by Rick Pearson
AKRON, Ohio—Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton today expressed her condolences to the families of victims in the tragic shooting at Northern Illinois University and said it was part of a disturbing trend of gun violence at schools involving the mentally ill.
Clinton, speaking from the floor of a machine-parts plant owned by aviation and defense contractor Lockheed-Martin Corp., also said the event should prompt a review of how to protect gun-owner rights while finding ways to keep guns away from those who suffer from mental illness.
Here are her brief remarks on the subject to the plant’s workers:
“I was born in Illinois. I’m from the Midwest and I’ve been to Northern Illinois University and I was deeply saddened by the terrible shootings that occurred there yesterday.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones. As a mother, I cannot begin to imagine the heartbreak and grief that racks the families who send their children off to college and wake up to see what has so senselessly intruded into their lives. They’re all in my prayers.
“But this is part of a profoundly disturbing pattern of gun violence on campuses and at schools. And it’s particularly troubling because it appears that once again, the shooter had a history of mental illness.
“We just have to figure out how we’re going to get smart about protecting our kids because obviously, we have to first and foremost do everything we can to take reasonable steps to keep our children safe and while safeguarding and respecting our Second Amendment rights, we’ve got to figure out how to get guns out of the hands of criminals, terrorists, gang members and people with mental health problems.
“Certainly I am deeply saddened and send my prayers and best wishes to those who were directly affected.”
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Comments
Too much talk too little substance and new Ideas / solutions. A true copy of Obama's Ideas. Get it! Who is leader who is a follower and doer.
Posted by: MAHENDER GORIGANTI | February 15, 2008 5:06 PM
“We just have to figure out how we’re going to get smart about protecting our kids because obviously, we have to first and foremost do everything we can to take reasonable steps to keep our children safe and while safeguarding and respecting our Second Amendment rights, we’ve got to figure out how to get guns out of the hands of criminals, terrorists, gang members and people with mental health problems."
Blah-blah-blah-blah-blah.
This from the candidate who is priding herself on having "the solutions."
Like her mentor Richard Nixon, Hillary is holding the "solutions" to our problems close to her chest until she wins. If we vote for her, she will reveal her "secret solutions." If we don't, she's going to keep them and go home.
Posted by: Resident Genius | February 15, 2008 6:13 PM
Talk to your Big Pharm buddies, Hill. Whatever drug company is responsible for this guy blowing his circuits is probably one of your campaign contributors.
Posted by: DD | February 15, 2008 6:29 PM
I hope she wins!!! She is true to heart and will change this country! Bill Clinton was great and so will she be!
Posted by: Anonymous | February 15, 2008 7:19 PM
How can these candidates continue to try to protect the rights to bear arms when people are getting shot as often as they are in this country? Did our forefathers really want to provide us protection to bear arms against each other - I don't think so. Hillary and Barrack aren't going to do anything to help this situation. How much money are they getting from the gun lobby? We need strict gun control and if that means getting rid of them all together all the better. Why bring the troops home when they are probably safer in Iraq than in the US? There have been far more gun deaths in the US than to our troops in Iraq this year.
And Hillary wants to keep guns out of the hands of people with mental illnesses, how will she do this without invading their right to privacy?
Posted by: DRB | February 15, 2008 8:39 PM
I can't beleive obama people attack hillary in a condolences statement. Is is to audacious to speak from the heart? Are you that hopeless. There has been a long history of campaigns that only talk about change, who cares anymore, Hillary talks about change plus solutions to make it happen.
Posted by: nht | February 15, 2008 9:18 PM
Hillary talks about change plus solutions to make it happen.
Posted by: nht | February 15, 2008 9:18 PM
What "solutions"? Name ONE. "Solutions" is merely Hillary's own empty suit catch phrase. She criticizes Obama for being about "words," but aside from saying she has "solutions," she never mentions even ONE.
Posted by: Roger | February 15, 2008 10:27 PM
Hey, Resident Genius, when did Nixon mentor Hillary? While she was successfully working to have him impeached?
In January 1974 she was chosen as one of 43 lawyers handpicked to work on the legal staff of the House Judiciary Committee, which was charged with preparing impeachment proceedings against President Richard Nixon resulting from the Watergate scandal.
