UPDATE – Statement by the White House Press Secretary:
On Sunday, December 6th at 8:00PM EST, President Obama will address the nation from the Oval Office about the steps our government is taking to fulfill his highest priority: keeping the American people safe. The President will provide an update on the ongoing investigation into the tragic attack in San Bernardino. The President will also discuss the broader threat of terrorism, including the nature of the threat, how it has evolved, and how we will defeat it.
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The President’s Weekly Address post is also an Open News Thread. Feel free to share other news stories in the comments.
From the White House – Weekly Address
In this week’s address, the President offered his condolences to the families and community of the victims of the San Bernardino shooting. He recognized the possibility that the two attackers may have been radicalized, a reminder to all of us that we need to work together to prevent people from falling victim to attempts by extremist organizations to encourage violence. The President called on Congress to close the loophole that allows people on the No-Fly list to purchase guns, a simple and logical step that would make it harder for potential terrorists to acquire weapons. And he reminded us that we cannot accept mass shootings like this one as routine in our country, and emphasized that above all else, his priority is the safety and security of the American people.
Transcript: WEEKLY ADDRESS: We Will Not Be Terrorized
Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address, The White House, December 5, 2015Hi, everybody. This weekend, our hearts are with the people of San Bernardino—another American community shattered by unspeakable violence. We salute the first responders—the police, the SWAT teams, the EMTs—who responded so quickly, with such courage, and saved lives. We pray for the injured as they fight to recover from their wounds.
Most of all, we stand with 14 families whose hearts are broken. We’re learning more about their loved ones—the men and women, the beautiful lives, that were lost. They were doing what so many of us do this time of year—enjoying the holidays. Celebrating with each other. Rejoicing in the bonds of friendship and community that bind us together, as Americans. Their deaths are an absolute tragedy, not just for San Bernardino, but for our country.
We’re also learning more about the killers. And we’re working to get a full picture of their motives—why they committed these revolting acts. It’s important to let the investigators do their job. We need to know all the facts. And at my direction, federal law enforcement is helping in every way that they can. We’re going to get to the bottom of this.
It is entirely possible that these two attackers were radicalized to commit this act of terror. And if so, it would underscore a threat we’ve been focused on for years—the danger of people succumbing to violent extremist ideologies. We know that ISIL and other terrorist groups are actively encouraging people—around the world and in our country—to commit terrible acts of violence, often times as lone wolf actors. And even as we work to prevent attacks, all of us—government, law enforcement, communities, faith leaders—need to work together to prevent people from falling victim to these hateful ideologies.
More broadly, this tragedy reminds us of our obligation to do everything in our power, together, to keep our communities safe. We know that the killers in San Bernardino used military-style assault weapons—weapons of war—to kill as many people as they could. It’s another tragic reminder that here in America it’s way too easy for dangerous people to get their hands on a gun.For example, right now, people on the No-Fly list can walk into a store and buy a gun. That is insane. If you’re too dangerous to board a plane, you’re too dangerous, by definition, to buy a gun. And so I’m calling on Congress to close this loophole, now. We may not be able to prevent every tragedy, but—at a bare minimum—we shouldn’t be making it so easy for potential terrorists or criminals to get their hands on a gun that they could use against Americans.
Today in San Bernardino, investigators are searching for answers. Across our country, our law enforcement professionals are tireless. They’re working around the clock—as always—to protect our communities. As President, my highest priority is the security and safety of the American people. This is work that should unite us all—as Americans—so that we’re doing everything in our power to defend our country. That’s how we can honor the lives we lost in San Bernardino. That’s how we can send a message to all those who would try to hurt us. We are Americans. We will uphold our values—a free and open society. We are strong. And we are resilient. And we will not be terrorized.
Bolding added.
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President Obama:
This is the NRA canard: “We can’t stop EVERY bad person from getting a gun so we should not bother trying to stop ANY bad person from getting a gun”.
We need to call bs on this ignorant argument in favor of inaction.
Jan—I read recently that the guns used to commit mass murders in other countries were obtained illegally. However, since 1996 Australia has not had a gun massacre.
Australia decided that keeping their populace safe from the menace of gun violence was more important than the rights of their citizens to arm themselves to the teeth with no restrictions.
Our situation is trickier because we have the 2nd Amendment enshrining some kind of gun rights (exactly what is up for debate) into the constitution. However, even this Supreme Court has not declared that people can own any weaponry and carry them any place: they have consistently left the door open for restrictions. Someone pointed out that we have lots of restrictions on the First Amendment and the Fourth Amendment. It is only the Second Amendment that the gun rights groups feel cannot be touched.
In the News: Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) “I’ve been angry since December of 2012”
I recommend reading the entire interview on ThinkProgress.
Sen. Murphy took a lot of flak for what people called “prayer shaming”, saying it is not enough to pray for the victims but that we need to do more. Here are two pieces that speak to that …
Charlie Pierce: A Few Words About ‘Prayer-Shaming’
Wonkette: Peggy Noonan Will Slur Through Her Prayers If She Wants To, Jerks!
There’s more but Wonkette would like your clicks! Please give them one. :)
The Transportation Bill was signed by President Obama yesterday:
President Obama asked for more:
In the News: Island Nations Disappearing …
Democracy Now: Marshall Islands Poet to the U.N. Climate Summit: “Tell Them We Are Nothing Without Our Islands”
President Obama in Multilateral Meeting with Island Nation Leaders:
Ten United States Senators went to Paris:
It is important to remind the people of the world that the Congress we have in 2015 will NOT be the Congress we have in 2017. Letters from Senators to Iran, fist shaking at the people whose islands are disappearing not withstanding, there is an America willing to be a partner in the world community.
In The News: About that “We Are Strong On Terrorism” campaign issue …
If the Republicans want to run on “scaring the crap out of Americans”, they may want to revisit if Americans are buying their solutions.
In The News: FCC vigorously defending Net Neutrality …
More from NPR.
In The News: Snippets …
Arkansas still trying to block disclosure of its killing drugs
UAW wins right to unionize VW plant in Tennessee, first in the southern United States.
Supreme Court to hear case involving Puerto Rican debt.
In The News: Anti-Abortion Extremists Trying to Hide Their Donors Dealt a Blow in the Courts …
CMP appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court and Justice Kennedy denied it:
The Grey Lady breaks a nearly hundred year old tradition:
The editorial:
(Bolding added)
My fellow gun-toting Americans are the ones who frighten me—not any refugees.
From President Obama in an interview with CBS This Morning on Friday:
I share President Obama’s hopes for his grandchildren, and so does the Lummi Nation.
Lummi Nation youth bring climate film to summit in France
In the News, more from Paris and COP21: Indigenous Leaders In Paris Issue Declaration Calling For The End Of Fossil Fuel Extraction