TUCSON, Arizona - President Barack Obama appealed for unity at a Wednesday memorial service for those attacked in the Arizona shooting rampage and implored a divided America to honor them by becoming a better country.

Obama electrified the crowd by revealing that following his Wednesday hospital visit with Republican Gabrielle Giffords, she had opened her eyes for the first time since being shot point-blank in the head in the assassination attempt four days ago. First lady Michelle Obama held hands with Giffords' husband, Mark Kelly, as the news brought a cascade of cheers.

While some have blamed America's overheated political climate and the use of violent imagery in campaigns, Obama conceded that there is no way to know what set off Saturday's shooting rampage that left six people dead, 13 others wounded and the nation shaken. He tried instead to leave indelible memories of the people who were gunned down and to rally the country to use the moment as a reflection on America's behavior and compassion.

"I believe we can be better," Obama said to a capacity crowd at the University of Arizona basketball arena - and to countless others watching across America. "Those who died here, those who saved lives here - they help me believe. We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."

Obama said Giffords, known as "Gabby", opened her eyes a few minutes after he left her intensive care hospital room Wednesday evening at Tucson's University Medical Center, where some of her colleagues in Congress remained.

"Gabby opened her eyes, so I can tell you: She knows we are here, she knows we love her, and she knows that we are rooting for her through what is undoubtedly going to be a difficult journey," he said.

Three of Giffords' close female friends in Congress were there: House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, Republican Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

Giffords is expected to survive, although her condition and the extent of her recovery remain in doubt.

As finger-pointing emerged in Washington and beyond over whether harsh political rhetoric played a role in motivating the attack, Obama sought to calm the rhetoric.

"The forces that divide us are not as strong as those that unite us," he said.

Associated Press

(China Daily 01/14/2011 page12)