Can’t we recognize domestic terrorism?
I’ve never felt that the media, or much of it, and the nation’s leaders have grown more remote from the men and women who keep this nation free than I did in listening to and in scanning news accounts of the act of domestic terrorism at Ft. Hood.
Among the first accounts I heard or read focused on jihadist Nidal M. Hasan as victim, a poor troubled soul driven to commit mass murder because he’d been taunted by insensitive non-Muslims because of his Muslim name. And, too, there was the presumption that he had been driven over the edge because of “post-traumatic stress syndrome,” though it must have been the post-traumatic stress of others he’d counseled, since as a psychiatrist he was never in combat. And, finally, it was that he opposed the war and the mean old military authorities were making him go to a war zone anyway. The implied story here was that an unpopular war makes rational men of good conscience flip out and do really bad things. It’s not their fault.
President Barack Obama later reinforced that feeling of disconnect when talking about the “valiant” men and women who had been killed at Ft. Hood. Obama’s choice of words has indicated before that he has no clue what valor is and what heroes are and when to apply the terms to actions by men and women in uniform. They were victims of domestic terrorism, just as the office-workers in the World Trade Center were victims. Going about their normal course of business in a setting previously believed to be safe and secure does not make them valiant.
Opinion leaders have been conditioned to believe that bad things happen because bullies and other insensitive louts drive the weak to acts of extremism — and it is, therefore, not their fault. Victimhood has become a status symbol, perhaps the status symbol of choice for the successful. Those who overcome victimhood to achieve are the super-achievers and the most admired. Those who can’t overcome it, and therefore commit acts of extreme violence, are to be pitied and protected from those of us who want them punished appropriately, which in the case of Nidal Hassan would be the death penalty.
Hassan gave off ample evidence of his drift toward extremism, but nobody paid proper attention because to do so would have invited others to question whether they were, like those bad others, singling him out because of his name and religion.
I’ve always thought the U.S. should have a military draft. It exposes future leaders to men and women in uniform and gives them a better understanding of who they are and what they endure for our freedoms. I’ve never thought that more strongly than now.
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118 comments Add your comment
barneyb
November 10th, 2009
7:42 am
Amen, Jim! Either someone was asleep at the wheel on this one, or political correctness got all those brave military personnel killed. Either way, we should all be outraged and fed up.
My personal Lord and Saviour, Rush Limbaugh
November 10th, 2009
7:44 am
Purge the military of Muslims,gangbangers, and fundamentalist christians also.
This guy was a sicko but the fearmongering victims of the right want to pretend like this was some well planned al quaeda attack when it is nothing more than a nut on a shooting spree. something we see weekly in america, the only difference was he was on a army base and a muslim.
if he was a white christian male from rural america we would wonder why he snapped, or blame it on some personal aspect of his life like finances or marriage.
stop being hypocritical wingnuts. I know its hard since its ingrained in you.
Arthur Thompson
November 10th, 2009
7:45 am
The recent reveal that shooter went to church where 2 of the 9/11 assassins attended, his communication with radicals in the mid east and the government having already tracked and dropped their inquisition on this monster show how poorly we are protected domestically. Since this shooting 5 other national stories in South Carolina, St Louis Mo, Orlando Florida and metro Atlanta have left 10 dead and 20 injured.
Our government leaders who are protected and have never known combat can never understand the atrocities coming into our country . The current pacivist and weak leaders now in Washington open arm the illegals and than cry what a tragedy when our men women and children are slaughtered!!
God bless the vets on 11/11/09 and curse the people who have allowed this top happen!
You must be omniscient Jim
November 10th, 2009
7:46 am
Maybe you should simply stick to facts and see what turns up. You are the problem with the media Jim. You are jumping to a conclusion about what caused this guy to shoot other soldiers. There is NOTHING released yet that supports your typical right wing fear mongering view of this incident. Grow up and find out the facts instead of breeding other ignorant fear mongers.
kayaker 71
November 10th, 2009
7:47 am
It appears that there was ample evidence prior to the shootings that this guy was some kind of nut case Muslim. Political correctness prevailed and he was allowed to continue until he finally cracked and killed a lot of innocent people. Bookman cautioned on his blog yesterday that we should maintain some respect for this animal and should show a modicum of respect for his religion. As each incident happens and more Americans are killed by Muslim males, that is getting harder and harder to do.
PHYLLIS ASHLEY-DECKEER
November 10th, 2009
7:49 am
STRING HIM UP TO THE NEAREST TREE FOR HIS CRIMES. THIS MAN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO LIVE. HOPEFULLY THE MILITARY CHIEFS WON’T SCREW THIS UP.
I ALSO BELIEVE THE AMERICAN FLAG SHOULD FLY HALF MAST DURING THE WAR FOR ALL SERVICE PERSONAL WHO HAVE OR WILL LOSE THEIR LIVES. NOT JUST FOR THE 13 WHO LOST LIVES AT FORT HOOD.
Road Scholar
November 10th, 2009
7:53 am
“I’ve always though the U.S. should have a military draft. ”
Jim, shouldn’t that be: I’ve always thoughT the U.S. should have a military draft. ? I agree with your statement;either a military or community service track. Also, if a high school student won’t go to school, and get acceptible grades, they should be placed in the military to get some discipline. Get them off the streets, where they can’t do anything but get into trouble.They have options and they decide what their future holds.
Please notice that I didn’t take the cheap shot and say you never have thought…but I guess I just did!
Dia
November 10th, 2009
7:59 am
This was an act of domestic terrorism and no one should make excuses
for it contrary to what it was – one man striking out at innocent
people to make a point. If he was that tormented, why didn’t he just
end his own life and spare the heartache he purposely inflicted on others? Time to reevaluate the requirements for entrance into the service.
service.
rtjonesjr
November 10th, 2009
7:59 am
Militant muslims seek the destruction of the western world. Don’t put them in places where they can have an impact, and if you find them there, remove them. Anyone who can read now knows why this guy was as obvious as a sinkhole in being a potential problem. If we had ardently protected the Ku Klux Klan as a harmless sect, the way we now protect militant muslims, we would never have progressed,
clyde
November 10th, 2009
8:01 am
The soldiers are the victims of a terrorist allowed to exist because of political correctiveness.People did not dare to speakout against this man for fear of being repremanded for harrassing Muslims.Now the powers that be are trying out different defenses to see which one will fly the best with the public.It was something like associative post traumatic syndrome,Jim.There will be other defenses put forward.
