To those who have lost someone in this attack, our prayers go out to families. For ourselves, as individuals and as a nation, we also ask prayers. In the coming days and weeks, we will hear rhetoric from all sides. We will be innundated with facts and rumors and suppositions. Many will call for retribution, and we are discovering the frustration of not having a villain and means to visit our wrath upon.
Terrorism is designed to frighten and demoralize.
The immediate reaction of the American people has been to refuse to be demoralized and we are acting upon our natural instinct to fear the unknown. Whatever we may discover in the days to come, I am confident that we can and will come together in united efforts to show those who believe we are a weak nation that America is still strong. Our form of government has survived for these many generations because we are truly believers in the rule of law and the power of the people to overcome adversity. Those who think they can terrorize us will learn that our strength is the belief in our true purpose, to continue our self-government under the law and our refusal to let anyone frighten us into abandoning those basic rights that were written so long ago. That Bill of Rights is a constant reminder to the have-nots in the world that America does offer opportunity.