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Monday, June 13, 2016

Repost: Fifty Dead as Gunman Fires at Gay Nightclub in Orlando

Image courtesy of www.reuters.com

Source: www.reuters.com

A gunman killed 50 people at a packed gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida on Sunday and wounded 53 others before being killed by police in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.

The shooter was identified as Omar S. Mateen, a Florida resident who a senior FBI official said might have had leanings toward Islamic State militants. Officials called the rampage a "terrorism incident," but cautioned that the suspected Islamist connection required further investigation.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said the attack was the deadliest single U.S. shooting incident, eclipsing the 32 people killed in the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech university.

"Today we're dealing with something that we never imagined and is unimaginable," Dyer said, more than doubling an earlier estimate that about 20 bodies were found in the Pulse nightclub.

A police officer working as a security guard inside the club, which has operated in downtown Orlando since 2004, exchanged fire with the suspect at about 2 a.m. EDT, police officials said.

A hostage situation quickly developed, and three hours later SWAT team officers used armored cars to storm the club before shooting dead the gunman. It was unclear when the gunman killed the victims.

One officer was injured after he was hit in his helmet while exchanging fire with the gunman, police said.

"Do we consider this an act of terrorism? Absolutely," said Danny Banks, special agent in charge of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. "Whether that is domestic terrorist activity or an international one, that is something we will certainly get to the bottom of."

Asked if the FBI suspected the gunman might have had inclinations toward militant Islam, including a possible sympathy for Islamic State, Ronald Hopper, an assistant FBI agent in charge, told reporters: "We do have suggestions that the individual may have leanings toward that particular ideology. But right now we can't say definitively."

The FBI said it was still trying to pin down whether the mass shooting was a hate crime against gays or a terrorist act.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida told CNN he understood that the gunman had worked for a security company and so would have undergone some background checks.

"Over the next couple of days they're going to be looking to see where this individual was inspired to carry out this horrifying act of terrorism," Rubio said. "I think we're going to be talking about a very different kind of case here soon."

President Barack Obama ordered the federal government to provide any assistance needed to Florida police investigating the shooting, the White House said in a statement.

'HORRIFIC ACT'

The attacker was carrying an assault rifle and a handgun, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said. He was also carrying an unidentified "device", Orlando Police Chief John Mina said earlier.

Javer Antonetti, 53, told the Orlando Sentinel newspaper he was near the back of the dance club when he heard gunfire. "There were so many (shots), at least 40 ... it was constant, like 'pow, pow, pow,'," he said. 

Video footage showed police officers and civilians carrying some injured people away from the club and bending over others on the ground. Dozens of police cruisers, ambulances and other emergency vehicles could be seen in the area.

Pulse, which was crowded for a Latin music night, describes itself on its website as more than "just another gay club." One of the founders and owners, Barbara Poma, opened it more than a decade ago in an effort to keep alive the spirit of her brother, who died after battling HIV.

The choice of target was especially heart-wrenching for members of the U.S. lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, LGBT advocacy group Equality Florida said in a statement.

"Gay clubs hold a significant place in LGBTQ history. They were often the only safe gathering place and this horrific act strikes directly at our sense of safety," the group said. "We will await the details in tears of sadness and anger."

Orlando has a population of 270,930 and is the home of the famed Disney World amusement park and many other tourist attractions that attracted 62 million visitors in 2014.

It was the second deadly shooting at an Orlando night spot in as many nights. Late Friday, a man thought to be a deranged fan fatally shot singer Christina Grimmie, a former contestant on "The Voice", as she was signing autographs after a concert. [L1N1930E6]

(Additional reporting by Letitia Stein in Tampa, Colleen Jenkins in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Chris Michaud in New York and Mary Milliken in Los Angeles; Writing by Frank McGurty, Scott Malone and Dan Wallis; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Mary Milliken)

104 comments:

  1. Yan kase GUNS pa more AMERICA

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    1. Hoi 12:29 kakasuka ugali mo. Ke madali bumili ng basil dito sa Orlando o hindi, terrorism is terrorism. Kung wala kang magandang sasabihin, dapat sayo pinuputulan ng Internet! Nakakagigil katulad mo

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    2. Bad guys will get guns from the black market regardless of strict gun laws. It's not the guns fault but the shooter.

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    3. The gunman might have a connection to ISIS. So pariho Lang din Sa Nangyari Sa Paris at ibang lugar

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    4. As per reports, suspect LEGALLY purchased a glock pistol and a long gun. While strict gun laws could never stop people from buying guns, or killing each other, it would at least, limit the guns to be sold and/or sell it to those who are responsible enough to carry these weapons. Mass shooting like this could still happen but at least it would cut down the number of lives that could be lost. They should first educate the owners, be more strict in securing license to carry firearms, and limit the selling to just handguns. Leave the high-powered ones to those who go to wars. That is just me though.

