Sikh Temple Shooting - 10 Years Ago

I've ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff today to mark the 10th anniversary of the Oak Creek Sikh Temple Shooting.

My full statement on this anniversary ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ON6WOXILg9

— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) August 5, 2022

Sikh Temple Shooting, Oak Creek - 9 Years Later

An important historical note for Sikhs to remember in relation to the 2012 Oak Creek, WI mass shooting is that President Obama did not personally visit the victims as he did after other attacks. While Michelle Obama visited Oak Creek some weeks later, this was an exception.

— American Turban (@americanturban) August 6, 2021

Reeling from these attacks, US Sikhs invested heavily into demonstrating ourselves as a model US minority. But, a lesson to learn is that even our victims were somehow not considered good enough to those we consider allies. This has gone unaddressed in the nine years since.

— American Turban (@americanturban) August 6, 2021

It was perhaps difficult for US Sikhs to foresee at the time. The Oak Creek mass shooting was unprecedented for US Sikhs and we were inexperienced.

But, we have some experience now and it would behoove us to assess where we are today as a result of the aftermath of Oak Creek.

— American Turban (@americanturban) August 6, 2021

This horrific attack was such a shock to those in the Oak Creek area. All these years later, it's certainly not forgotten.

But, it's true that those in power dismissed it quickly then. Apparently, being a "model US minority" is not rewarded by the powerful. Apparently, there's no political gain in addressing the concerns of these successful, hard-working, loyal Americans.

The treatment of the U.S. Sikh community deserves consideration.

Obama: SOTU Lies

Obama: "Nothing I'm proposing tonight should increase our deficit by a single dime." #SOTU
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 13, 2013

That is SO ridiculous!

Taxpayer-funded preschool for ALL?

That's a great idea!



Terrific.

I have to switch back to Adult Swim. I can't stomach this.

By the way, women working at the White House make less than men. Clean your own house first, Mr. President. #sotUGottaBKiddingMe
— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) February 13, 2013

And what do we hear from the Left regarding this inequity? Crickets.

Afghanistan’s gonna need a helluva Violence Against Women Act after we leave #SOTU
— Andy Levy (@andylevy) February 13, 2013

Fantastic point.

And the gun control portion of the address:

A gun killed a girl.

I didn't realize that an inanimate object could do that.

Obama's BS that the families of Newtown and Oak Creek, etc. deserve a vote makes me sick.

The 55 million individuals killed with the consent of their mothers through abortion deserve a vote. What about them?

Obama said, "What I’ve said tonight matters little if we don’t come together to protect our most precious resource – our children."

Hypocrite.


Bottom line: What Obama said tonight matters little. He's right on that count.

Sikhs and Michelle Obama

It was Sunday morning, August 5th, when a man opened fire at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, killing six and critically injuring three innocents, including an Oak Creek police officer.

That was over two weeks ago.

Although Eric Holder attended the memorial service for the victims on August 10th, some in the community feel his presence was an inadequate response from the Obama administration.

On Thursday, Michelle Obama will be visiting southeast Wisconsin and paying her respects to the Sikhs, nearly three weeks after the horrific shooting, and nearly two weeks after Mitt Romney selected Wisconsin's Paul Ryan to be his VP running mate, and after polls show Wisconsin is going to be tougher for Obama to win in November.

Note: Paul Ryan attended the memorial on August 10th.

According to FOX6, news of Michelle Obama's visit received mixed reaction.

Video.

The White House confirmed Sunday First Lady Michelle Obama is coming to Southeast Wisconsin. She will visit Thursday to visit family members of the six people killed in the Aug. 5 shooting at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin.

Many worshipers said Sunday it meant a lot to hear the First Lady was coming.

“It was just heart-warming she’s able to come out and show her support for our community and what happened,” said Mandeep Ahuja.

Others also appreciated the gesture but wondered why it took two weeks for someone from the White House to visit. Attorney General Eric Holder attended the public memorial service whereas President Obama visited Aurora, Colorado himself.

“It’s not just us,” said Kanwardeep Singh Kaleka, “There are mosques that have been burned down and there’s a lot of people I think who’ve been affected by some level of terrorism that haven’t really received the full support of the government.”

Everyone in the temple was unanimous in their praise for the Oak Creek community and particularly, injured police lieutenant Brian Murphy. Worshipers signed a ‘Welcome Home’ banner for him in the temple’s lobby.

I'm sure Michelle Obama will be welcomed warmly by the Sikh community.

