Borowitz writes: "After Mr. Obama made his controversial stopping-tragedies remark, prominent pro-tragedy members of Congress looked on in stony silence, refusing to applaud."



President Barack Obama. (photo: unknown)

Obama's Call to End Tragedies Angers Pro-Tragedy Wing in Congress

By Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker

resident Obama's call during his State of the Union address to "stop more tragedies from visiting innocent Americans" received a frosty response from the pro-tragedy wing in Congress last night.

After Mr. Obama made his controversial stopping-tragedies remark, prominent pro-tragedy members of Congress looked on in stony silence, refusing to applaud.

"I thought it was offensive and inappropriate," said Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana). "If the President wants coöperation from Congress, he should refrain from his divisive and inflammatory anti-tragedy rhetoric."

The pro-tragedy lobby is among the most powerful in Washington, spending millions annually to defeat politicians who oppose tragedies.

Another congressman with a strong pro-tragedy voting record, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina), also blasted the President's remark, accusing Mr. Obama of conducting a "war on tragedy."

"If the President really thinks he is going to prevent more tragedies, he should be prepared for a fight," Rep. Wilson said. "The American people's right to tragedies is protected by the United States Constitution."