Susan Walsh / AP
President Barack Obama pauses during a moment of silence for the victims of the Aurora, Colo., shooting during an event at the Harborside Event Center in Ft. Myers, Fla., Friday, July 20, 2012.
President Obama spoke this morning about the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado, and Mitt Romney also discussed the tragedy.
The president remarked from the Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers, Florida at roughly 10:45 this morning:
Here are the president's remarks:
By now, many of you know, many of you have heard that a few miles outside of Denver in a town call Aurora, at least 12 people were killed when a gunman opened fire in a movie theater, and dozens more are being treated for injuries at a local hospital. Some of the victims are being treated at a children’s hospital.
We’re still gathering all the facts about what happened in Aurora, but what we do know is that the police have one suspect in custody. And the federal government stands ready to do whatever is necessary to bring whoever is responsible for this heinous crime to justice. (Applause.) And we will take every step possible to ensure the safety of all of our people.
We're going to stand by our neighbors in Colorado during this extraordinarily difficult time. And I had a chance to speak with the Mayor of Aurora as well as the Governor of Colorado to express, not just on behalf of Michelle and myself, but the entire American family, how heartbroken we are.
Now, even as we learn how this happened and who's responsible, we may never understand what leads anybody to terrorize their fellow human beings like this. Such violence, such evil is senseless. It's beyond reason. But while we will never know fully what causes somebody to take the life of another, we do know what makes life worth living. The people we lost in Aurora loved and they were loved. They were mothers and fathers; they were husbands and wives; sisters and brothers; sons and daughters, friends and neighbors. They had hopes for the future and they had dreams that were not yet fulfilled.
And if there’s anything to take away from this tragedy it’s the reminder that life is very fragile. Our time here is limited and it is precious. And what matters at the end of the day is not the small things, it’s not the trivial things, which so often consume us and our daily lives. Ultimately, it’s how we choose to treat one another and how we love one another. (Applause.)
It’s what we do on a daily basis to give our lives meaning and to give our lives purpose. That’s what matters. At the end of the day, what we’ll remember will be those we loved and what we did for others. That’s why we’re here.
I’m sure that many of you who are parents here had the same reaction that I did when I heard this news. My daughters go to the movies. What if Malia and Sasha had been at the theater, as so many of our kids do every day? Michelle and I will be fortunate enough to hug our girls a little tighter tonight, and I’m sure you will do the same with your children. But for those parents who may not be so lucky, we have to embrace them and let them know we will be there for them as a nation.
So, again, I am so grateful that all of you are here. I am so moved by your support. But there are going to be other days for politics. This, I think, is a day for prayer and reflection.
So what I’d ask everybody to do, I’d like us to pause in a moment of silence for the victims of this terrible tragedy, for the people who knew them and loved them, for those who are still struggling to recover, and for all the victims of less publicized acts of violence that plague our communities every single day. So if everybody can just take a moment.
(Moment of silence.)
Thank you, everybody. I hope all of you will keep the people of Aurora in your hearts and minds today. May the Lord bring them comfort and healing in hard days to come.
I am grateful to all of you, and I hope that as a consequence of today’s events, as you leave here, you spend a little time thinking about the incredible blessings that God has given us...Thank you very much, everybody. God bless you. God bless the United States of America.
Leave a Comment:
I'm sick and tired to watch the American political arena dominated by (Ignorant) commentators with a political agenda. Where are the real journalist ? Mister Scarborough, lift up your pants and stop bending over your master who give you money to perpetuate a MYTH (the American dream). Please stop to tell lies and stupiditys that I can smell from Canada. The air is well enoughs polluted with insanity, please stop.
To begin with, I’d like to say that the shooting is a terrible tragedy, and is becoming far too frequent, not only in the States, but around the world. That said, it seems as if no one, not the politicians, law enforcement, or your guest, have any viable ideas as to how to approach the problem, and maybe there is no solution.
It’s obvious that guns aren’t going away. I’m a licensed, gun owner, and definitely don’t want to give up my weapon because of a few mentally disturbed individuals who would find a way to carry out their nefarious schemes even if an absolute ban on owning a weapon was imposed on everyone. Quite the contrary, it’s because of the ability of anyone to obtain weapons, that I feel I need my weapon in the fist place. Those who want a gun, will find a way to get one, the same as those who want drugs will find a way to get what they want, although, drugs are, and it appears, shall remain, illegal for the foreseeable future.
Banning guns, no matter the type, will only take the, constitutionally protected, right to own, out of the hands of the law abiding citizens, who will honor the ban, but will do nothing to stop the bad people from getting their hands on any weapon they wish.
Although, it may sound simplistic in it’s reasoning, it may make more sense to train, and arm everyone, who is not a felon, and who wishes to carry, while allowing the carry of those weapons in a wider range of locations. I can’t help but think that if there were a couple of, trained, and legally armed, citizens in that theater, not so many innocent victims would have lost their lives.
The events in Colorado reflect the dysfunctionality of white families in the suburbs. That is perhaps why serial killers are overwhelmingly white. The white leadership must address this white on white crime that reflects a pathology in the community. I suggest they have assume personal responsibility similar to the statements that have been made about black on black crimes in Chicago. The white family is imploding with these acts of violence and growing illegitimacy rates.