were thousands of blue “Together We Thrive,” t-shirts and posters plastered all over the place, an obvious play on a popular Obama presidential campaign theme from 2008.

Perhaps it was also the fact that the whole event was “branded” in the first place: “Together We Thrive: Tucson and America.”

Perhaps it was the cheering throngs of Obama fans whooping and hollering as the President took to the stage, making the whole event seem more like a pep rally than a memorial. (And the same goes for Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, who also reportedly received a thunderous reception.)

Or, conversely, perhaps it was the smattering of boos that erupted when Governor Jan Brewer, a Republican, took to the stage to deliver her remarks — a reaction that “would have been hard to imagine, say, in the days after the Oklahoma City bombing,” the New York Times noted.

[Nachum]

The list, ping

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[klb99]

The whole event was disgusting and repugnant - but I repeat myself.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Maybe I’m missing something, but why did the University end up sponsoring and paying the expenses of this memorial service? Yes, I can see that they needed a large auditorium, and I know it happened in Tuscon, but it didn’t affect the University directly that I am aware of.

[org.whodat]

Tax payers money for a political event, someone needs to go to jail.

[FrankR]

[rockinqsranch]

Democrats are disgusting.

[Diogenesis]

org.whodat: "Tax payers money for a political event, someone needs to go to jail."

“Law and election results in New Kenya
are what we deem they are, you stupid cracker”.

[AmusedBystander]

A Washington Insider article said that the shirts were made for an upcoming immigrant amnesty event to be held later this Spring in Tucson and they just diverted them to the "memorial" as Obama aides were looking for his "Oklahoma City event" to launch his re-election campaign. This makes sense as no mom and pop Tshirt maker could provide 60,000 shirts in two days.

So look for another rally in Tucson. Gabby might even be wheeled out to rouse the rabble.

[GeronL]

I still think the White House asked for those tee shirts

[org.whodat]

LoL

[Wuli]

One unit the academic establishment honoring, rewarding and promoting their biggest supporter - Obama.

[ScottinVA]

Applause and booing at a funeral.

Along with t-shirts and political pamphlets.

What more need be said?

It achieved the intended result: a major boost in Obama's approval ratings. No matter how disgusting and reprehensible it was, the bottom line is "Mission Accomplished."

[hinckley buzzard]

Thirty odd years ago the U of A made me pay twentyfive dollars "dues" to join the Alumni Association whether I wanted to or not. If I didn't pay they would not grant me my degree. I told them if that was the case they could forget ever getting an alumni contribution from me. They didn't care. They never got another penny from me. I am so glad to say I have had nothing to do with this reprobate university since Gerald Ford was president.

[Silentgypsy]

Anyone who believes that any university bookstore affiliated w/state of AZ spent $60K out of altruism must contact me for a great deal on a bridge.