      And anin 3:33, why the hate? Things such as this all started in hate so Why. The. Hate?

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    5. i am thinking that what if someone from that area also has a gun, bka sakali napigilan ung terrorist na yan. mahrap tlga kapag wla ka man lng pandepensa sa katawan. kaya ako d2 sa pinas mahirap din mgng kampante, kht man lng pepperspray meron ako.

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    6. Anon 11:40 You say "limit the guns to be sold and/or sell it to those who are responsible enough to carry these weapons." The shooting suspect works as a security guard. He was obviously deemed safe to carry a gun.

      The reason why NRA members like myself want higher caliber/ fully automatic guns is because I want a fighting chance when I come across people like this guy. You think a .45 will cut it when someone is on a rampage? When I protect my home and my family, I want the playing field to be even. I don't know if you're responsible for anybody, like I am. But for me having these guns give me peace of mind.

      I've had close calls with burglars/ gang members (and mind you I live in a nicer area) and believe me when I say the Police came 30 minutes after my 911 call. Another time it was an hour. When there were gunshots in my street (as in sunod sunod) at 12 am the police took 7 minutes to get there. When you're in that situation even with guns you still feel a little bit helpless. Because even though you and the shooter both have guns, you know the person on the other end isn't afraid to use it.

      Gun laws are meant to protect people too. It's a two way street. Gun laws weren't made with the criminal in mind. It's supposed to favor law abiding citizens! Just thought I'd share my sentiments because people seem to think that people who are for these guns are bad.

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    7. Hindi naman siguro tama na sa trahedyang ito e mag aaway away pa kayo. Sabi nga ng isa sa nanay ng victims, live and let live. Peace for everyone

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    8. 12:41 Suspect also had minor brush ins with the law. His ex-wife stated that he was a nut job and has violent tendencies which why they filed for divorce. Authorities also said he was interviewed in regards witht the Boston bombings in which he showed syphathy with the bombers. And yet they still let him work in one of the most well-known security agencies in the US.

      I'm a 90s over-priviledge kid who grew up with body guards around me carrying high-calibered weapons such as uzis and armalites, typical bodyguard issues. One of my oldest memories was during new year, my uncle had boxes of fireworks which quickly diminished way before 12am so he ordered his bodyguards to fire their guns up in the air. It was traumatizing.

      Now, my husband is an enthusiast. He owns 3 guns of sorts. He's got these stuff hidden everywhere inc the cars but he made sure that he had it securely locked up to avoid accidents. Better be safe than sorry. We have 3 boys and we've already lost 2 friends during our teens because of irresponsible gun ownership. Our friends were 14 and 16 respectively when they lost their lives. They thought it was cool to own guns. And of course, hubby has a cousin serving time in jail for a crime he committed because he was st**id enough to think having a gun makes him invincible. It was one of those sensationalize news but I won't say more.

      The key here is reponsibility. I didn't say ban the guns, just be a bit more strict in selling and distributing. Imagine the difference between a hand held gun vs a high calibered one will make, in terms of damages? There will always be victims of gun violence but at least it would cut down the possible number of casualties.

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    9. 7:15 I agree with you. No hate.

      - anon 11:40

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    10. I agree with NO HATE PLEASE. But people have the right to BE ANGRY. People are dying in massive numbers. This is the largest killing spree in recent US history.

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  2. They believe it was a terrorist attack. This is just terribly sad.

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    1. IT'S JUST SAD THAT THIS WORLD IS FULL OF HATRED.

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    2. Yeah, muslim guy from Afghanistan

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    3. He is an American, He was born in America , I think Florida, only his parents are from Afghanistan

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    4. Yes it is. It gives me goosebumps everytime nanonood ako ng news. Ano na nangyayari sa mundo?

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    5. 4:31 He was born in New York.

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    6. If you do research some news wrote he pledged allegiance with ISIs. He called 911 to confess that and claimed he was also associated to the boston bombing incident years ago.

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    7. Yes he was born in America and he is American but his allegiance is with ISIS and has been reared Muslim.

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  3. #lovewins forever

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  4. Grabe naman ito. bitter siguro sa lovelife si gunman

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    1. Hindi po lahat ng tao, lovelife ang problema. Maaaring deep-rooted family issues ito. Minsan kasi mga tao like you 1237am akala lovelife lang ang purpose nila para mabuhay. Hindi po sa lovelife umiikot ang mundo. Check yourself.