My admiration to the lady cop,who,while under fire assessed the situation and responded with valor.That what valor’s all about in this situation.But for her who knows how many more would have died?
This was a cowardly attack by an armed assassin on a group of helpless soldiers,in a setting where they were not able to defend themselves and the assailant knew this and planned accordingly.That’s how simple this incident really is.
Chaps
November 10th, 2009
8:08 am
Not terrorism. What the jihadi did is properly called treason. Penalty, in time of war, death. But that will never happen. The way the state-controlled media is playing this, Hasan will come out with a promotion and medal.
Patrick Malone
November 10th, 2009
8:08 am
No more vivid example of “political correctness” trumping common sense. How quickly we forget the lessons of 9-11, the first WTC bombing, etc., etc.. A country that doesn’t remember the lessons of history is bound to repeat those lessons over and over again and then ask “what went wrong?” Even more disgusting is the “ass covering” that is starting now and will go on until we forget about this Islamic extremest
David S
November 10th, 2009
8:09 am
Involuntary servitude is slavery – but then conservatives, and obviously most of the current commentators – have no problems with immoral, unconstitutional, or illegal wars to prop up the empire’s false sense of status. Enslaving the entire male population to achieve this end is of little concern to those who know no better.
Why has it become necessary since 9-11 to treat everything as terrorism?
This guy snapped. He has heard too much about the horrors we are inflicting on the innocent peoples of Iraq and Afghanistan and did not want to have to be forced to kill innocent people on behalf of the Shell pipeline or the military industrial complex or worse to die for those causes and he made a poor choice of solutions to his problem.
It is so typical of this government and america since 9-11 to treat ourselves as the victims, rather than the provokers of the violence that is committed against us. We are the greatest terrorist nation on the planet at the moment and only a complete reassessment of our values and the true reasons and people behind our current wars will ever change that.
Labelling this an act of domestic terrorism may make you folks feel better, but it doesn’t change the facts, or the complicity in the destruction of our troops by our leaders as they wage an unwinnable and pointless war to make the middle east safe for Israel, the oil companies, and the military industrial complex.
Dan
November 10th, 2009
8:13 am
Domestic terroism clearly but more importantly treason. They should prop him up on the parade ground at Ft Hood and shoot him.
Lets hope this stays in the military courts and is not hijacked for political purposes
Ragnar Danneskjöld
November 10th, 2009
8:15 am
Good morning all. I have mixed thoughts on our host’s arguments. My hyper-distinction on language – the murderous targeting of our noble military is not “terrorism.” Terrorism is targeting a civilian population. When a soldier conducts such an attack on his fellow soldiers, the more appropriate term is “treason.,”
I fail to see how drafting all potential murderers into military service will improve the national weal. I much prefer the self-selecting system of the volunteer services, so that the military is not burdened with the duty of re-educating the failures of our school systems. I want a military that kills, and knows who to kill. I do not want the military charged with correcting the mis-teaching of our school systems.
dewstarpath
November 10th, 2009
8:16 am
- I agree with Chaps. This was a lone gunman – the Al-Quaeda
connection (if any) came after he decided to do this, according
to investigators. It falls under the charge and specification of
treason.
Dee
November 10th, 2009
8:16 am
This guy was a sicko but the fearmongering victims of the right want to pretend like this was some well planned al quaeda attack when it is nothing more than a nut on a shooting spree.
This was not an organized attack but it WAS an attack on the military by a Muslim extremist. To believe otherwise is to live life with your head stuck in the sand.
dewstarpath
November 10th, 2009
8:19 am
- I also agree with David S. If there were more than one shooter
(as initially reported), it would have been domestic terrorism. But
based on what’s been reported, it looks like the actions of a lone
gunman.
TRUTH
November 10th, 2009
8:20 am
Dang, Jim. This was a horrific event. It was shocking, it was tragic. Our hearts go out to the families of those heroes. The loss is unmeasurable. But stop making it appear that the entire Nation of Islam is at fault here. That rhetoric plays directly into the hands of the extremist that seek to harm ANYONE who is not with their ideals. You and your other Fearmongers are advancing that. To carelessly make statements that are speculative and not based in fact just furthers that fear. Did we you make statements like that when those soldiers were shot on the parade field at Ft. Bragg? Did you make statements like that when the plane went down in Nova Scotia killing those brave souls from the 101st Airborne? I have stated this before and will state it again, and every veteran who reads this will agree, the military is a cross section of our communities. It is the fabric of our nation that produces our heroes. There is NO WAY that you can know what a person is thinking other than outward action. The media (and YES, Jim, you are “The Media” as well), have reported that he had outward animus against the wars. He was a Muslim who was sympathetic to the Extremist. Him alone, Jim. Your foolish rant is doing nothing to advance peace and civility in our country by demonizing Muslims in general. It’s crazy and at the very base of what’s dividing our country. I wonder do you even read your own words.
It’s apprarent that most of you Nuts are trying to emulate your racially incendiary colleague, Rushbo/Beck/Hannity. The more hate you can spew, the better your ratings. At what cost, Jim? Those soldiers, something you and the majority of your readership, know that perils exists everywhere. Our oath is protect this nation from threats, BOTH foreign and domestic. Are you, a coward who never served, who hides behind this blog along with the other vermin who are equally cowardly, politicizing the deaths of these soldiers to advance your fear by projecting all that is wrong with Islam on the acts of a gunman who tragically murdered those soldiers who are fighting against his extreme beliefs? What will that gain us? I have seen the war, Jim. Up close and personal. I have seen my buddies sent home, either dead or maimed for life. That was inclusive of soldiers of middle eastern descent, Muslims, Buddhist, Catholics, Christians, and Southern Baptist. ALL serving together and protecting this country’s freedom. Our loss was great on this day, Jim. But let’s remember who the enemy is. What you’re doing from the armchair quarterback position is not patriotic. Last I looked, this country is free and we welcome those who have been oppressed. Unfortunately, this Major got into the ranks. He caused our nation harm. We prosecute and he goes to trial for the deaths of our soldiers. I hope he gets fair justice that results in his own demise. But I will not villify a people that I know do not carry that level of hatred in their hearts. You should be a little more responsible.
