President Obama has issued this statement on the military style terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris this morning:
I strongly condemn the horrific shooting at the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris that has reportedly killed 12 people. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this terrorist attack and the people of France at this difficult time.
France is America’s oldest ally, and has stood shoulder to shoulder with the United States in the fight against terrorists who threaten our shared security and the world. Time and again, the French people have stood up for the universal values that generations of our people have defended.
France, and the great city of Paris where this outrageous attack took place, offer the world a timeless example that will endure well beyond the hateful vision of these killers.
We are in touch with French officials and I have directed my Administration to provide any assistance needed to help bring these terrorists to justice.
Missing from the statement: Any claim that the terrorist attack was unIslamic. Also missing: any acknowledgement that the attack was carried out in the name of Islam, with the attackers targeting the publication that had satirized Muhammad and claiming to have “avenged” Muhammad. Also missing: any acknowledgement that the attack on the newspaper was prompted by its unrepentant exercise of its right of free speech. I suppose we can be grateful that Obama hasn’t yet criticized “hateful cartoons” with which he had nothing to do.
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