Posted on 11/05/2009 3:37:59 PM PST by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2009 – President Barack Obama condemned the fatal shooting rampage today on Fort Hood, Texas, that left 12 soldiers dead and another 31 wounded, and promised full-scale support to get to the bottom of what happened and help the Fort Hood community recover from the tragedy.
More than one gunmen – two being held as suspects and another believed to be among those killed -- fired shots at about 1:30 p.m. Central Time at the post’s Soldier Readiness Processing Center and Howze Theater, Fort Hood officials confirmed.
The incident reportedly occurred as soldiers were conducting their final preparations for deployment.
“These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk, and at times, give their lives to protect the rest of us on a daily basis,” the president said.
“It's difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas,” he said. “It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil.”
Obama said he is in close coordination with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen in monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, the White House is working with the Pentagon, FBI and Department of Homeland Security to ensure Fort Hood is secure.
Obama said his thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and families of the fallen, and the Fort Hood community.
“We will continue to support the community with the full resources of the federal government,” he said. “We will make sure that we get answers to every single question about this horrible incident.”
Obama said he has no greater honor than serving as commander and chief, but also recognizes the responsibility that entails in ensuring servicemembers are properly cared for and that their safety is assured while they are at home.
“So we are going to stay on this,” he said. “But I hope in the meantime that all of you recognize the scope of this tragedy, and keep everybody in their thoughts and prayers.”
Speaking to reporters at Fort Hood, Army Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commander of 3rd Corps and Fort Hood, credited quick response by police forces with bringing down a gunman after he opened fire at the soldier readiness unit.
“There were several eyewitness accounts that there was more than one shooter,” he said, noting that two additional soldiers had been taken into custody.
“The soldiers and family members are absolutely devastated,” he said. “It’s a terrible tragedy,” he said, but offered assurances, “We will work through it.”
Prayers for the families of these fallen soldiers and their families as well as the civilian officer and his family.
Time and time again the people in know said if we would not fight the enemy overseas, we would have to fight them over here. Now we have a president who sees our enemies as our friends, bows to their kings, and has delayed time and again the request by our military to fight and win. Our enemy knows our weakness at the top and has decided the time is right to move the battle over here just as we were warned.
The failure of 0bama and the Democrats is now complete and it is a failure of epic proportions. If we don’t get these people out of our govt. and out of our military as quickly as possible, there may not be an America left to hold elections in.
The one thing I have to say, they picked the wrong state in which to fight this war. Texas ain’t New York and to this day Texans still remember the Alamo.
Elgato you safe down there?
“When are they going to get the Muslims OUT of the services, (and out of the USA!) when we are FIGHTING Muslims overseas?”
Read “Infiltration” by Paul Sperry. We shouldn’t be surprised by this incident and the incidents that will happen due to our government turning a blind eye to what is happening in this country with the radical muslims. Sadly, more Americans will experience these types of incidents because our government refuses to profile or say or do anything that casts negativity on muslims. Clinton and Bush protected muslims in this country and now we have a president who supports muslims. This country is in deep doo doo.
Saw the smiley face “shout out” to someone in the audience. Made me feel sick(er) that Zippo usually does.
muzzie satanist murderer.
LLS
May the families of the fallen and injured find peace from our Lord Jesus and may the wounded find quick healing. We will be praying for them.
Bush’s fault.
Maybe this will be zero’s Waterloo! I am still sick from seeing that smirkie smile on his face. This should never be forgotten. I have heard that main stream media is alredy erasing those videos.
It was on ABC news radio. They said they had been cleared and released.
Retired Col. Lee just dropped a ton of dimes about Hasan’s history and statements that he has made. If what he said is true political correctness has just killed 11 and wounded 31.
Hey, don’t blame the Irish. It’s those darn Amish!
No, Now it’s Beck’s. Or Limbaugh’s. Take your pick. All their “hate speech” made the Islamo-fascists angry. (eye roll)
The truth will come out eventually.
I hope this becomes Slim Shady’s “My Pet Goat” moment!!!!
I have always felt that America is doing its heroic Armed Forces a disservice by ordering them to fight Muslims in foreign lands while, at the same time, allowing the immigration of Muslims so that these can take over their homeland while they are away.
Safe and sound, although a bit warm. More on that later. Locked in at the moment. I was actually off post when it went down, but they hadn't locked down my part of the post until after I'd returned. I only went back because my phone was on my desk, and I don't have a land line. Knew wife and others would be "upset" if they called, which they did, and I didn't answer. Fortunately office mates answered, since they had tried to call me and the phone rang in between the two of them.
Stopped by the house to let the mutt out, and took the time to get the carbine out, and to remove the FMJs from the gun I'd taken to the shoot and replace then with JHPs.
Unfortunately, the good guys are banned from having weapons on post, under most circumstances. So they are still at home. I really thought I would not be able to get back on, and intended to just go back to the house, and email folks telling them where I was and that I was OK.
Thanks for asking.
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