At least someone from the White House is coming in the wake of the terror.

Better late than never.

Too bad Obama himself won't make room in his busy fundraising schedule to visit, address the community and comfort them.

It's all about priorities.

Robert Gibbs: Obama and Transparency

UPDATE: Obama fields campaign, Syria questions, meets press after criticism

Way to go, Chris Wallace!
______________

On FOX News Sunday yesterday, Chris Wallace did not go easy on Obama hack, Robert Gibbs.

Wallace called Gibbs on Obama's lack of transparency, his failure to release documents on Fast and Furious, and his failure to take questions from the press, holding only one news conference at the White House in 2012.

An Entertainment Tonight interview doesn't count as taking questions from the press. Local TV interviews aren't exactly tough. Nonetheless, Gibbs wants us to believe Obama has been accessible.

Gibbs brags that Obama took ONE question from the press, related to the shooting at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin.

He sounds like a fool.



Gibbs was a terrible press secretary. He's a terrible campaign senior adviser.

And Obama has not kept his promise to the American people regarding transparency.

Family Research Council Shooting

Obama's response to the shooting at the Family Research Council is shameful.

Why did it take hours and hours for the White House to react to the violence?

I guess if Obama had a son, he wouldn't look like a security guard at the Family Research Council.

Authorities quickly treated the shooting at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin a case of domestic terrorism. The media and politicians jumped on that aspect of the crime that left six innocents dead and three critically injured.

When it comes to the shooting at the conservative Family Research Council, however, the domestic terrorism label is being downplayed.

Actually, the entire incident is being downplayed.

From The PJ Tatler:

It took him about four hours, but the president finally said “violence has no place in our society” to the press pool this afternoon.

That's it?

Obama's response is steeped in political posturing. He doesn't want to appear too concerned about anyone connected with the FRC.

Absolutely sickening.

From WJLA:

Floyd Corkins II, 28, of Virginia is accused of shooting a security guard at the Family Research Council after criticizing the group's anti-gay stance, a source tells ABC7.

The shooting took place at 801 G Street, about a block west of the Verizon Center.

Sources say Corkins walked into the Family Research Council and said “It’s not about you, it’s about the policy,” and then shot the guard.

The guard, who was shot in the shoulder, was conscious and breathing after the incident.

The suspect was taken into custody by the FBI and was being interviewed. Authorities later found his vehicle at the East Falls Church Metro station.

Corkins had been volunteering for about the past six months at The DC Center for the LGBT Community, said David Mariner, executive director of the community center, which is in Northwest Washington. He usually staffed the center's front desk on Saturdays, and his most recent shift was about two weeks ago.

"He always struck me as a kind, gentle and unassuming young man. I'm very surprised that he could be involved in something like this," Mariner said.

Though authorities did not publicly reveal a motive, advocacy groups across the ideological spectrum condemned the violence, with some casting it as a hate crime.

"Today's attack is the clearest sign we've seen that labeling pro-marriage groups as 'hateful' must end," Brian Brown, the president of the National Organization for Marriage, said in a statement.

Good Lord, if someone connected to a conservative organization shot someone at a Left-wing organization because of the group's policies, the incident would be the lead story for days.

Obama would be saying much more than "violence has no place in our society."

If a Tea Party participant shot up the DC Center for the LGBT Community, there would be massive outrage. Brian Ross would have a field day.

But because Floyd Lee Corkins II, a volunteer at the DC Center for the LGBT Community, shot a man at the Family Research Council, there's no national outcry echoed in an endless loop by the Leftist media.

Just crickets.

I think it's time for Obama and Biden and the rest of the fringe Leftist Democrats to start acting responsibly and quit sowing the seeds of hate and division.

They need to realize the impact of their inexcusable, inflammatory, irresponsible rhetoric.

Another thing--

Where are all the gun control activists?

Why aren't they demanding action in response to the shooting by Floyd Lee Corkins II?

Why are they silent now?

Hypocrites.
_________________

UPDATE: Leo Johnson, the man shot by Floyd Corkins II, is NOT a security guard for the FRC. He's a staff member and was unarmed.

Here's a press release on Johnson's condition:

Family Research Council (FRC) President Tony Perkins released the following statement on the recovery progress of long-time FRC staff member Leo Johnson who was shot on Wednesday inside the lobby of FRC's headquarters:

"We are grateful for the outpouring of prayers and well-wishes for Leo as well as the entire FRC team who have been affected by this attack. It will take time, but he will be back with us soon, for which we are all grateful.