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    2. Ang tarush ng comment ni ateng...pero toto kasi ang tao sa pinas puro lovelife lang ang nasa utek

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    3. Or baka inaaway ang LT niya....

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    4. Some muslims hate gays.

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    5. According to his co workers gal it sya sa mga blacks, Jews and gays.

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  5. Woke up to this very sad news. RIP to the victims.

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  6. Trump for President!

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    1. Pag nanalo si Trump di ka na makakapasok sa US teh. Racist po si Trump.

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    2. Yuck! Any one who will vote for Trump is a racist.

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    3. Trump hates muslims and immigrants. He knows nothing about politics. He is a businessman, not a politician.

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    4. I don't know if he is racist or not, but I do know that he hates illegal immigrants. And who wouldn't hate illegals, right?"

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    5. 1:56, I don't hate illegals. They're human beings too who wanted to escape from the injustice and poverty of their country of origin. Bigyan sila Ng chance makapagtrbaho Ng marangal. Many of them are very hardworking people.

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    6. 3:22, Kaya bumabagal processing ng immigrant visas dahil sa mga illegals. Just today in the San Diego Union Tribune is an article about 200 plus foreigners in a Tijuana, Mexico migrant shelter waiting as asylum seekers in San Ysidro port of entry in San Diego. US will house and feed them while their papers are being processed. some with connections in theUS are released to their relatives and become
      TNTs while others are deported.

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    7. 3:22am How would you feel if Philippines is a first world country and got flooded with illegals? Would it be fine with you if the illegals get all kinds of perks from your tax money? Then what if you got laid off from your job coz an illegal worked for less than your salary? How would you feel if the illegals get more welfare than your tax paying family? Kaya nga may immigration law eh. Sa Mexico, pag US resident nag-overstay, they get arrested right away. Bakit pag Mexican na illegal dito sa US eh dapat pagbigyan nalang?

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    8. 1:19 youll b surprised how many americans wanted trump to win against hilary. Esp in the military.. Back out nga lahat nang kalaban ni trump sa republican kasi nilampaso nya sa rarings.

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    9. 1:10 grabe ka naman. If you were to enter the US legally walang problema yon. If you wanted to migrate legally that is fine too. Illegal immigration is a huge problem here in America. A good number of you here in the comments section aren't from the US. You don't see how bad people abuse the system here.

      YES... Trump for President. I already voted for him in the past primary. And no I am not a bigot or a racist like the liberal media would have you believe. If you ACTUALLY REVIEW THE ISSUES he stands for you would see that he's a better fit for the presidency.

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    10. THEY SHOULD KEEP THE UNDOCUMENTED ONES WHO ARE GOOD AND GIVE THEM JOBS.

      THEY SHOULD DEPORT THOSE THAT HAVE CRIMINAL RECORDS.

      THEY SHOULD STRENGTHEN THEIR BORDER SECURITY.

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    11. 12:50AM
      I am not from America nor living in the America. But as I hear the speeches of Trump and Hillary mas may sense for me ang kay Trump. Siguro lang minsan the way he delivers his speeches kaya imbis na maunawaan ng tao ang point nya nauunahan na ng inis.

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  7. RIP to the victims. Will be praying for you families to give them strength during these times

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  8. Not siding with the terrorist pero minsan parang dahilan nlng nila yung terrorist attack pag mga ganitong mass killing,medyo nakakapagtaka lang.peace.

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    1. The gunman pledged his allegiance to the leader of ISIS. Therefore, this mass killing is considered a terrorist attack. At the same time, hate crime din because according to his father, he had negative feelings toward homosexuality.

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    2. That is why Trump wants to stop immigration ofMuslims to US. Most of the killings in US were perpetrated by Muslims: the San Bernardino killings, Boston marathon bombing, Fort Hood massacre, recent killing of a professor in UCLA, and now the Orlando carnage. In France, Belguim and London mga Muslims din terrorized people.

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    3. 11:05 - MINSAN HINDI MO NA RIN ALAM ANG IISIPIN MO. KUNG MAAAWA KA BA DUN SA MGA MABABAIT NA MUSLIM NA NAAAPEKTUHAN O IYONG MGA NAMAMATAY.

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    4. 2:01PM Well how sure are you na meron mababait na Muslim? Maybe they seem 'mabait' for you dahil wala kayong malalim na discussions about life and everything under the sun. If there are good hearted Muslims out there why can't they unite and help the mankind in the fight against terrorism? How many years they had been creating havoc in the world? Ever heard something from the government of Muslim countries? Or their people?