My personal Lord and Saviour, Rush Limbaugh
November 10th, 2009
8:22 am
As each incident happens and more Americans are killed by Muslim males, that is getting harder and harder to do…….YEAH ITS BETTER TO GET KILLED BY A CHRISTIAN MALE RIGHT
Joe
November 10th, 2009
8:29 am
Jim: “Maybe you should simply stick to facts and see what turns up. You are the problem with the media Jim. You are jumping to a conclusion about what caused this guy to shoot other soldiers”
Perhaps the only media you rely on is avoiding the facts that are surfacing, or perhaps you choose to remain ignorant of the facts as many of your ilk do. Can you refute any of the information in the article or are they invalid simply because you don’t want to hear them? There is plenty to indicate this terrorist’s intentions, and there will likely be more if we’re allowed to hear it.
Feel lucky that there are still people in this country that are willing to risk political incorrectness to call a situation what it is and deal with it, while you stick your head in the sand and ridicule them.
They will be the one’s that save your rear end one day, and perhaps that of the country as a whole over the longer term.
While our fallen are not likely playing with virgins right now, they are martyrs in the vernacular of our enemy. Martyrs that I hope will prove to strengthen our reserve rather than cause us to buckle further to the will of radical Islam. I hope their lives will not turn out to have been lost in vain.
If the writer is what’s wrong with the media, you sir, are what’s wrong with this country.
God bless America, the soldiers that lost their lives or were injured, and their families.
Corey
November 10th, 2009
8:32 am
Ban all organized religion. People, please learn the history of Christianity. If you do I doubt many of you will still show up every Sunday morning to be willingly indoctrinated(brainwashed).
dagwood bumstead
November 10th, 2009
8:33 am
Jim, if you feel the media is trying to justify this attack, you must be living in a different universe. I have seen none of that. I did hear some of what you speak of in the first hours after this, as people tried to come up with a motive for a senseless act of violence and as information was becoming available on the shooter. But I defy you to identify one person who claims that “an unjust war makes rational men of good conscience flip out…” Or at least, a person of some repute. Not Rush or Sean’s interpretation. There aren’t any, and you know it. You just want to fan the flames, and for that, you should be ashamed. But I know, you have no shame. This nut has been in the military since shortly after 9/11, so you can lay the blame at a lot of feet for missing the warning signs. But no one is justifying this, and you are just stirring the pot when it needs no stirring. Grow up.
Producer
November 10th, 2009
8:35 am
Of course it was an act of domestic radical Islamic inspired terrorism. Because of the cancer called political correctness, folks are scared to call it for what it is. its the greatest act of terrorism on American soil since 911. Try this guy in a military court and execute the SOB.
Southern Yankee
November 10th, 2009
8:40 am
I’ll let you call it domestic terrorism if you’ll let me call your column racist propaganda. Did we call all those poor postal workers who flipped out and shot their co-workers domestic terrorists?
Buzz G
November 10th, 2009
8:47 am
Everyone has been saying it is too bad that he lived. I disagree. It it wonderful that he has lived because if he had died it would be too easy for the press to forget about this thing. But a trial will re-focus the nation’s attention and we will again become aware that (1) his Muslim beliefs are not incidental but central to his actions and (2) that capital punishment is indeed proper at times. The politically correct press does not want us to focus on either of these two. Jim is more correct than he knows when he says that the press is “remote” from the American people. But they are more than remote. They are aggressively and intentionally trying to destroy the greatest nation on earth. And they have been quite successful at it.
DAVID
November 10th, 2009
8:53 am
Political Correctness has progressed from just being damn silly…to very DEADLY—thanks to liberalism…..LIBERALISM……..equals political correctness…….killed those troops.
DAVID
November 10th, 2009
8:53 am
Political Correctness has progressed from just being damn silly…to very DEADLY—thanks to liberalism…..LIBERALISM……..equals political correctness…….killed those troops.
Dan
November 10th, 2009
8:53 am
Corey I will see your Christian blame and raise you at leat 3 atheistic murderers, Mao, Stalin, Hitler (and we could go on) Sure organized religion has been used for much evil, but historically it pales in comparison to civilizations that forcefully compel atheism (or the illusion of it) and quite frankly as far as that goes atheism, deism etc are simply another form of religion.
DAVID
November 10th, 2009
8:57 am
ARMY did not miss RED flags……..Due to political correctness…ARMY ignored RED FLAGs….Army just flat ignored warning signs.
JLK
November 10th, 2009
8:58 am
“President Barack Obama later reinforced that feeling of disconnect when talking about the “valiant” men and women who had been killed at Ft. Hood. Obama’s choice of words has indicated before that he has no clue what valor is and what heroes are and when to apply the terms to actions by men and women in uniform.”
Ummmm….. Wha? What are you saying Mr. Wooten? That our men and women in uniform aren’t really valiant, or that President Obama is a jerk for saying they are? Is there a hidden insult in that word? How does calling them valiant reinforce a disconnect? Please explain.
Was the shooting “domestic terrosim?” Yes, just as surely as Whitey McVeigh’s bombing of a federal office building containing civilians and children, for some non-Muslim principle we never fully understood.
I don’t know what “NEWS” channel you’re watching, but I never heard any report staing Hasan was a poor troubled victim. I only heard some facts presented (i.e., he was taunted for his religion and his property was vandalized) in the discussion of events that led up to his decision to murder fellow soldiers. ARE YOU SAYING THE MEDIA SHOULD IGNORE FACTS? Are you saying there’s no such thing as post traumatic stress and soldier snappage in the US Armed Forces? Wow.. What “Journalism” school did you attend, again?