"We remain in close contact with Leo and his family. Leo asked that we express his appreciation for everyone's prayers and support. He does not wish to make any further public statements for now and requested that the media respect his privacy as he focuses on healing and getting better," concluded Perkins.

Obama, Ramadan Dinner

On Friday, Obama hosted an Iftar dinner at the White House.

In his remarks at the event, Obama stressed the importance of religious liberty. He mentioned the shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek.

OBAMA: We’ve seen instances of mosques and synagogues, churches and temples being targeted. Tonight, our prayers, in particular, are with our friends and fellow Americans in the Sikh community. We mourn those who were senselessly murdered and injured in their place of worship. And while we may never fully understand what motivates such hatred, such violence, the perpetrators of such despicable acts must know that your twisted thinking is no match for the compassion and the goodness and the strength of our united American family.

So tonight, we declare with one voice that such violence has no place in the United States of America. The attack on Americans of any faith is an attack on the freedom of all Americans. (Applause.) No American should ever have to fear for their safety in their place of worship. And every American has the right to practice their faith both openly and freely, and as they choose.

That is not just an American right; it is a universal human right. And we will defend the freedom of religion, here at home and around the world. And as we do, we’ll draw on the strength and example of our interfaith community, including the leaders who are here tonight.

Obama is right when he calls the violence at the Sikh temple "despicable acts."

I agree with him on that, of course.

However, it's truly sickening when Obama declares "every American has the right to practice their faith both openly and freely, and as they choose."

Obama claims "we will defend the freedom of religion, here at home and around the world."

What a load!

Obama is at war with Catholics.

He's not defending the freedom of religion here at home. To the contrary, he's attacking Catholics and stripping us of our precious freedom, endowed by our Creator, as he spits on the Bill of Rights.

Obama's words are empty when he shamelessly says "every American has the right to practice their faith both openly and freely, and as they choose."

His actions completely contradict his words.

Jesse Jackson, Community Meeting in Oak Creek

Jesse Jackson?

Jesse Jackson in Oak Creek at the community meeting held in response to Wade Page's murderous rampage?

Good grief.

This horrible event is being exploited.

From FOX6 News:

Community members gathered Thursday night, August 9th to talk about the Sikh Temple shootings that killed six and critically wounded three. Thursday night’s discussion was moderated by U.S. Attorney James Santelle, and Rev. Jesse Jackson attended, among other leaders.

Sikh community members say it hasn’t been uncommon for them to experience discrimination on a smaller scale. Leaders, Sikh community members and members of the Oak Creek community at large discussed Thursday what can be done to stop future attacks and discrimination.

...Those in attendance Thursday questioned how violence against Sikhs can be stopped. They say they’ve been victims of smaller attacks for years.

Reverend Jesse Jackson was on hand to provide support, as well as Representative Mark Honadel.

“I’m here to listen — to learn what the Sikh community concerns are,” Honadel said.

Balwant Singh Hansra says the Sikh faith values openness and that’s why he says some temples are open 24 hours. Now, he questions whether more needs to be done to protect Sikhs and whether police need to be involved.

“This tragic thing is forcing us to re-evaluate. We don’t want to change or sacrifice our principles, but we need to evaluate,” Hansra said.

...Members of the panel didn’t have the answers to every question, but the consensus among Sikhs seemed to be that they want more community-wide education about the Sikh customs and faith.

The sad truth is many groups experience discrimination and are victimized on a small scale.

What happened last Sunday was horrific. The loss was enormous, and the grief crushing.

Blame Wade Page, the cold-blooded murderer, for his unspeakable crimes. He chose to kill innocents.

No responsible citizen, no decent human being thinks what he did was acceptable.

The overwhelming majority of people in Oak Creek and the surrounding area show respect for Sikhs. There's been an outpouring of sympathy, concern, and support for the Sikh community.

It's not fair to cast aspersions on the southeastern Wisconsin community as a whole, suggesting that intolerance is a problem.

I'm not saying the meeting on Thursday was unnecessary. I think it's great to learn about others' faiths. It's great for members of different faiths to come together, with mutual respect.

I just think we need some perspective. What Page did was not sanctioned by our community. His actions were evil, and thankfully, extremely rare. Our society doesn't accept such behavior.

We don't need Jesse Jackson here.

Must this become a politicized media circus?

When is Gloria Allred going to show up?

I don't like the exploitation.

Video, from FOX6 News:

Eric Holder, Oak Creek

Why is Eric Holder showing up at the memorial service for the victims of the shootings at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek?