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    5. Hoy anon 8:11 sang planeta ka galing at makapagsalita k na walang mabait n muslim, kung lahat ng muslim e terrorist sana di k n nakakapag commeny ngaun dahil six feet below ka na gung gong!

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    6. 10:50AM Not all Muslims are terrorist but the point is what they are doing to stop it? Are you a Muslim? If yes what have you done to send a message across your Muslim brothers and sisters to stop terrorism?

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  9. I live mga 5 mins away from this area the screaming and gunshots were very alarming. Maingay tas biglang wala na. Haunting to pass by it...nakakatakot mga sis!

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    1. OMG! Ingat kayo dyan. Thoughts & prayers from SoCal!

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    2. Uy FP classmate 1:03 I live in Orlando too. Malapit sa Millenia Mall. Nice to know meron akong classmate from the same place.

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  10. The gunman is a Muslim immigrant from Afghanistan..

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    1. That's false. The suspect was a US-born Muslim whose parents hail from Afghanistan. This shows that ISIS recruits people all over the world. Quite alarming how many young people are getting turned.

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    2. He is not. He is an American, Born in New York.

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    3. He is US born and Trump would like to ban all Muslims from entering the US because of this. So stupid, e etong killer dito born and raised paano nya e ban to?

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    4. 10:24AM at least if Trump will ban all the Muslims from entering mas malelessen ang crimes or terrorism. Minsan kasi yung mga pumapasok na Muslim nagrerecruit. Ano yun yung born and raised in the US na Muslim out of the blue nalang gusto maging terorista without an outside factor? Meron yan nakilala who na nagrecruit/nagbuyo/nagbrain wash or whatever term you want to call it. Sa mga Muslim naman na ayaw kuno sa lifestyle ng Western eh bakit kayo sumisiksik dyan? Kasi mas madali ang buhay kumpara sa pinanggalingnan nyo

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    5. kahit iban man, may social media pa rin

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    6. 12:47AM if you are in the Middle East you'll see that a lot of websites and even YouTube videos are blocked. So after banning them from entering the US or any countries they seem to hate the next step would be these internet networks or internet company to help into blocking any websites or videos that seem to spread hate and or insinuating jihad. Its a hard work and takes time but it is totally worth it.

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  11. Hate crime against LGBT community.

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    1. 1.26 Nagdidiscriminate ka rin against everyone else, LGBT lang ba ang importante? Pag crime against straight people it doesn't matter ganern?

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    2. 2:03, what!?! Yung Pulse ay isang gay club, meaning halos lahat ng andun ay LGBT, hate crime naman talaga to sa LGBT. At the same time, kino-consider din to na Domestic terrorism.

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    3. 2:03 not discrimination against everyone else. The fact that this the worst mass shooting in history makes it significantly prominent. He also had very hateful feelings towards LGBT so yes, this is a hate crime.

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    4. Before firing gun shots someone heard him shouting "you can't control your worldly desires." Katakot!

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    5. FUNNY THAT THE TERRORIST WAS ON A GAY APP TALKING TO GAY GUYS A WEEK BEFORE THIS TRAGIC INCIDENT TOOK PLACE.

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  12. sad..R.I.P sa mga namatay.

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  13. And why the US keeps on admitting these Muslims

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    1. Too much democracy baks.. Plus Obama ..Equals disaster

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    2. Te? This killer is an American. Born and raised in the United States and has never left the US. Ignoramous lang te?

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    3. Btw te, so many domestic terrorisms in the past were done by White people. Non Muslims, te. Ban ban Ka dyan.

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    4. First generation American. But the question is, did he assimilate to the American culture? I have Muslim neighbors here in Toledo and even though they grew up here, they were raised differently. All values and culture of their parent's home country are pretty much intact in their upbringing. And yes, they hate everything American.

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    5. 10:39 he is american born of immigrant parents. eh di parang nag admit na sila ng terrorism just by accepting the terrorists parents!

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    6. 10:39AM US accepted his MUSLIM PARENTS who raised a child to be a killer someday! Naku maka ignoramus ka try mo tumira sa mga lugar na purong Muslim ewan ko lang.

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    7. 1:35, terrorist parents? Just because his parents are Muslims, it doesn't mean they're terrorists.

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    8. They may not be terrorists but Islam as it is hates non-believers and homosexuals. FACT... but people want to be politically correct so they don't mention this too much (wag daw mag generalize) So yes, they may not be terrorists but their religion instills hatred in them. So one half of terrorism is already there. Hatred + acting out = terrorism

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    9. 1:19 - THAT'S WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND ABOUT PEOPLE. IF YOU DECIDE ON MIGRATING TO A NEW COUNTRY, YOU MUST ADAPT AND ASSIMILATE TO THE CULTURE.

