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Published On: Fri, Jun 17th, 2016

President Obama blames ‘hateful propaganda’ of Internet for Omar Mateen terrorist attack

President Barack Obama traveled to Orlando on Thursday to pay his respects to the victims of a deadly terrorist attack on a gay nightclub that claimed 49 lives.

“Today, once again, as has been true too many times before, I held and hugged grieving family members and friends and they asked why does this keep happening. They pleaded that we do more to stop the carnage,” Obama said Thursday. “They don’t care about the politics. Neither do I. Niether does [Vice President] Joe [Biden].

Four days ago, this community was shaken by an evil and hateful act. Today, we are reminded of what is good — that there is compassion and empathy and decency and most of all, there is love.

That’s the Orlando that we’ve seen in recent days and that is the America that we have seen. This afternoon, the vice president and I had the opportunity to meet with many of the families here. As you might imagine, their grief is beyond description. Through their pain and through their tears, they told us about the joy that their loved ones had brought to their lives. They talked about their sons or their daughters, so many young people in their 20s and 30s; so many students who were focused on the future.

One young woman was just 18 years old. Another said — her father — was a happy girl with so many dreams.

There were siblings there talking about their brothers and their sisters, and how they were role models that they looked up to. There were husbands and wives who had taken a solemn vow, fathers and mothers who gave their full heart to their children.

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden place bouquets of flowers at a memorial for the victims of the terrorist attack at the Pulse nightclub, at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Fla., June 16, 2016. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden place bouquets of flowers at a memorial for the victims of the terrorist attack at the Pulse nightclub, at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Fla., June 16, 2016. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

These families could be our families. In fact, they are our family. They’re part of the American family. And today, the vice president and I told them on behalf of the American people that our hearts are broken, too, and that we stand with you, and that we are here for you, and that we are remembering those who you loved so deeply.

As a nation, we’ve also been inspired by the courage of those who risked their lives and cared for others; partners whose last moments were spent shielding each other; the mother who gave her life to save her son; the former Marine whose quick thinking saved dozens of lives.

Joe and I had the chance to thank Mayor Dyer, Chief Mina, Sheriff Demings, all of — responded in heroic ways; the outstanding police and first responders who were able to, through their professionalism and quick response, rescue so many people.

We also owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all the doctors and all the nurses who have worked day and night to treat the injured, save lives, and prevent even more anguish. As one of the doctors here said, “After the worst of humanity reared its ugly head, the best of humanity came roaring back.”

Let me give that quote more precisely: “After the worst of humanity reared its evil head, the best of humanity came roaring back.”

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About the Author

- Roxanne "Butter" Bracco began with the Dispatch as Pittsburgh Correspondent, but will be providing reports and insights from Washington DC, Maryland and the surrounding region. Contact Roxie aka "Butter" at theglobaldispatch@gmail ATTN: Roxie or Butter Bracco

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