Shar
November 10th, 2009
9:01 am
Clyde, you are correct in saying “this was a cowardly attack by an armed assassin”, NOT a Muslim attack on the Western world. This was a man who was under extreme stress, NOT a jihadi. Hasan was carrying an enormous workload, was supervising and delivering mental health care for literally thousands of soldiers, who, having never experienced combat, listened daily to the worst and most traumatic experiences of an endless stream of soldiers in growing fear for himself, and who was deeply split on his moral obligations to his country versus those who share his religion. What he did was vicious and wrong, but it was not a religious or a political act. It was the violent explosion of a toxic mix of fear, stress, uncertainty and frustration. Whether to call it treason or just plain murder, and the appropriate punishment, I leave to Texan and military justice.
Meanwhile, at least as many people, and most likely more, were killed by the convicted rapist in Cleveland and left to rot in his basement, backyard and the upper stories of his house. Neighbors complained about the “smell like a dead body”, he was supposed to be checked by a probation officer regularly, and he was a known sex offender. Where is your call, Mr. Wooten, for mass pre-emptive jailing of every known sex offender? rtjonesjr, perhaps you would support targeting every person who has had a sexual thought and “remove them” before they have a chance to act. Arthur Johnson, many, many, many more people are killed by homegrown violence than by “atrocities coming into our country” – and, in fact, Hasan was born here. Maybe we should round up and isolate all returning soldiers, as their rate of domestic violence and spousal murder has spiked.
Mr. Wooten, your comments are irresponsible and reactionary. Hasan was not on a political jihad anymore than Cleveland’s Anthony Sowell was trying to eradicate women. They are both murderers, but they are not some preordained, immutable image of what all Muslim Americans or sex offenders aim to become. Tarring the rest of a group with whom they are identified with their own crimes is as stupid as saying that every husband should be locked up because about 2000 women a year are killed by domestic partners.
jconservative
November 10th, 2009
9:10 am
“I’ve always thought the U.S. should have a military draft.”
Ok Jim, you want a draft, Road Scholar sounds like he would support it, I will vote for it & Charlie Rangel will introduce the bill in Congress.
( That is quite a quartet isn’t it?)
Now all we need is 105 million of our fellow citizens to go along with the 4 of us and it is a done deal.
Jon but not Jon Voight
November 10th, 2009
9:17 am
Thanks for the dig at Obama Jim. Never pass up the chance. You’re right, domestic terrorism. Just like when that guy Timothy McVeigh did the same thing.
jt
November 10th, 2009
9:19 am
“I’ve always thought the U.S. should have a military draft. ”
A country that FORCES its citizens to fight for its existence,
is,
a country that isn’t worth fighting for.
Turnip head. (with all due respect).
Jacky Jack
November 10th, 2009
9:20 am
Draft? Are you kidding? Why? The last time we had the draft,people burned their draft cards, violent protests in the streets, and ran like stinking cowards to Canada and other places that would harbor their gutless bodies. Then Jimmy Carter pardoned all. They returned. They broke the law while others served and some died in their place. Now many of those cowards hold government jobs (post office, etc.) while many of the soldiers that served with honor go unemployed. So Jim, if we draft again and cowards refuse to answer the call (and they will), what will be their punishment? I believe Carter has already set the precedent!
Corey
November 10th, 2009
9:22 am
Dan, I’m not preaching atheism just common sense. The truth is too easy for us, and we become angry at those who unmask our illusions. By the way Dan, if one has to die to prove something I say no thanks. Why is it when religious people are encouraged to examine their beliefs they become angry at those who question thier beliefs. If you are secure in your beliefs it should not bother you in the least what others think. I know a mountain of doubt simmers beneath all that faith(wishful thinking). When beliefs rest on wish fulfillment they are no longer beliefs but illusions.
Klufter
November 10th, 2009
9:29 am
First of all, I agree with you that it was an act of domestic terrorism. I can also go along with the idea that it is treason. Whichever one of these gets this raghead shot the quickest.
The draft. I think the draft could greatly improve the quality of personnel in our armed forces. Certainly, you would have to weed a lot of undesirables out, but that is being done today anyway. The problem I had with the draft was that it was crooked. A lot of people were able to avoid it that should have had to go like the rest of us. Women should not be drafted. They have no place in the combat branches of our military. They can be clerks, nurses and cooks and still serve our country that way.
Corey
November 10th, 2009
9:32 am
Dan, how much theism does one need to wrap their heads around the concepts of treating others the way you want to be treated and living a responsilble life? To each his own.
Aquagirl
November 10th, 2009
9:35 am
A draft? Good idea, Jim, but George “Mission Accomplished” Bush was all too happy to get us into a war we couldn’t sustain. If we had a draft, the military could kick out these substandard bodies. However, they are under tremendous pressure to keep every warm body they can get.
Then again, if even half of 1% of these KeyboardWarriors would volunteer, we wouldn’t need a draft. They’d rather listen to Rush or Sean, slap a yellow ribbon on their gas-guzzler, or go teabagging. We should exchange them for a few million hard-working illegal immigrants. America would be better off.
JLK
November 10th, 2009
9:35 am
Corey, “If you are secure in your beliefs it should not bother you in the least what others think.”
AMEN! I’ll take that a step farther: If you’re secure in your beliefs, you won’t mind presenting FACTUAL evidence backing them up to demonstrate the truthfulness and logic of those beliefs, and how adhering to and practicing those beliefs fulfills the mission put forth in the tenets thereof. If you’re secure in those beliefs, you’ll be able to express all this without becoming defensive or aggressive or insulting the person who asked you to explain or answer questions about seemingly conflicting evidence regarding those beliefs.
Del
November 10th, 2009
9:40 am
Talk about stuck on stupid read the 7:44 and the 9:01 am posts.
Gagrunt
November 10th, 2009
9:43 am
“You must be omniscient” – what planet are you living on? Just read what’s out there, this man should have been dealt with years ago, but for PC fools like you who are not willing to deal with the real world. If he had, he would have never have had to access to commit this terrorist act. And sadly, those Muslin soldiers who are committed to serving their country must now bear the doubt this has created in the minds of non-Muslin soldiers. There is no such thing as political correctness in combat, there is only one measure of others in combat and that is can I trust that person when the clips are down. Generals may have to be PC, but Grunts don’t.
Truth Seeker
November 10th, 2009
9:44 am
Del @ 9:40 Whats your point? The 7:44 and 9:01 post were valid….
