OPINION:
Why is it so difficult for President Obama to call out the Orlando slaying for what it was: an act of radical Islamic terror?
In his briefing this afternoon, Mr. Obama refused to use the term, instead dubbing the attack in Orlando “home-grown” terrorism. This despite murderer, Omar Mateen, attending a mosque reportedly four times a week — the same mosque Moner Muhammad Abu-Salha, the first American to commit a jihadist suicide bombing in Syria, attended — and pledging his allegiance to the Islamic State terror group on a 911 call.
The U.S. newspapers’ headlines were equally as confused on Monday — some blaming the National Rifle Association for the massacre, while others playing down its terrorism ties. To see how politically correct we as a nation have become, just compare and contrast U.S. paper headlines on Monday with that of Europe’s — the difference is astonishing.
EUROPEAN PAPER HEADLINES:
The Daily Express: “50 Slaughtered by extremist in U.S. nightclub terror attack”
The Mirror: “ISIS Maniac Kills 50 in Gay Club: Gunman sprays bullets at 320 revellers in worst U.S. terror attack since 9/11”
The Daily Telegraph: “Isil wages war on gays in West”
The Guardian: “Massacre in Orlando: Attack on gay nightclub least at least 50 dead; Gunman made ISIS pledge during standoff, says FBI; Killer identified as U.S. citizen with alleged terror link”
The Times: “He swore allegiance to ISIS then shot 50 dead”
The Sun: “America’s Bataclan: I.S. killer slays 50 club revellers; worst U.S. terror attack since 911”
U.S. PAPER HEADLINES:
New York Daily News: “Thanks NRA: because of your continued opposition to an assault rifle ban, terrorists like this lunatic can legally buy a killing machine and perpetrate the worst mass shooting in U.S. history”
New York Times: “Orlando Police Detail Battle to End Massacre at Gay Nightclub”
Washington Post: “50 killed at gay club in Fla.: Mateen called erratic, abusive, ’filled with hate’”
Orlando Sentinel: “Our Community will Heal”
USA Today: “Mass shooting creates chaos at Orlando nightclub”
Chicago Tribune: “49 killed at Orlando gay nightclub in worst mass shooting in U.S. history”
Boston Globe: “50 killed as gunman attacks Orlando gay club”
The Wall Street Journal: “A Night of Terror in Orlando”
Los Angeles Times: “’An act of terror and an act of hate: 50 killed in Florida gay nightclub”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.