President Obama sent his condolences, but not much more, regarding the death of Australian visitor Christopher Lane, a baseball player shot and killed by three American teens who were “bored” and “decided to kill somebody.” The president, who has been vocal on gun issues from Aurora to Sandy Hook, and who has spoken out a few times regarding the untimely death of Trayvon Martin, who he wholly identified with — “Trayvon could have been me” — nevertheless hasn’t said much regarding the death of Lane.
Meanwhile, former deputy prime minister of Australia Tim Fischer is calling for a boycott of the United States to travelers till they get their gun control problem in order. This is the sort of thing a busy president could readily overlook, but it was brought to his attention by conservatives who urged him to say something nice for the deceased. “It would be a nice gesture for him,” said Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, who later, upon hearing the president had sent condolences, was pleased.
A statement appeared and was printed in Australia’s Herald Sun; it came through White House spokesman Matt Lehrich:
“As the president has expressed on too many tragic occasions, there is an extra measure of evil in an act of violence that cuts a young life short. The president and first lady’s thoughts and prayers are with Chris Lane’s family and friends in these trying times.”
Well, it’s better than nothing, perhaps.
Meanwhile, District Attorney Jason Hicks is pursuing an investigation into 15-year-old James Edwards, Jr., and 16-year-old Chancey Luna, who will be tried as adults, along with Michael Dewayne Jones 17, who acted as a getaway vehicle driver. The youths were “Bored and just wanted to see somebody die.” Hicks, however, is not pursuing it as a hate crime, despite that Lane was white, saying that there is nothing “that would lead us to believe that Christopher Lane was killed simply because of his nationality, or because of his race.”
In fact, as the athlete was simply jogging, and shot from behind, it seems in fact he was killed for nothing at all.