"Our hearts go out to them," said self-described Christian President Obama, today, July 7, 2011, omitting any mention of prayers for the victims of the Oslo, Norway dual attacks, with a death toll now exceeding 90, a tragedy many thinks points to domestic terrorism.
Following is the full text of President Obama's statement, from the video available on the left sidebar:
I wanted to personally extend my condolences to the people of Norway. And it’s a reminder that the entire international community has a stake in preventing this kind of terror from occurring. And so we have to work cooperatively together both on intelligence and in terms of prevention of these kinds of horrible attacks.
I remember fondly my visit to Oslo and how warmly the people of Norway treated me. And so our hearts go out to them, and we’ll provide any support we can to them as they investigate these occurrences.
In prepared speeches about former tragedies, the president has often mentioned prayer. In less formal statements, the same is not always the case.
After the tragedy of the Gabrielle Gifford shooting, in a Tuscon speech that shocked many because of the presence of what was considered by some to be unseemly election campaign tees imprinted with the slogan, "Together we thrive, later dubbed "Death Rally Tees" - Obama spoke twice of prayer :
- " I am confident that the power of love, friendship and the prayers of a nation will help bring Gabby back to her family, her friends and her beloved constituents. "
- "I have come here tonight as an American who, like all Americans, kneels to pray with you today, and will stand by you tomorrow,"
Following the terrible earthquake and tsunami in Japan, according to text released from the White House, a formal statement began with, "First and foremost, our thoughts and our prayers are with the people of Japan.". However, President Obama's first statement, a statement from both he and Michelle offered condolences but no prayers. It is listed, among other distinctly formal statements, on the White House blog.
"Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the people of Japan, particularly those who have lost loved ones in the earthquake and tsunamis. The United States stands ready to help the Japanese people in this time of great trial. The friendship and alliance between our two nations is unshakeable, and only strengthens our resolve to stand with the people of Japan as they overcome this tragedy. We will continue to closely monitor tsunamis around Japan and the Pacific going forward and we are asking all our citizens in the affected region to listen to their state and local officials as I have instructed FEMA to be ready to assist Hawaii and the rest of the US states and territories that could be affected."
Prayer was not mentioned in another presidential statement about yet another Japanese crisis, the nuclear crisis, released by the White House.
In this statement following the Ft. Hood tragedy, Obama mentioned prayers, saying, "My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and with the families of the fallen, and with those who live and serve at Fort Hood."
Praying Americans might like to add their prayers for Norway to those of Queen Elizabeth II in her letter to King Harald V of Norway describing how the thoughts of she and the Duke of Edinburgh were with the Norwegian people. She wrote, "I am deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic loss of life of so many people on the island of Utoeya and in Oslo" adding "Prince Philip joins me in extending our heartfelt sympathy to your majesty and the people of Norway. Our prayers and thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the dreadful atrocity."
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