Snafu
November 10th, 2009
9:47 am
Jim is just a typical blame all the muslims for domestic terrorism. What Jim has failed along with many others is he was allowed to enlist in the military and was a trained killer. Its fine for people like Jim to egg on the military killing civilians in other countries who have done nothing to Americans yet when the military’s own turns the gun on their own all of sudden its name calling, speculation, and a lot of bull.
How about some facts before jumping to conclusion. We know he killed his fellow soldiers, treasonous and criminal by all means. So as always Jim and the misinformation media will put out the call against all muslims for one person. Get a clue..not every muslim, christian, baptist etc walk in lockstep. Its time to look at the individuals who commit these crimes.
Would Jim be saying the same thing for Rodriquez who killed a person in Florida and terrorized the people in that office building, no, because Jim finds it easier to stoke up the hateraid on muslims. How about the many christains, baptist who have committed atrocities? I don’t see Jim talking about them, why? Because muslims are an easy target for haters.
Jim as backwards as many of these people in Georgia find it convenient to blame all instead of the one who committed the crime. And what about the other shooter, never heard a peep, why not? Media a bit silent on that one eh, Jim!
Chris D'
November 10th, 2009
9:49 am
So a guy who doesn’t want to be deployed snaps and you want to start a draft to get more people in the military that don’t want to be there. So you want to have a draft and massively increase the amount of enlisted in the military thus increasing federal government expenditures for the military and let me guess you will continue to complain about how big the government is already.
Normally when things like this happen the first course of action is to do a thorough evaluation of why they happened so that in the future they can be avoided, having the perpetrator alive during that investigation has its advantages. Spare me the Muslim extremist are going to kill us all BS. People are killed every day in this country and I don’t seem to hear an outcry against demographic groups that perpetrate those crimes. A Christian male from North Carolina committed terrorist acts in Atlanta and tried to kill me. How would you recommend we racially profile potential perpetrators of that demographic?
HDB
November 10th, 2009
9:49 am
“President Barack Obama later reinforced that feeling of disconnect when talking about the “valiant” men and women who had been killed at Ft. Hood. Obama’s choice of words has indicated before that he has no clue what valor is and what heroes are and when to apply the terms to actions by men and women in uniform.”
Mr. Wooten, if you are saying that those of us who serve or have served this nation aren’t valiant, then I suggest you enlist! How dare you belittle the sacrifices that our military make EVERY DAY to secure YOUR liberty!! You’ve just insulted me and those like me…..people who have served and protected this nation!!! JLK…you’re right on point!!
It’s evident that this person snapped; let’s wait until the investigation is completed to pass judgment. This is an isolated case; not an inditment of all Muslims….although the preponderance of Americans would make that stretch!!
Fred
November 10th, 2009
9:51 am
If a draft would get Jim Wooten’s offspring offed then lets do it.
One can get a bullet right through brain and then the blood could puddle up into a sticky stain and then Jim can get all proud and patriotic and then another child could be kidnapped and beheaded with all of it recorded and put on the web for posterity and Jim could jack off while he watches.
Yeah…a mandatory draft and Jim Wooten’s children violently killed for political whims like the “domino effect” and Afghanistan nationalism – that’s a great idea Jim.
Del
November 10th, 2009
9:53 am
Well you can add the 9:47am post to the stuck on stupid category.
Del
November 10th, 2009
9:57 am
Now you can add the 9:51am post to the really stuck on stupid category.
oldtimer
November 10th, 2009
10:01 am
Will he be tried under the new hate crime rules also?
Pedro
November 10th, 2009
10:02 am
Del, I think you just nailed it.
Dee
November 10th, 2009
10:03 am
Oh that’s nice Fred. Why not join in the discussion instead of embarrassing your liberal friends?
clyde
November 10th, 2009
10:03 am
Shar,
I said the man was an armed assassin,but I do not believe he did this under stress.
Jackey Jack,
They didn’t all return.Some are working for the Canadian government.They’re welcome to them.
I’ve never been opposed to a draft.I did volunteer though before I could be drafted in ‘62.That got me an extra 365 days of active duty.Draftees tended to be older than volunteers.
Del
November 10th, 2009
10:05 am
Now you can add the 9:57am post to the really stuck on stupid category.
Del
November 10th, 2009
10:12 am
Okay now we have a case of identification theft in the 10:57 am post. It did get little bit silent there for awhile. I think they were running like rats to the far-left procedure library to find a response.
You're just not getting it
November 10th, 2009
10:12 am
What we have here, is intellectual laziness. Political correctness has NOTHING to do with the situation!! The reason “the media” hasn’t jumped to a conclusion is because they shouldn’t!! And neither should any of us. Look, it may turn out that he was simply a nutjob, or it may turn out that he was Osama’s right hand man; that’s irrelevant right now. None of us are on the ground investigating this case, and while there are various reports in the media, those reports can be wrong, misleading, and incomplete. Our justice system is based on convicting on evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, and while I clearly understand that people will have inclinations toward what they think happened, we should ALL withold judgement until the facts are clearer. It is too soon after the incident to have reliable evidence, especially when the military is involved (more secretive for obvious, and justifiable, reasons). To make a judgement, especially as adamantly as many of you are, at this point in the investigation is dangerous (lynch mob mentality; Leo Frank case anyone?), intellectually lazy (actually considering the facts without resorting to pre-concieved judgements; John Adams successfully defending the British soldiers after the Boston Massacre?), and flat out against the ideals (assumption of innocence, due process, and most importantly rule of law) on which this country was founded on. As David S alluded to above, if we paint this guy as a “Muslim terrorist” without warrant, then we undermine our cause. We give the actual terrorist more fodder to use against us. If we are slow to judge, until we have all of the facts, then we have a great example of why our system of government, freedom, and western thought in general(in most cases) is superior to the current state of affairs in many parts of the world, particularly in the Middle East. Just food for thought….
Del
November 10th, 2009
10:14 am
Correction to my last it was the 10:05am post.
Brand
November 10th, 2009
10:40 am
DIs should be kicking a$$ during basic like in the days of old. Wouldn’t leave any names to take after their harsh indoctrination. Discard the weak and keep the strong. There’s no room for overly sensitive pansies in the military. Go big or go home.
There’s no I in team.