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    10. 12:55AM you nailed it. If I were to share my experiences here it would take me the whole day typing the words away.

      2:04PM kaya nga yun nga ang nakakatawa sa kanila. Years ago there was a news that a Muslim family migrated in Canada. So the kids grew up there. And what happened was the father ended up killing his daughters as they were acting like a Canadian therefore bringing shame to the family daw! Duh. Kung pwede lang makipagpalit ang mga Muslim na nasa Western Countries pero GALIT na GALIT sa culture ng mga yan dito nalang sila sa disyerto at makipag palit kaming mga non muslims sa kanila

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  14. so sad - and this is the worst mass shooting ever sa US. eh kung may gumawa nito sa mall show ng fave LT's niyo or sa valkyrie club? o kaya someone opens fire on your matinee idol/s?
    no one is safe.
    #prayfororlando

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  15. US not safe sa iba na lang kayo manirahan

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    1. Oo sa paris k na lang tumira or sa brussels

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    2. try nyo teh sa North Korea mukhang safe doon walang Muslim.

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  16. Pashneyang mga b*gots yan! Who are they to take people's lives? Napaka-senseless and this shouldn't be blamed on one's religious belief, this should be blamed on their society. Celebrities had been pleading for gun control. Their president had been insisting on gun control. Psh americans and their guns. Smh.

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    1. Mga ignoranteng Trump supporters yan.

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    2. Celebrities have been pleading for gun control.

      Wow ha so pag sinabi pala ng celebrity go na yun na ang pinakatama? Wow ha how gullible. Sama mo na yung president na nanalo because of media.

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    3. REPUBLICAUNTS WILL NE EVER BE OKAY WITH GUN CONTROL.

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  17. Wal na talagang safe na lugar sa panahon ngayun! Prayers at guidance lang ni lord ang panlaban natin

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    1. SA NORHTERN EUROPE NA LANG SIGURO ANG SAFE.

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  18. If Trump wins he will remove All the muslims in the USA

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    1. So how is he going to remove ALL muslims in the USA?! Do you even think that's legally possible?

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    2. Agreed to that!

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    3. tama yan, bawalin lahat ng mosque in USA dyan naman nabubuo yong doctrine of hate nila.

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    4. And he will also erase the First Amendment from the Constitution. Idiots follow idiots, indeed.

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    5. 1:55 PM do you really think one person could do that? Single handedly? This is America, dear. The most democratic country in the world.

      Banning non-Americans from entry doesn't mean anything. THEY ARE NOT AMERICANS and the Constitution does not apply to them.

      And don't buy into the gibberish that Muslims or Mexicans will be DEPORTED. If you have criminal history and bad intent oo. But if you are a peaceful Muslim/ not Mexican cartel walang problema yan.

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  19. Di ba ORLANDO DIN UN BINARIL SI CHRISTINA GRIMMIE??

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  20. I live near Orlando. I'm praying na hindi nila titira hin mga theme parks. Theme park capital of the world pa naman din ang Orlando.

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    1. I'm from Orlando too, I hope not. But they're checking bags naman unless inside job or yung pila Sa entrance pa Lang ang pagdiskitahan....I really hope not, nakakatakot na din talaga :(

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  21. Kung maka-komento ang mga nagmamarunong dito, mukhang mas maalam pa sa FBI. Kung mag-generalize ng mga Muslim, wagas. A ban on Muslims is not only unconstitutional, it's also un-American. And what's so sad is that many Filipinos who espouse such ban don't even bother researching that they - next to Mexicans - are the biggest beneficiaries of liberalized American immigration policy: those same policies passed in 1965 by a Democrat President and a Democrat Congress, during the height of the civil rights movement. Nakakasuka ang mga hipokrito na 'to.

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    1. A ban on Muslims -- unconstitutional? Are they Americans? They're not. Immigration is an act of goodwill from the US to other countries, not a privilege for outsiders. People have no right to demand it.

      May gustong pumatay sa yo papasok ng bahay mo papapasukin mo?

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    2. Let's say Trump's President and a U.S. citizen who happens to be Muslim visits Europe. He goes back to the U.S., but can't be admitted due to Trump's ban on Muslims. Is the ban constitutional?

      Also, how is letting a murderer into my dwelling at all relevant? Are you saying that all Muslims are murderers and thus should be categorically banned from the U.S. (the house in your stupid analogy)?

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  22. This is a hate crime.

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