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will speak at Friday's memorial service for the victims of the shooting at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin.

Six people were killed and four were wounded during the Sunday attack before the gunman shot himself in the head.

The service will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. in the gymnasium of Oak Creek High School, 340 E. Puetz Road.

I'm uncomfortable with Obama sending Holder.

Is this truly a memorial service or is it a political opportunity?

As Rahm Emanuel taught Obama, "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste." I suppose that's why Holder has been sent on this mission.

I wonder if Eric "Fast and Furious" Holder attended the service for slain border patrol agent Brian Terry.

I don't think so.

It's going to be very awkward if Holder talks about guns. It's going to be awkward no matter what he says.

Brian Ross, Wade Page, 'Right-Wing'

ABC's Brian Ross, of the "Jim Holmes Tea Party" disgrace, is staying true to form.

Although he's not accusing mass murderer Wade Michael Page of being a Tea Party activist, Ross is labeling Page as "Right-wing."

From Media Research Center:

ABC journalist Brian Ross, who on July 20 smeared the Tea Party as connected to a mass killing in Colorado, on Tuesday described the racist views of another shooter and his connection to Nazi, "right-wing" groups.

After explaining Wade Page's link to violent, bigoted groups, Good Morning America co-host George Stephanopoulos wondered how this murderer could have purchased a gun, Ross insisted that the FBI did not have "enough evidence to open a full field investigation because of his links to these right-wing, neo-Nazi groups."

Right-wing? Nazism, as some forget, is short for national socialism.

Here's video:



Ross has really lost it.

James Santelle, U.S. Attorney

The news conference this morning about the horrific shooting in Oak Creek, Wisconsin yesterday was greatly anticipated.

People wanted more information.

We got some, but we also were treated to a bizarre, political, self-serving speech from U.S. Attorney James Santelle.



He went on and on and on, and basically said NOTHING of significance.

He traveled to India. Did you know that? Yup, he did.

With all due respect, what a blowhard!

I don't know what the guy was trying to accomplish, but it seems he was eager to exploit what he knew was a national forum.

Embarrassing.

Wade Michael Page (Photos)

FOX6 News has photos of Wade Michael Page, alleged mass murderer at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek.

As you can see, the 40-year-old had a lot of tattoos. He was a musician. Barring some undisclosed mental illness, he was evil.

From ABC News:

Page was described by authorities today as an Army veteran who left the service with a general discharge following a "pattern of misconduct," including being AWOL and drunk while on duty. The terms of his discharge would not allow him to reenlist.

...Page, 40, served in the Army from April 1992 through October 1998, during which he was demoted from sergeant to specialist.

While in the Army Wade served in Ft. Bliss in Texas and at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina. Wade's job was as a Hawk missile system repairman, and he then became a psychological operations specialist, defense official confirmed to ABC news.

The ex-soldier is believed to be the gunman who opened fire on people at the Sikh temple around 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning and killed six people. The victims ranged in age from 39 to 84.

He also ambushed police Lt. Brian Murphy, shooting him eight or nine times, Edwards said. Murphy is expected to survive. Two other gunshot victims are in critical condition, police said.

Page was shot dead by police when he was ordered to drop his weapon and began firing at them instead.

Police have not given any details on the motive of the shooter, but Teresa Carlson, the FBI's special agent in charge, said today, "We are looking at ties to white supremacist groups."

Earlier, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco; Firearms Special Agent Thomas Ahern said Page had tattoos that suggested he had ties to white supremacists.

Page is fronted a white supremacist rock band called End Apathy, according to watchdog group the Southern Poverty Law Center.

SPLC also determined that in 2000, Page attempted to purchase goods from the neo-Nazi group the National Alliance, described as America's then "most important hate group."

In 2010, Page gave an interview to white-power website Label 56. Page wrote songs with titles like "Self Destruct" and "Usefull [sic] Idiots."

"The inspiration was based on frustration that we have the potential to accomplish so much more as individuals and a society in whole," Page told Label 56.

Apparently, Page was not affiliated with the Tea Party.

Brian Ross must be so disappointed.

Here's video from, ABC News:

Person of Interest - Sikh Temple Shooting

UPDATE: 'Person of interest' ruled out as suspect

A “person of interest” sought by investigators in connection with the shooting Sunday at a Sikh temple here has been identified and ruled out as a suspect, an FBI spokesman said.