Mark Sanford
November 10th, 2009
10:45 am
Remember the column about how my disappearance wasn’t really a story? Good times.
JLK
November 10th, 2009
10:53 am
“There’s no room for overly sensitive pansies in the military.
Wow Brand, that was profound. So, you don’t want to make an exception when our military is stretched beyond thin, occupying and fighting insurgents in two foreign lands for nearly a decade, with the bold and strong serving four, five, six (and counting) tours apiece, while their families struggle back home? Where do you suggest we get replacements for the sensitive pansies you send home because they’re not tough and angry enough to apply their technological, medical, and administrative job skills to support our combat forces?
AmVet
November 10th, 2009
10:56 am
Damn straight. Make service to the nation mandatory, as they do in Israel and elsewhere.
But be forewarned, the roads to Canada are gonna be packed with blustering neo-cons who seem to have lost their already tiny testicular fortitude.
Like their pappies, never-served and never-will…
Notwithstanding Ayn’s brilliant and valorous analysis at 8:15, of keeping the services all voluntary to keep out the failures and dregs of public education and society in general, what the hell does this closet commander think is the case now?
Had he not done the Saxby, he’d know it is and always has been, chock full of uncaught criminals, miscreants, dead enders and misfits.
Sorry to burst you delusional bubble conned. They ain’t all Audie Murphys…
Cutty
November 10th, 2009
11:24 am
Valiant- marked by or showing bravery or valor; heroic. Worthy.
So I guess those of us who go about our daily tasks in life aren’t worthy or brave. So since W., Cheney, and the rest of the republican chickenhawks can’t be valiant either.
Dan
November 10th, 2009
11:32 am
Corey I agree with common sense, you aren’t preaching common sense when your response to a radicl islamist is to decry christianity. My point is, which you graciously provide an example for, is the imbalance of political correctness, it is fine to decry christianity but not islam or atheistic brutal dictators. You can’t fix a problem unless you face it. This is a problem of radical Islamic extremism, (just as other prior christian witch hunts etc) sugar coating it had a large part in allowing this nut to do what he did. I am not advocating condeming all muslims, simply call it what it is
Brand
November 10th, 2009
11:35 am
No JLK, what I’m arguing for is making men out of liberal pansies. Are you saying it’s not possible? In our military training all things are possible provided their main concern is saving the lives of our men and women, not worrying about how their mommies would react were one of them to succumb to harsh interrogation. Real soldiers need nannies about as much as they need a hole in the head.
Can’t do the time, don’t sign on the line. Liberal men have a code of their own. It’s called Pink. Join up. Be all the man Code Pink can be.
Mutts R Dirty, Filthy Scum -ToHellWithGeorgia
November 10th, 2009
11:49 am
How exactly did INVADING Iraq keep me free? It did not, Iraq was never any threat to me. Yet WoodenHead’s boy Bush and his neocon scum handlers squandered our military force, the lives of our soldiers, and our treasure in this ProIsrael war of aggression. Bush was and is a domestic terrorist, and so are the neocon scum. The neocons wanted us to attack Iraq because Saddam was paying suicide bombers in Israel, and Israel could not get to Saddam. So save your cry babying for the stupid people out there Woodie, like dusty or jmblaw.
JLK
November 10th, 2009
11:50 am
Brand, I have known military men and women, and progressive-minded, peace-loving men and women, and men and women who were both. (Who EXACTLY are you calling pansies, and would you please do so to their faces?) Frankly, I don’t think any of them would appreciate your interpretation of their motives or integrity. Why don’t you stick to speaking your own mind instead of projecting your fears and prejudices onto others about which you know little or nothing? You’d have more cred that way. Just sayin’.
getalife
November 10th, 2009
11:54 am
photo
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I am a con too.
It was her sex tape that converted me.
I watched it with her mother.
Del
November 10th, 2009
11:54 am
God Bless and keep those Ft. Hood families who lost loved ones.
To the United States Marine Corps, Happy 234th Birthday. Semper Fi
Richard
November 10th, 2009
12:00 pm
The definition of terrorism is using fear as a means of persuasion. I have no clue what this guy’s motives were and noone reading this does either. He may be a terrorist. He may just be a whackjob. He may be a murderer. In this post 9/11 world, people seem to forget the difference between the three.
I do worry that because the guy happens to be a Muslim, he is automatically being labeled as a terrorist when that may not be the case. Focusing all hatred on a particular faith distracts us from our goal of capturing all terrorists. (See Dr. Tiller murderer)
mhs4
November 10th, 2009
12:18 pm
The liberal wacko teachers at the University of Mass. is inviting one to speak. Of course, they say it is freedom of speech, etc. Personally, I just believe they have a sick fascination with this stuff and some even sympathize with them.
AmVet
November 10th, 2009
12:27 pm
Maybe he’s gotten too uppity…
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is stirring controversy once again with a video interview in which he said that some white Republicans are “scared” of him when he walks into a room.
Steele was responding to TV One’s Roland Martin, who said that “white Republicans have been scared of black folks,” Steele replied: “You’re absolutely right.”
“I’ve been in the room and they’ve been scared of me,” said Steele, the first African-American RNC chairman, Politico reported. “I’m like, ‘I’m on your side.’”
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/steele_white_republicans/2009/11/09/283912.html
Kenyan POTUS
November 10th, 2009
12:31 pm
I hope that while lies in that hospital bed IT HURTS !
If that SOB gets one drop of pain medication it’s a disgrace.
This guy knew exactly what he was doing. He used an $1800 handgun designed explicitly in Belgium for “close combat”. The gun fires a NATO 5.7mm bullet designed to penetrate body armor and kevlar. This ain’t no amateur weapon.
Anybody who makes an excuse for this scumbag deserves to lose their freedom and citizenship. All you whiny little liberals want to excuse any behavior that MIGHT implicate militant Muslims. Especially since your Kenyan president is on the case.
Obama is a weakling and a marxist.
This is another example of why the world is watching Obozo and laughing in his face.
Brand
November 10th, 2009
12:32 pm
JLK, it’s the politically correct approach I’m calling pansy. I’ll take Patton. You take Hitler’s panzers. No matter how much you want to dream, there’s no bulge in pink panties, girl.
