[BostonCard]

I do have to react to this with some exasperation, and I hope not too politically. I'm a committed, in the Lincolnian/Bryan meaning of the word, a firm believer in the American people.

Solidarity of the type displayed is ALWAYS the reaction of the American people. (You might remember the Cajun navy during the 2017 floods, and so many other collective responses to emergencies.) The only ones who are surprised are ideologues whose agendas blind them to the actual cultural reality of this society.

You are of course correct, and generally tragedies like this bring out the best, not the worst, of us (this has been shown empirically, though finidng the article at this point would be challenging for me).  That being said, under the circumstances it is not to difficult to envision the mind going to a dark place.  I think most people consistently underestimate other's response in the face of a tragedy.

That being said, your point is well taken.  We should have higher expectations of one another, as time and again, we rise to them.

BC

[BostonCard]

I do have to react to this with some exasperation, and I hope not too politically. I'm a committed, in the Lincolnian/Bryan meaning of the word, a firm believer in the American people.

Solidarity of the type displayed is ALWAYS the reaction of the American people. (You might remember the Cajun navy during the 2017 floods, and so many other collective responses to emergencies.) The only ones who are surprised are ideologues whose agendas blind them to the actual cultural reality of this society.

You are of course correct, and generally tragedies like this bring out the best, not the worst, of us (this has been shown empirically, though finidng the article at this point would be challenging for me).  That being said, under the circumstances it is not to difficult to envision the mind going to a dark place.  I think most people consistently underestimate other's response in the face of a tragedy.

That being said, your point is well taken.  We should have higher expectations of one another, as time and again, we rise to them.

BC