US Presidency
2011

And much of this process, of debating what might be done to prevent such tragedies in the future, is an essential ingredient in our exercise of self government. But at a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized - â€“ at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who happen to think differently than we do - â€“ it's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we're talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds. Scripture tells us that there is evil in the world, and that terrible things happen for reasons that defy human understanding. In the words of Job, When I looked for light, then came darkness. Bad things happen, and we have to guard against simple explanations in the aftermath. For the truth is none of us can know exactly what triggered this vicious attack.