Algonquin J. Calhoun
November 10th, 2009
12:34 pm
In 1968 I was facing being drafted into the army. Beyond that, I was looking at a certain trip to Vietnam. I didn’t believe in the efficacy of the war, as it appeared to me that Americans were doing all the fighting while the South Vietnamese merely looked on. I, however, did not seriously entertain the alternative of going to Canada. Too cold and, at that time, a permanent move. Returning would have resulted in a prison sentence which is what refusing induction into the armed forces was rewarded with. I joined the United States Marine corps and got the best training I could get in the hope I could survive Vietnam. I did! I’m proud of my service to my country and I’m proud of all the other people who have served this nation well. However, folks no longer ask what they can do for their country. Instead, they want the country to serve them and that’s it!
Nidal Hasan committed murder at Fort Hood and he is a domestic terrorist. Like Timothy McVeigh, Hasan is a native born American. His case will be talked about incessantly because of his name and because he’s Muslim. In this country mass murder is not all that unusual. Unfortunately, it happens a lot. There were plenty of signs that Hasan’s allegiance was questionable at best. Nothing was done. This probably would not have happened had he been discharged when investigators intercepted emails between Hasan and a radical Muslim cleric known to have had contact with two of the nineteen hijacker, murderers on september 11, 2001.
Having disloyal, murderers within our military is nothing new. Benedict Arnold was one of the first. During the trek to Iraq several Americans were killed or injured when a fellow American deliberately set off a grenade. This particular tragedy could have been averted if gathered intelligence had been acted upon! Hasan would have discharged and put on a watch list and forty-two people would not have been touched by this idiot!
Dan
November 10th, 2009
12:38 pm
Richard,
Lets have a civil discussion of what we know (and keep in mind court of law rules don’t apply)
Terrorist (maybe depends on the definition) Whackjob also definitional but I think we can safely say yes, Murderer, unquestionably.
Now as for terrorist it seems you are the one equating terrorism with your post ie “I do worry that because the guy happens to be a Muslim, he is automatically being labeled as a terrorist” That is jumping to a conclusion the same as someone labling every muslim a terrorist. Perhaps he is being labled a terrorist because of these other facts the mainstream is downplaying, he has been in contact with Al Queda, he has on numerous occasions discussed and even made presentations about anti americanism in relationship to muslim and yelling Allh Akbar while beginning his attack. This sequence of events is far more the reason for the label than the simple fact he is muslim. Having said that, his first offense is treason, then murder, then if you want terroristic acts, whatever lines him up to be shot the fastest I am all for.
stands for decibels
November 10th, 2009
12:44 pm
the first accounts I heard or read focused on jihadist Nidal M. Hasan as victim
Really. Why don’t you post a link to where he was referred to as a “victim.” Just one will do.
stands for decibels
November 10th, 2009
12:46 pm
Political correctness has NOTHING to do with the situation!! The reason “the media” hasn’t jumped to a conclusion is because they shouldn’t!
Alternatively, you exploit a tragedy when it’s still fresh in everyone’s minds. Attaboy, Jim!
BS Aplenty
November 10th, 2009
12:59 pm
Jon but not Jon Voight,
…You’re right, domestic terrorism. Just like when that guy Timothy McVeigh did the same thing.
I’m sure you’ll also agree that Nidal Hasan deserves the same punishment. Right? We’ll see just how far PC-ism has affected this country and its ability to dispense justice equitably.
Glenn Beck's Appendix
November 10th, 2009
1:04 pm
This guy is pure human scum.
He is a terrorist. Plain and simple. He deserves a merciless death.
He should be waterboarded 600 times, tatooed with stars of david all over his skin and finally tied to tree so wild pigs can eat him alive.
After he’s dead he should be buried face down pointed west. That’s justice.
Dan
November 10th, 2009
1:08 pm
stands for decibels
How about this very paper in Ms Tuckers column noting that he was deeply troubled that the war was against muslims, it is not of course, it is against those who strive for our demise, many just happen to be muslim. I am sure there are many more links to be had, I have even seen some references to PRE traumatic stress disorder (he was afraid to be deployed) It is this very thing that causes the distress, 99% of the people think the killer is an extremist whackjob and thats it.
Barackula
November 10th, 2009
1:09 pm
Glenn Beck’s Appendix @ 1:04pm – Thanks for saying it.
Pat
November 10th, 2009
1:24 pm
The evidence shows Hasan is a domestic terrorist as defined in Sec. 802 of the U.S. Patriot Act and that he committed a terrorist act under the Texas Penal Code.
Before the PC era, when I was an Army JAG, we would have administratively separated a person with Hasan’s record.
The current politically correct policy of the Army, the FBI and the administration effectively prevented Hasan’s separation from the Army and thereby contributed to the massacre.
Edwin Burgh
November 10th, 2009
1:28 pm
Why is it that, when someone who isn’t a Muslim snaps an murders a whole bunch of people, everyone is shocked and wonders why he did it, but when someone who is a Muslim does the same thing, it becomes an insane, treacherous, organized terrorist attack?
Leaping to judgment without facts in evidence is about as un-American as you can get. Perhaps we should all wait until the investigation is complete before we leap on the terrorist train, hmm?
“99% of the people think the killer is an extremist whackjob and thats it.”
You understand that the Constitution and our judicial system was pretty much created to AVOID mob rule, right?
So many of you rant and rave about how much you love America, but you clearly don’t understand what America stands for. All I see from you is who you hate, and how all the people in this country who aren’t just like you are its enemies and hate America and need to be killed or exiled…what is wrong with you? You are more un-American than just about anyone.
Fair and Balanced
November 10th, 2009
1:29 pm
Oh so “valiant” isn’t a good word, I guess ole Jim would have preferred if the president called them “slow”.
DebbieDoRight
November 10th, 2009
2:15 pm
Jimbo: President Barack Obama later reinforced that feeling of disconnect when talking about the “valiant” men and women who had been killed at Ft. Hood. Obama’s choice of words has indicated before that he has no clue what valor is and what heroes are and when to apply the terms to actions by men and women in uniform.
