Hoodwinked

We've had a week to absorb the tragedy at Fort Hood and it seems to me that some clear patterns are emerging. 

We know for example that Major Hasan's bizarre  behavior was observed by many of the soldiers with whom he worked, but they were reticent to report him for fear of looking like they were discriminating against a Muslim.

Despite this, immediately after the shooting, we see Janet Napolitano in Abu Dhabi warning against an "anti Muslim" backlash. 

We also learn that Hasan's anti American screeds were overlooked by US intelligence officials at the same time that Secretary Napolitano was sounding the warning to be on the look out for...American Conservatives. 

Does Napolitano understand that the war on terror is real?  Perhaps this is what happens when someone who has absolutely no training or qualifications receives a high level Cabinet position based on the fact that she endorsed the President early. 

Comments

[Surprised]

Of course we really don't know much either way about what actually happened.

What I found interesting was first, seeing President Obama urging everyone not to jump to conclusions (in light of GatesGate, where President Obama immediately jumped to conclusions), and then suggesting that Hasan cracked under stress a day or two later (in light of his urging not to jump to conclusions).

[ron]

Major Hasan's views and behavior were well known long before President Obama's inauguration. Why weren't they addressed by that administration instead of sending the problem to another location? Doesn't this kind of behavior sound familiar?

[mahtso]

"Doesn't this kind of behavior sound familiar?"

Blaming George Bush for President Obama's shortcomings? Yes, that sounds very familiar.

[Stewie]

Right after 9/11 there was this effort to make sure we didn't go overboard against the Muslim community. Here we have this same sentiment. Odd that is one of the first statements from the administration...oh, let's not go out persecuting Muslims.

I'm not asking to tar and feather every Muslim. I don't think most people want to either and I hope they don't.

But, please, can we be suspicious of those Muslims--OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER-- who exhibit these red flag behaviors? Is that too much to ask? Press reports say that the Ft. Hood murderer was under INVESTIGATION. For some time too. The Army moved him around like the church used to shuffle off pedophile priests.

Wheter this guy was someone who came unglued as does a school or workplace gunman or he was a one man jihadist, we may never know but he had exhibited sufficient unusual behavior that he was under investigation.

It was like several years ago when the hijackers got the attention of people for their flight lessons and the way they went about it. But there was no follow up. So there were thousands of deaths in 2001, and another 13 a week ago. Both times authories had been warned or actually taken note.

Please, allow us as a society to be suspicious of anyone whose behavior warrants it. Sec. Napolitano, WE GET IT, WE DON'T WANT TO DO THE BLAZING SADDLES NUMBER SIX ON ALL THEM THAR MUSLIMS. No Number Six and no Number Six Dance afterward.

[Steve Rogers]

Mahtso is absolutely right. It's pretty obvious to me that Obama should be reviewing the record of every single serviceman to make sure they're not likely to snap. What else did we elect him to do as president? This would never have happened if McCain had been elected.

[Jim Torgeson]

I think it's obvious no one wanted to see anti-Muslim by reporting him. He has 1st Amendment rights, but I thought the service would limit that behavior because it's supportive of the enemy.

Nappy should go away. Her anti-Conservative statement would have been huge had it been anti-Muslim, anti-liberal or anti-anyone else.

So far, this administartion seems to be down on everyone's 1st Amendment rights except their supporters and those who hate America.

[RPr]

http://www.veteranstoday.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9315

[Jim Torgeson]

Unreal!

[Steve F.]

Interesting site, although the amount of hyperbole there tends to cloud whatever they're trying to say.

Hasan was one among at least a hundred participants for a conference put on by the "Homeland Security Policy Institute". Exactly what link that has to DHS is debatable, although their influence seems to be considerable, at least looking at the major attendees there.

Perhaps this "opportunity" was given to Hasan so that he wouldn't feel so persecuted? Or maybe they hoped it would give him a fresh perspective on his beliefs with regards to the War on Terror?

Hell, do we even know if he actively participated in this conference, or just hung out in his hotel room and watch some sweet infidel porn on the adult channel?

We'll probably never know, but hopefully the Army will hang a few folks out to dry on this one.

And thanks to Hasan, the next nitwit that blurts out anti-American rhetoric in a military setting will hopefully be offered an early discharge.

And Obama won't have to worry about putting his food in his mouth like he did in the first press conference right after the shooting.

[ron]

Steve: "This would never have happened if McCain had been elected."

I see your tongue is firmly engaged with your cheek. :)

[ron]

This memo was written in 2007:

http://www.npr.org/documents/2009/nov/hasanletter.pdf