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Orlando. Another day, another wrenching day after.
The official toll of the mass shooting was adjusted to exclude the gunman: 49 dead, 53 wounded. Orlando’s FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Wysopal clarified the FBI opinion: “We don’t really count the shooter as a victim.”
Presidential presumptive frontrunners Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump also opined on Orlando.
Her: Zero in on lone wolves, demand more of our allies, #LoveIsLove and remember how the “spirit of 9/12” unified us after the attack on the World Trade Center.
Him: Ban immigrants and Muslims because “this is a very dark moment.” Also, “not gonna happen” when it comes to gun control.
The shooting ran through Sunday night’s Tony Awards, movingly. Lin-Manuel Miranda, the author and star of “Hamilton,” paid tribute to Orlando, his own loved ones and history with this extraordinary sonnet, which went viral immediately.
Take that
Trump buddy Roger Stone went on Sirius XM’s “Breitbart Daily News” to repeat creepy claims that Clinton aide Huma Abedin might be (yikes!) a “terrorist agent.”
And Trump revoked the Washington Post’s credential to cover his campaign due to, in his opinion, “incredibly inaccurate coverage.” The roster of the banned is starting to look like Nixon’s enemies list and Heidi Fleiss’ black book – everyone who’s anyone has been on it: Politico, BuzzFeed, The Huffington Post, The Daily Beast, The Des Moines Register, The Union Leader, Univision, Mother Jones, Fusion and National Review.
Post Editor Marty Baron called the move nothing less than a repudiation of the role of a free and independent press. The Post’s Karen Tumulty joked that Trump, if elected, might come to the paper and build a wall.
Take a number: 7 and 9
As ever, the Orlando massacre sent gunsmith stocks soaring. Reuters Breakingviews columnist Rob Cox reports that shares of Smith & Wesson gained nearly 7 percent on Monday, and Sturm Ruger’s were up nearly 9 percent.
Our take
The Sacramento Bee: Just when you thought the aftermath of the Orlando shooting couldn’t get worse, Donald Trump opened his mouth.
Foon Rhee: Ornery Bernie Sanders is hurting his own cause.
Dan Walters: The controversial Stanford sexual assault case has a political twist.
Gary Mendell and Bob Pack: Prescription drug database can stop overdose deaths, doctor shopping.
Laurie Madigan and Bill Mueller: California’s economy can be boosted by investing in workforce.
Their take
The Advocate: To understand the impact of the shootings in Orlando, one must understand what gay bars really mean, especially in conservative areas.
The Los Angeles Times: Trump smearing Obama with innuendo over Muslims and Orlando is a new low – even for him.
The Economist: The Florida massacre prompted a shouting match in the U.S., guaranteed to harden hearts and change no minds.
The National Review: If you think the average Muslim is more tolerant of LGBT people than the Christian right, think again.
Syndicates take
Michael Gerson: Divided we mourn.
Eugene Robinson: Assault weapons must be banned.
Trudy Rubin: A huge step back if Britain exits the EU.
Paul Krugman: A party agrift.
E.J. Dionne Jr.: Will Orlando drive us from our corners?
Second takes
Daily Mail columnist Dan Hodges @DPJHodges: In retrospect, Sandy Hook marked the end of the U.S. gun control debate. Once America decided killing children was bearable, it was over. (June 19, 2015)
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