Mass Shooting at LGBT Nightclub in Orlando

[JJH]

CNN- reports that KABC states that suspect with arsenal arrested at LA Pride.

Broadcast live from Pride. Not cancelled. Very moving.

 

[TOADS]

Reuters reported he shouted Ali Akbar when he opened fire.....

 

[Frau Muller]

Now another heavily-armed man has been arrested on his way to do carnage at the L.A. Gay Pride parade. Mayor about to talk.

Also, CNN reports that Uzbekistani ex-wife of Orlando shooter has talked to Wash Post about his abuse.

Obama's 1:30pm speech delayed to ????pm.

 

[nlloyd]

Is it really that crucial to rush to classify this as a hate crime/domestic terrorism/Islamic terrorism/whatever within 8 hours of the attack?

This is devastating and i have no idea what the answers are.

I would agree that religion, domestic terrorism, and Islamic terrorism are factors that still have to be proven. However, I think there is enough evidence to describe this as a hate crime at this point. The shooter went to a club that catered to the gay community and did so at 2 a.m. in the morning. For me, that evidences a clear focus and intentionality. He did not choose just any place that individuals congregate, like a movie house, for example. In addition to this, his father has noted he had issues around gay men kissing.

I would go a step further than "hate crime," however, and say that this was an act of terrorism against the LGBTQ community i.e. it had as its intention the use of violence to inspire fear within the community and thus, in the minds of the perpetrator, to bring that community into conformity with a particular agenda. I would argue that the scale of violence indicates an intention to intimidate the gay community to desist from coming out, kissing in public, attending gay nightclubs etc. I am certain it will have the opposite effect.

 

[allezfred]

Ridiculous....

Your job is to report the news with ALL the facts, not editorialize and massage the facts.

How is it "massaging the facts" to say it was an LGBT nightclub?

 

[skatesindreams]

That the assailant deliberately went to a club known to be frequented by the LBGTQ community, speaks volumes.
He may well have had additional motives, also.

One doesn't preclude the other.

 

[VGThuy]

How is it "massaging the facts" to say it was an LGBT nightclub?

I may have misread the post, but I thought FGRSK8 was criticizing the CBC for taking out references to the LGBTQ community and accused CBC of massaging facts.

 

[Lacey]

50 dead, I think 53 reported wounded, some critically, it's already the deadliest mass shooting in US, and I am worried that there are going to be more deaths.

 

[Allskate]

How is it "massaging the facts" to say it was an LGBT nightclub?

It isn't. And it also isn't massaging the facts to report what the shooter's father has said. Or what the police are uncovering in terms of actual facts. It does, however, take some time to uncover all the relevant facts. Authorities, whether it's the mayor, the governor, or the president, need to take the time to determine what really happened before expressing an opinion.

Pete Williams on MSNBC is pretty good about just saying what the facts are and giving context.

 

[Loves_Shizuka]

I may have misread the post, but I thought FGRSK8 was criticizing the CBC for taking out references to the LGBTQ community and accused CBC of massaging facts.

How I read it as well.

 

[AYS]

I may have misread the post, but I thought FGRSK8 was criticizing the CBC for taking out references to the LGBTQ community and accused CBC of massaging facts.

This is how I read it as well.

 

[olympic]

BREAKING - L.A. Times is reporting a man was stopped transporting weapons and explosives to L.A.'s gay pride event just now!

 

[skatesindreams]

Our local ABC affiliate in Central FL has offered very good, balanced coverage of this tragedy, thus far.

 

[Allskate]

BREAKING - L.A. Times is reporting a man was stopped transporting weapons and explosives to L.A.'s gay pride event just now!

Everybody planning to go to Pride events must be so scared. This is why last night's shooting in Florida was an act of terror, regardless of any connection with a terrorist group.

 

[Cachoo]

It feels like hate--the kind of hate that fueled the Charleston killings. I almost believe the hate for a group of people comes first and then these killers find groups that support their bigotry. And for lone wolves ISIS hates almost everything and everyone; a partnership made in hell.

 

[Simone411]

I've been watching NBC News. Pretty good coverage so far. It's also online at NBC News. President Obama is about to speak:

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/or...gency-services-respond-reports-gunman-n590446

 

[Matryeshka]

Thoughts and prayers while nice if that's your thing are nice but what's needed now is action. While I get the "guns don't kill people do" guns certainly make it easier. Could death occurred with a hunting rifle or a knife? Of course, but not to this degree. There is NO REASON for anyone to have access to military weaponry unless you are in the military on active duty.

Obama up

 

[TOADS]

How is it "massaging the facts" to say it was an LGBT nightclub?

By taking out the fact that it was a LGBT nightclub. Reread original post I responded to....

 

[AYS]

President Obama emphasizing the fact that this was an attack on the LGBT community.

And emphasizing how easy it is for people to get their hands on guns.

 

[Loves_Shizuka]

President Obama emphasizing the fact that this was an attack on the LGBT community.

And specifically calls it an act of terror and hate.

 

[skatesindreams]

President Obama emphasizing the fact that this was an attack on the LGBT community.

Thank you, President Obama, for all that you have said.

 

[Simone411]

I add my thanks to yours @skatesindreams

 

[caseyedwards]

Magnificent speech. Didn't mention Islam at all.

 

[twinsissv]

Very nice. You are speaking for NRA? Security guards typically don't carry mass shooting weapons and enough ammunition to kill 50 people and 53 injured. Most of gun control is directed toward possession of military type weapons. If a mere security guard buys those weapons, it should be a red flag, no matter what he does for a living, unless he is a soldier or a police officer.

So...because he was a security guard, he had clearance to use a firearm...but...an assault rifle? WHAT? REALLY? OMG!

 

[olympic]

NBC News reporting that Omar Saddique Mateen was visiting Miami w/ his family and witnessed 2 men kissing at the time. His father noted it led to his outrage and obsession about it.

 

[ChelleC]

Magnificent speech. Didn't mention Islam at all.

And predictably the first post I see on my facebook feed now is one saying, "Obama has lost it. Doesn't mention Islamic terrorism in the speech."

Ugh, I've just about had it with stupid people.

I don't want to give one moment of airtime to the shooter's supposed Islamic terrorism, because that is what ISIS and their ilk want. They want the publicity, especially if they are behind it.

No, focus on the people killed and that this was a LGBT hate crime.

 

[JJH]

Flag half staff at White House, military facilities, embassies world wide.

 

[Allskate]

So...because he was a security guard, he had clearance to use a firearm...but...an assault rifle? WHAT? REALLY? OMG!

No. In the U.S. you do not need to be a security guard to get an assault rifle. Bill Clinton signed an assault weapons ban into law, but it expired over ten years ago and Obama has not been able to get it reenacted. Background checks for firearms are not even required if you buy your gun at gun shows. And there is not much regulation on high capacity magazines either.

 

[AxelAnnie]

WTF. How does one person create such carnage?

June is Pride month across the US. There will be a lot of scrambling to increase security at events.


This is too awful

ETA: glad to see that a college friend of mine who lives in Orlando has posted - he was not at Pulse last night.

I may have misread the post, but I thought FGRSK8 was criticizing the CBC for taking out references to the LGBTQ community and accused CBC of massaging facts.

We are positively psycho. the zhootng WAS at an LGBT bar. The guy is Islamic and a terrorist. we would not want to say Islamic Terrorism.

Like calling the Fort Hood workplace violence. Thereiis a war going on and we better when up and pay attention .

 

[Really]

Hate is hate, regardless of the religion that inspires it.

My heart goes out to all the victims and their friends and families.