Leonard Peace of the FBI said the man, whom he declined to identify, “has been located, interviewed and ruled out in connection with the investigation.”

______________

Have you seen this man?

Police are looking for him, a "person of interest" in connection with the shooting at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin.



From WISN:

The FBI Monday identified a person of interest that is being sought in connection with Sunday's shooting at an Oak Creek temple.

Special Agent Teresa Carlson of the FBI showed a photo of the man and asked anyone with information regarding his identity to call 800-CALL-FBI.

Authorities said the man was identified as being at the scene after the shooting, but left the scene before authorities could question him.

Officials said they are confident that the shooter killed at the scene, identified as Wade Michael Page, was the lone shooter in the incident.

Authorities reiterated that their investigation leads them to believe Page was the only person involved in the shooting. The person in the photograph is only wanted for questioning and has not been identified to have been involved.

Sikh Temple Shooting (Video)

Disbelief.

It's unreal that the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek was the site of a mass shooting.

This sort of thing doesn't happen here, not on Howell Avenue, not across from Classic Lanes.

A mass murderer doesn't live in Cudahy.

It's shocking. It's terrifying. It's heartbreaking.

From FOX News:

Seven people, including a gunman, were killed in a shooting at a Sikh temple near Milwaukee Sunday in what police say is being treated as an act of domestic terrorism.

Authorities including the FBI, the ATF, the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department and Cudahy police are now searching a house in Cudahy, Wis., believed to be linked to the suspect, WITI's Brandon Cruz reports.

A source close to the case told Fox News that the suspect is a white male in his 40s who is a former military member.

Prior to starting the search at the 3700 block of Holmes Ave., police asked two blocks of residents to leave the area or remain indoors. FBI agents are there with an armored truck, a trailer and other vehicles. Other law enforcement officers are there too, along with a police dog.

...At a news conference late Sunday afternoon, Edwards released no information about the suspect, including his identity or a possible motive.

But at the scene of the home search, Kurt Weins, a Cudahy resident, told the Journal Sentinel he rented out the upper flat of the duplex to a man in his 40s.

"I had him checked out and he definitely checked out," Weins told the newspaper. "The cops told me they don't want me to say nothing right now."

Authorities were using a bucket truck to peek into the windows of the property Sunday evening.

The Los Angeles Times is reporting some details about the shooter.

Tattoos on the body of the slain Sikh temple gunman and certain biographical details led the FBI to treat the attack at a Milwaukee-area temple as an act of domestic terrorism, officials said Sunday.

The shootings in Oak Creek, Wis., left seven dead, including the gunman, and three critically wounded. One of the injured was a police officer who was expected to survive.

A federal official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media refused to say whether the gunman was thought to belong to a hate group or some other violent group because the investigation was still unfolding.

...Federal officials cautioned against thinking that a concrete link to a domestic terrorism group or hate group had been established.

“The investigation will have to continue to see and determine the motive,” said a federal law enforcement official who had been briefed on the early planning for the case. “We don’t know much about the motive at this point.”

Oak Creek police declined to identify the gunman or outline a possible motive.

The designation of “domestic terrorism” under the FBI’s rubric — which was not applied to the Aurora, Colo., theater shooting — implies a political agenda. The FBI defines terrorism as “the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.”

So the carnage at the movie theater in Aurora was different from the bloodshed at the Sikh Temple.

The shooter in Oak Creek was a domestic terrorist.

The shooter in Aurora was not.

I think when an individual chooses to go into a public place and gun down as many people as possible it's terror.

I understand the political objective element and the significance. Bill Ayers, for example, is a proud domestic terrorist.

But the loss of life from the violence, the pain and the fear that accompany the senseless killing, are indistinguishable.


Video, from ABC News and FOX News:






__________________

It was over seven years ago that Terry Ratzmann opened fire during a church service in Brookfield, killing seven people before killing himself.

Ratzmann was a disgruntled church member, not a terrorist.

Sikh Temple Shooting - Oak Creek

It's a beautiful, picture perfect day in southeastern Wisconsin.

The Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, just south of General Mitchell International Airport on Howell Avenue, was the site of a mass shooting.

Greenfield Police Chief Bradley Wentlandt says an officer to first arrive on the scene confronted the shooter outside the temple, and was shot several times. The officer is in surgery at Froedtert.

Wentlandt says several rounds were exchanged. The shooter is dead.

At present, four are reported killed inside the temple. Three are reported dead outside the temple, including the shooter.

This is horrifying.

Praying for the victims and their loved ones.