President Obama Offers Eulogy For Reverend Pinckney

President Obama says last week's deadly shooting spree in South Carolina has opened a lot of eyes to racial injustice and gun violence. Obama delivered the eulogy for one of the nine victims of the shooting in an historic black church in Charleston. He said the nation has been "blind to the unique mayhem that gun violence inflicts" for too long. He also argued that the U.S. cannot "slip back into comfortable silence" about racism. A lone white gunman is accused of killing the nine African Americans. Obama said the alleged shooter was blinded by hate.

The President noted efforts to remove the Confederate flag from the South Carolina state Capitol. Obama called the flag a painful reminder of systemic repression for too many people. He stressed that removing the flag would be a modest but meaningful balm for old wounds. Obama said, "By taking down that flag, we express God's grace." The President also led mourners in a chorus of "Amazing Grace."

Reverend Clementa Pinckney was one of the nine victims. The President called him a good and gracious man who was full of empathy. He said Pinckney believed he could help others find better lives. Reverend Pinckney was also a South Carolina state legislator. Obama called all nine victims decent people who were full of life and kindness. He told the victims' families, "The nation shares in your grief."

Dylann Roof is accused of carrying out the murderous shooting spree at the Emanuel AME Church. The Justice Department is considering whether to charge the 21-year old man with committing federal hate crimes.  (Metro Networks Inc.)