Obama Orders Flags Lowered to Half-Staff After Orlando Terror Attack
Source: Los Angeles Times JUNE 12, 2016, 5:41 P.M. PST
President Barack Obama has ordered the lowering of the flag of the United States of America to half-staff as a mark of respect for the victims in a gay nightclub shooting in Orlando.
The flags are to be lowered June 12 and expected to stay at half-staff until sunset, on June 16. The mass shooting at the gay nightclub left 50 dead and at least 53 injured, according to Orlando police. The shooting is considered the deadliest attack on US Soil since 9/11.
Read the Presidents full proclamation below: As a mark of respect for the victims of the act of hatred and terror perpetrated on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Orlando, Florida, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, June 16, 2016. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
Read more: http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-orlando-nightclub-shooting-live-obama-orders-flags-lowered-to-half-mast-1465754998-htmlstory.html
Response to big_dog (Original post)
Gene Debs This message was self-deleted by its author.
William769
(55,124 posts)Gene Debs
(582 posts)takes to lower a flag and extend my "thoughts and prayers" and then go right back to business as usual.
sheshe2
(83,319 posts)Sweet angels, we lost so many today. I cried all day.
I felt loss for all these shootings. Newtown and Orlando hit me the hardest.
still_one
(91,937 posts)what happened.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)This is a gesture of respect, and of recognition of the horrific grief of everyone who is touched by this.
You are right- it doesn't solve anything- but what would at this point?? These people are dead, and all we can do is grieve.
Gene Debs
(582 posts)where real leadership would be welcome, but we get "gestures of respect."
Maybe in the coming days he'll do something substantive, but I'm not gonna hold my breath.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)The killer is dead. The victims are dead or injured. The families, and the rest of us, are mourning. Absent access to a time machine, what's done is done.
Should we be bombing someone in retaliation?? Arresting his family and friends? Rounding up "foreigners" to send them to camps?
There are questions to be answered, and much work to be done to prevent something else like this from happening. But people need to grieve, and families deserve to know that we recognize their loss.
still_one
(91,937 posts)Gene Debs
(582 posts)legislation, right? And pressure other legislators? And that's just the tip of the iceberg. There's a lot he can do.
Now, granted, I realize that the blood has only just been hosed away, so there's not likely anything he's put together yet. But he could have something within a few days, if he were of a mind to actually be a real leader. But frankly I have zero confidence that that's gonna happen. He gives up every fight before it even starts. The only time I've ever seen him aggressively leap into action is when Wall Street whistles. So there'll be another speech, and then it'll be business as usual until the next horrific gun massacre.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)He has done what he can do today.
Frankly, proposing legislation would fall into the same category as "thoughts and prayers" & flags at half mast- a respectful gesture. Any meaningful gun regulation has zero chance of getting through this congress. We can't even get a replacement for Scalia.
The urge to DO SOMETHING is a part of the reaction to any senseless tragedy. It's figuring out what to do and how to do it that is the hard part.
If you have a suggestion for some action that he can take that would reap immediate results, I'm listening.
Response to Gene Debs (Reply #13)
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Response to Post removed (Reply #15)
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titaniumsalute
(4,742 posts)But your colors came through strong on your post. You want a leader like Trump who will make the Middle East "pay" for their crimes. Go ahead, just say it. You were called out and the best you have is "Go fuck yourself?" Go back to Breitbart or Freeperville. Please.
titaniumsalute
(4,742 posts)What would you have the President do?? Crickets. Waiting...
sheshe2
(83,319 posts)He is not King, he is The President of These United States. He has a gawd dayum GOP Congress that says no to everything. What do you want him to do?????
Do you have any clue how the Government works?
Duckhunter935
(16,974 posts)Mail Message
On Sun Jun 12, 2016, 10:55 PM an alert was sent on the following post:
Lowering a flag is easy, isn't it? Why not say a prayer and put on a ribbon while you're at it? Then
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1486588
REASON FOR ALERT
This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.
ALERTER'S COMMENTS
Very disrespectful and rude.
You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Sun Jun 12, 2016, 10:58 PM, and the Jury voted 1-6 to LEAVE IT.
Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: yes but not over the top, you should rebut it
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Perhaps a tad insensitive, but the point is that sentimental gestures are easy, while changing gun laws to prevent tragedies like this is hard. Leave.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I don't see this as hideable.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: It's pointing out the need for action over symbolism. The alerter takes a point too personally when I read it to be a general position. Get him to explain. Don't assume you know the intent before taking insult that might not be intended. Challenge his meaning. Don't censor.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Asinine comments are allowed.
IronLionZion
(45,254 posts)For the president to tell people to stop killing people?