
Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama said Friday that flags at the White House and other federal buildings will be flown at half staff until Veterans Day in recognition of the shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.
"This is a modest tribute to those who lost their lives even as many were preparing to risk their lives for their country," he said at the White House.
"It's also a recognition of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect our safety and uphold our values."
Full coverage: Fort Hood shootings
Obama said he met Friday morning with FBI Director Robert Mueller and other federal agency heads to discuss the ongoing investigation into the massacre.
"We don't know all of the answers yet, and I would caution against jumping to conclusions until we have all of the facts," he said.
The alleged shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a psychiatrist who worked in a hospital at Fort Hood, is blamed for the deaths of 12 soldiers and one civilian, military officials said.
Another 30 people were wounded; 28 of them required hospitalization.


How about a shout out B.O with a few smile's and chuckle's next time something tragic happen's in your family. Stay classy.
How about lowering the flag for all the American troops that are being killed while our president continues to seek out photo opp's each and EVERY day..????
Yes, and he said that no one should jump to conclusions and blame anyone for acting stupidly.
Alah Akbar.
Obama is not Akbar.
Can anyone tell me why Robert Gibbs was joking around and laughing with reporters in his press briefing today? It seemed entirely disrespectful and quite bizarre considering the terrorist attack by a Muslim extremist at Ft. Hood yesterday and how many of our American military and their families are grieving today. I guess we should just accept that this is a different kind of administration with a new and troubling attitude toward our country. So very sad.
When Obama first spoke about this yesterday, he thought it was appropriate to first make some light-hearted comments and give a "shout-out" to his new Indian pals.
This guy is an idiot and doesn't take his responsibility as commander in chief as his highest priority. That, in a nutshell, is the difference between democrats and Republicans. It's a disgrace.
My Name is Kevin Caldera from gordon central university in calhoun georgia. and i think the health reform is STUPID.
Good decision Mr. President. As an active duty military member, I can say that this is a isolated incident. Our diverse military has numerous Muslims serving faithfully for our nation. Collect all the evidence prior to making a determination of events. Of course we will have the hate mongers (the crazy Republicans) causing chaos. Oh yeah, eventually President Obama will be linked to the psychiatrist. LOL
Obama said he met Friday morning with FBI Director Robert Mueller and other federal agency heads to discuss the ongoing investigation into the massacre.
"We don't know all of the answers yet, and I would caution against jumping to conclusions until we have all of the facts," he said.
Probably how you should have handled the Skip Gates thing heh Mr. President? Somehow saying "the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home" ...doesn't come off as having all the facts.
Forgive the low brows and inbreds of this country (wow...nice tone from a Dominican) for jumping to conclusions. If it's good enough for the President (over a hot headed professor) it's good enough for me when US Military personnel are killed.
Well it's about time he makes a coherant statement of any kind. His light-hearted remarks @ yesterday's presser were so inappropriate and out-of-place regarding the seriousness of the situation.
No one is going to believe this was a crazed man acting out his own frustration. This is NO DIFFERENT from anyone going POSTAL and killing many coworkers!!!
BUT – as the MEDIA dig and TWIST and BEND the truth just a "little" to make the news more exciting, every Muslim in America is going to be harassed and/or looked at differently! CASE in POINT!! It would be the narrow-minded thinkers NOT thinking at all and indulging into here-say without finding out the FACTS!!!
My thoughts and prayers are with those brave men and women and their families.
i agree, i am in the us army and work with Muslims daily. I pray people do not overreact and blame an entire ethnic religion for this man's decision. May God bless my brothers and sisters and may you all recover well.
Given what we're starting to here about comments this Major made prior to this killing spree you have to wonder if we were living in Obama's American of hyper sensitive political correctness if someone would have wondered what the heck was going on with this guy before this shooting spree! Its futile to place blame in situations like these, and the investigation may give us more information, but you have to wonder?
The words of an intelligent president. Thank you Mr. Obama.
I guess all the islamists who yell "Allahu Akbar" before detonating themselves and the surrounding innocent people just "snapped" as well.
He was not very sad when he spoke yesterday about the shooting. I am sure he was upset a fellow muslin had committed the terrorist attack.....and that was a terrorist attack. The first since 9-11. Our President is a Muslin and a socialist....plain and simple
lowering not the solution, find the root cause, and eradicate....
These people should be honored today.
AND, as long as HATE keeps spreading from right-wing frings groups tragedies like this will continue.
This is why our President is taking his time weighing the cost of sending more troops to Afghanistan. Politics aside, the cost of human life is inmeasurable. It's easy to sit on the sidelines and second guest or judge.
we must stay alert and watch out for wierd signs in people
tella tell marks
War is a terrible thing, although there are many who have never experienced it firsthand that would glamourize it. Those who would start them are quick to try and proudly proclaim themselves to be the "war president" and jet in like a knight in shining armour and announce victory.
For those "brave' enough to serve in combat it is not that glamourous. Many scars are left and this gentlemen had the job of trying to heal them. Can you begin to imagine the countless and endless stories he had to hear and try and provide help to these individuals? At the end of the end it has to be pretty depressing and who is there to provide care to the caregivers?
While this is indeed a tragic event and my prayers are with all involved, lets try and put all of this in realistic perspective and perhaps think a little bit longer before we play "cowboy" in starting wars and think about the long term consequences.
If Obama had guts he'd put a mushroom cloud over all those countries that are simply stalling, hate us or are worthless.
What is a fricking Arab doing in the military? All muslims, good or bad have an agenda.
We need to rid the country of illegal immigrants, muslims and anyone who voted to elect a President in their country and now runs to ours.
It is bad enough you all chose this monkey for president, let's wait these 4 years, deal with the mess he'll leave behind and test those eligible to vote to see if they're even qualify to do so.
God Bless America, but let's be frank, we are dommed.
I'm writing this to you, CNN filter, you are not going to post my comment because you are a liberal and do not agree with any of my words. But still, I write them so that you dream with them, loser!
Let's do what is good for all soldiers at Fort Hood and around the world fighting. Let's think positive and not let a last name be your negative guide to crime.
way to support the shooter number 1
Like Obama cares. What a moron. go have your picture taken with their caskets to show how much you "care" Odum@@$