Obama Urges No Jump to Conclusions
WASHINGTON President Obama, extending condolences to the community at Fort Hood, Tex., reminded Americans on Saturday that people of every race, faith and station serve in the military an oblique attempt to prevent a backlash against Muslims in the wake of Thursdays shootings at the base that left 13 dead.
Many Muslims have been concerned that their faith will somehow be blamed after an Army psychiatrist, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who prayed regularly at the Fort Hood mosque, was accused of being the lone gunman in the attack. Mr. Obama did not address that concern directly. But, speaking in his weekly address, he seemed to urge Americans not to dwell on the suspects religion by reminding the nation of the broad diversity of those who serve.
They are Americans of every race, faith and station, he said. They are Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and nonbelievers. They are descendants of immigrants, and immigrants themselves. They reflect the diversity that makes this America. But what they share is a patriotism like no other. What they share is a commitment to country that has been tested and proved worthy. What they share is the same unflinching courage, unblinking compassion and uncommon camaraderie that the soldiers and civilians of Fort Hood showed America and showed the world.
In a Rose Garden appearance on Friday, Mr. Obama urged Americans not to jump to conclusions about the motives behind the shooting, a theme he echoed on Saturday.
We cannot fully know what leads a man to do such a thing, he said in the Saturday address. But what we do know is our thoughts are with every single one of the men and women who were injured at Fort Hood. Our thoughts are with all the families whove lost a loved one in this national tragedy.
Reference:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/us/politics/08address.html?hp