"Trying to make sense of"

[Bill Palmer]

Can anyone explain what this phrase means, as used in such diverse situations as:

"Politicians are still trying to make sense of Tuesday's primaries" (NPR this morning)

"The Army is trying to make sense of the Fort Hood murders"
(Various medaiareports)

"Ashton Kutcher is still trying to make sense of Brittany Murphy's death"  (mtv.com)

Preponderantly used for unhappy events, but not always.


Bill P

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