What kind of assinine crap is that Jimboy? (deliberate misspelling). I guess you don’t consider people who VOLUNTEER for service or VOLUNTEER to go to war a distinction of valor huh? They must be DRAFTED or FORCED to participate — that shows what real manly men they really are. To VOLUNTEER in your poor feeble eyes denotes a lack of — but to be FORCED, well, that shows their true valor!! What an over rated AZZ you are. Your delusions of sanity and greatness is only enabling your dementia to become more and more pronounced over the years. TAKE YOUR MEDS JIMBOY. Put your Medicare to use.
ONE MORE THOUGHT:
Jim: They were victims of domestic terrorism, just as the office-workers in the World Trade Center were victims. Going about their normal course of business in a setting previously believed to be safe and secure does not make them valiant
I noticed you didn’t mention the OKC Bombing. I wonder why……..? Senility probably? Or just your good old fashioned repuglican chutzpah and blindness by not mentioning another BIG DOMESTIC TERRORIST PLOT that killed hundreds of innocents — including CHILDREN. Makes me wonder…………
DebbieDoRight
November 10th, 2009
2:17 pm
PS: BRING ON THE DRAFT!! I’d love to see some of those “young republicans” and “tea baggers” in uniform!!! They can’t hide behind their signs and their mama’s skirts forever!!
citizen
November 10th, 2009
2:21 pm
You do have to keep in mind that only about 7% of Islamic Moslems are fanatical extremist. The rest are peace loving individuals with concern for their fellow man.
Oh wait, 7% of 1.4 Billion is 100 MILLION!!!!
Islamic extremist can operate as an army of 1 or 10 or more. Our country has just gotten so tolerant of many behaviors that our young people don’t look up to us as moral leaders. I don’t have the answer, but I do know that with just 25% of young people eligible to even join the military,75% are not eligible. This equation will not support our free society.
Piso Mojado
November 10th, 2009
2:23 pm
Fear and rage. Is that all you wingnuts have?
Let’s not forget that ALL of the problems we face right now can be laid at the feet of the previous administration.
Barackula
November 10th, 2009
2:29 pm
Did Hassan yell “Allah Akbar” while committing these murders? Several witnesses are claiming he did.
Did Hassan have premeditation? Given what we’ve all learned so far it seems to be crystal clear he did.
Did Hassan intentionally target American soldiers? Yes.
Did Hassan show up armed to the teeth with one of the most lethal handguns available anywhere in the world? Yes.
Did Hassan (an officer in the US Army) make outlandish statements in the past to friends and coworkers? Yes.
A terrorist? Absolutely yes.
Should he be executed immediately? Yes.
I don’t give a damn what his reasoning was. He shot more than 40 people. End of discussion.
Ready. Aim. FIRE ! Justice.
Just in case anybody wants to view the weapon he used here it is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_Five-seven
Dan
November 10th, 2009
2:29 pm
Uh Ms Do right, a draft would dramatically increase the liberals in the military not the conservatives. The armed forces are largely conservative, which is a logical corallry seeing as it is a place where people voluntarily choose to work for what they get rather than demand someone else give it to them, all while serving their country.
Gerald West
November 10th, 2009
2:40 pm
Wooten can always find something to whine about. In this case, the media didn’t give a proper neo-con slant to the tragic killing of men and women who had volunteed to risk life and limb in defense of our country.
The killer can’t be just a madman; he’s got to be a Muslim in cahoots with bin Laden, or a tool of the vast left-wing conspiracy headed by President Obama. The victims can’t be valiant; they were just innocent bystanders to a local crime rather than fallen combatants in a struggle against foreigners.
Another load of nonsense to fill the space between paid ads in the newspaper!
Joan
November 10th, 2009
2:48 pm
Muslims have no place in the military. It is too bad he wasn’t killed outright, preferably the day before the shootings.
Del
November 10th, 2009
2:49 pm
Oh man…I see we have some more stuck on stupid comments posted. 2:17pm, 2:23pm and now the 2:40pm post. The nutroots
AF
November 10th, 2009
2:50 pm
I didn’t read all the news accounts as finding excuses for murder, rather as attempts to understand why it happened. The guy, crazy or not, needs to be tried and, if found guilty, face what I hope will be the ultimate consequence.
I agree entirely with the idea that we should have a draft of all those physically able to serve in the military. I believe we would have all paid a great deal more attention to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan if we knew our husbands, brothers, sons, grandsons, nephews, cousins, and neighbors would be in harm’s way.
We are too disconnected from the real consequence of war – injury, mutilation, and death – when we don’t know those who are fighting or who may be sent to fight. We don’t have enough personally at stake. Would we have had the patience to allow this war to go on and on if there was a draft? Or, would the military and poliyical leaders have conducted this war harder and faster if we had really been paying attention? I think so.
Joan
November 10th, 2009
2:51 pm
By the way, I have read through the comments above, and it strikes me that liberals would deny the sun rose in the morning and sat at night, if it interfered with some warped view of the world that they have. All the evidence in the world isn’t enough for them. Well, there is such a thing as common sense. Remember, the race isn’t always to the swift, or the battle to the strong–but that is the way to bet it. Common sense says, get Muslims out of the military. I will never give one of them the benefit of the doubt, or turn my back on one.
DebbieDoRight
November 10th, 2009
3:10 pm
Dan: Being the child, wife, and sister of servicemembers I can respectively say your comment is BushSH#T. Try reading a book now and then to find the real truth, perhaps one with words as well as pictures.
Crenshaw8
November 10th, 2009
3:21 pm
What will result from this atrocity is a backlash against the incompetent media that led us to an incompetent CiC by way of their PC principles.
I think a few good muslims could handle the scrutiny better than the liberal media.
deep to center
November 10th, 2009
3:50 pm
Supposedly, Hasam asked for discharges multiple times. With all the strikes against this loser, why in the world did the Army not just say YES?
It would not surprise me if right now the military brass and Obama administration is coaching this guy to say he was under stress and just flipped out to spare them the extreme embarrassment of not dealing with him sooner.
You Distort, We Deride
November 10th, 2009
3:56 pm
If Bush had captured bin Laden, none of this would have happened.
I mean, that’s what the wingnuts said in the aftermath of 9/11…except I seem to recall this was all Clinton’s fault at the time.