Posted by: Go Vegetarian! | February 15, 2008 10:28 PM
DD,
Be careful, O supporters really shouldn't be too quick to criticize when it comes to the Pharmaceutical/ health care industry contributions. At least Hillary is up front about it and I believe Obama's percentages in this arena have increased over the last few months.
Mrs. Clinton received $2.7 million through the end of September.Obama of Illinois is the No. 2 recipient of donations from the health care industry, having raised about $2.2 million, according to campaign finance records.
Drug and device makers have donated about $275,000 to Mrs. Clinton's campaign, making her the top recipient of money from that sector, followed closely by Mr. Obama, with $261,400.
Posted by: Go Vegetarian! | February 15, 2008 10:34 PM
To the ones calling themselves Obama Supporters and using this as a forum to attack Senator Clinton - Shame on you! Find an article about the issues, not an article about her offering sympathy to the families suffering.
Posted by: Obama Supporter | February 15, 2008 11:23 PM
Why are Obama supporters attacking Hillary for sending her condolences on a tragic event? Can she do anything right in your eyes, or are you too blinded by irrational hatred?
Congratulations to Hillary for remaining strong and compassionate.
Posted by: Kay | February 16, 2008 2:19 AM
So we are going to blame the Pharma industry because this person wasn't taking his meds that apparently were helping him? Blame the drug industry but praise the gun industry and NRA for helping put the gun in his hands! Get a clue!
Posted by: DRB | February 16, 2008 8:56 AM
Quote by nht...
"To the ones calling themselves Obama Supporters and using this as a forum to attack Senator Clinton - Shame on you! Find an article about the issues, not an article about her offering sympathy to the families suffering."
Hey, who is the one using a tragedy in the news for a sympathy sound bite? This is classic Clinton Politics and spin. "Blah, Blah Blah" doesn't equal solutions!
Wisconsin for Obama!
Posted by: Big Vic | February 16, 2008 9:43 AM
Yes, Go Vegetarian, I will say the same thing to Obama and every other politician. This government is so owned by Pharm it's not funny. They are able to get questionable drugs approved and make millions, but anyone who dare says that grapes prevent cancer gets thrown in jail. And yes, DRB, I am blaming Pharm because the effects of a drug are still to be measured after you stop taking it. You can bet that if it was shown that stopping taking Viagra made you impotent, there would be a lot of outrage and concern. Someone stops taking an anti-depressant and goes berserk and everyone jumps on the gun debate.
Posted by: DD | February 16, 2008 12:18 PM
To Whom It May Concern:
Hillary Clinton is a true statesman, who loves people of all races. She has worked for and with all ethnic groups and his provided them with appropriate legal assistance. She is one who "practices what she preaches." Remember this, the Lord gave every "man" and "woman" their own brain to operate according to best means. GOD only wants ALL that He has created to participate in LOVE, PEACE and GENUINE CARING for MANKIND.
Posted by: Ione Hill | February 16, 2008 2:42 PM
To Whom It May Concern:
Hillary Clinton is a true statesman, who loves people of all races. She has worked for and with all ethnic groups and has provided them with appropriate legal assistance. She is one who "practices what she preaches." Remember this, the Lord gave every "man" and "woman" their own brain to operate, according to the best means. GOD only wants ALL that He has created to participate in LOVE, PEACE and GENUINE CARING for MANKIND.
Posted by: Ione Hill | February 16, 2008 2:47 PM
Now the Lib's are blaming the Pharmaceutical Companies? You people are absolute lunatics!!! If you really try hard and focus a little bit...I'm sure you could find a way to blame Haliburton too! God Bless the Pharmaceutical Companies that save millions of lives everyday and the energy companies("BIG OIL") that provide us with a wonderful lifestyle!!
Posted by: Joe | February 16, 2008 4:38 PM
I hope Hillary wins !
She is the most experienced and will prove to be the right choice . Rhetoric and hope are wonderful but experience speaks louder than words !
Posted by: Laura | February 17, 2008 12:08 PM
A person with a long history of mental illness kills someone kids, brothers, and sisters. Then the Hillary-haters come flying out with some of the most idiotic responses I can imagine. The system is clearly broke and it needs fixed.
A republican will not touch this issue. Hillary is the true leader with the vision to tackle this problem.
Posted by: Larry | February 17, 2008 4:47 PM