The tragic nightclub shooting that killed at least 50 people in Orlando over the weekend is still difficult to process, let alone put into words.
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But John Oliver did so perfectly on Sunday’s episode of Last Week Tonight, addressing the shooting at the start of his show without jokes or gimmicks.
“Before we start the show tonight, I would like to quickly address the tragic events in Orlando,” he began. “As I’m sure you know by now, at least 50 people were killed by a gunman at a gay nightclub in what has been described as a terrorist attack. Look, it’s still early, and details are still emerging, and right now, this just hurts.”
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He continued, “And the worst thing is, this pain is so familiar. In Paris last November, terrorists seemed to target places symbolizing everything that is wonderful about France: culture, music, restaurants. And in Orlando early this morning, the gunman attacked a Latin night at a gay club in the theme park capitol of the world. And for the record, I will happily embrace a Latin night at a gay club in the theme park capitol of the world as the ultimate symbol of what is truly great about America.”
But Last Week Tonight wouldn’t be what it is without some of Oliver’s trademark optimism. Though he thankfully didn’t make any jokes about the shooting in Orlando, he did show a video that will help restore your faith in humanity. Shot by writer Steve Helling and posted to Facebook, the clip shows hundreds of people lined up in Orlando, waiting to donate blood for the more than 50 injured victims of the attack.
There are more than 600 people in line waiting to donate blood for the victims of the #OrlandoShootingpic.twitter.com/SJ2q4YVJTh
— Steve Helling (@stevehelling) June 12, 2016
“Right now, when some dipshit terrorist wants us to focus on one man’s act of brutality and hatred, it might be worth seeing this video,” Oliver said. “It kind of reminds you that that terrorist dipshit is vastly, vastly outnumbered.”
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We couldn’t possibly have said it better.
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