Orlando shooting not deadliest in history

This letter is in response to Ms. Kelley’s Opinion page column. First I would like to correct Ms. Kelley in her statement, “The saddest part of the deadliest mass shooting in United States history is that the gunman, Omar Mateen, hated himself more than he hated those he killed or injured.”

Ms. Kelley I believe a history lesson is in order. In 1890, between 150-200 Americans were killed in a place by the name of Wounded Knee. This occurred in South Dakota and the majority of those killed were women and children. In 1870, the Marias/Baker/Piegan Massacre occurred in Montana resulting in approximately 200 Americans losing their life; 50 of the victims were young children.

There are several more examples throughout Unites States’ history where many more were killed than in Orlando, Fla.   

Mateen was a radical Muslim. These are the same people that have been decapitating people throughout the world; killing thousands of non-believers, killing homosexuals, blowing up innocent people and committing unspeakable acts of torture. These people do not hate themselves, they believe they are martyrs and will not stop until they succeed in their cause.

I am curious where you get your information as to how Mateen hated himself more than those he shot. Have you studied radical Islam? Have you been in combat with these individuals? These individuals hate Westerners in all shape or form and will do everything in their power to kill us. 

Let us call what happened in Orlando, Fla. exactly what it was, a terrorist act by a radical Muslim. The same people we have been fighting since the 1960s. These same radicals have spent the last 50 years hijacking planes, taking hostages, torturing/killing people and using bombs to kill innocent people.

I will leave you with one last thought. Our flags are supposed to be lowered half staff to honor the victims of the shooting. How come they are not lowered when we lose one of our Marines/Soldiers/Seaman/Airmen overseas fighting these radicals that want to come here and kill us? We lost three men in Iraq just in May 2016: GM McQuagge, Connor Alan, US Navy; 1st Lt. Bauders, David A., US Army; SWO 1st Class Keating IV, Charles H., US Navy. Were your flags lowered for any of them?