This is true, and overwhelmingly important, whatever the motives of the gunman turn out to be when they have been thoroughly investigated. But this kind of freedom is also what the attack, and the possible reactions to it, must tend to damage. It is a general freedom for every kind of American: LGBT as well as straight, Muslim, atheist and Christian. It is one of the tasks of leadership to minimise the damage that the attacks can do to wider society. But while the police and the FBI go about their work of unpicking the background to the atrocity, responsible politicians need to show calm and resolution.

Source: The Guardian June 12, 2016 18:45 UTC