The President will address the nation on the tragic shooting in Parkland, Florida. He needs to do better than this first, victim-blaming take:

So many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed, even expelled from school for bad and erratic behavior. Neighbors and classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such instances to authorities, again and again!

Thursday, Feb 15, 2018 · 4:23:55 PM +00:00

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Joan McCarter

Reading off a teleprompter: “we’re a nation in grief,” gives details. Parkland a “great” community.

Thursday, Feb 15, 2018 · 4:25:02 PM +00:00

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Joan McCarter

Entire nation is praying for victims’ families. “We are all joined together as one American family and your suffering is our burden as well.” No teacher, child should be afraid to go to school, no parent should be afraid to send their children to school.

Thursday, Feb 15, 2018 · 4:25:39 PM +00:00

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Joan McCarter

Today we mourn for all of those who lost their lives. We comfort the grieving and the mourning.

Thursday, Feb 15, 2018 · 4:26:49 PM +00:00

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Joan McCarter

So far a more gracious Trump than we usually see, but thus far it’s all thoughts and prayers. Says he’s going to go visit Parkland and “continue coordinating federal response,” with no information on what that response is.

Thursday, Feb 15, 2018 · 4:27:58 PM +00:00

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Joan McCarter

Speaking directly to America’s children: “I want you to know you are never alone and never will be … people will doing anything at all to protect you.” Except do something about guns, apparently. Throws in a “pro-life” nod there on “culture of life.”

Thursday, Feb 15, 2018 · 4:28:31 PM +00:00

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Joan McCarter

Oh, we’re going to tackle the difficult issue of “mental health,” from the president who wants to take everyone’s insurance away.