APPARENT FACTS ABOUT THE FT HOOD MASSACRE

Well, it looks like the shooter at Ft. Hood acted alone and was a career soldier who had been trying to get out of the army for nearly a decade.  His name is Nadal Hassan and he is a 39 year old psychiatrist.


At first reported to be a convert to Islam with a new name he is now reported by a person said to be his cousin to be a Muslim from a Muslim family.  He was reportedly born in the United States of Jordanian immigrants.


  The purported cousin has reported that he had tried to get out of the military again and again but didn't even know about his impending deployment to Iraq.

The no discharge policies of the armed forces are legendary because so few citizens want to carry out America's dirty work any more.  Bill Moyers recently advocated a restoration of the military draft and while I may disagree with him I certainly appreciate the position of those who have signed up for the military and who are essentially indentured servants who also get paid.  


At first reported to have accomplices it turns out that the two reported "suspects", who were apparently arrested quite dramatically have already been released because authorities reportedly believe that Dr. Hasan acted alone.  One might wonder if he responded somewhat like a rat being cornered by a cat.  Obviously his efforts were premeditated.


Certain blogs have been attributed to Dr. Hasan and these apparently express a certain interest in suicide bombing and certain other statements that suggest he may have also seen himself as saving Muslim lives.  Whether or not he would have come to such observations without the anti-Muslim harassment, if he had been discharged or allowed to remain state side will never be known.  


Reportedly killed in the massacre Dr. Hasan is now reportedly alive.  I hope a full and transparent investigation will be allowed.  Still to come are the details about those he killed and wounded.  


I counsel that we seek to find wisdom in this hour of sorrow and sacrifice.  Let us join together to undermine the injustices of the world in all their particulars, large and small.



Additionally there was some sort of harassment which remains very vague. The harassment was  for being Muslim.  This also seemed to be a big gripe of Dr. Nadal Hasan, and one wonders if fundamentalists were the culprits but again no details. 


Of course I hope we don't see people try to blame this on all Muslims.  I have seen some suggest exactly such a simple minded over-generalization. 

LET'S NOT OVERREACT TO THE FORT HOOD MASSACRE

     Some sort of shooting at Fort Hood may end up as political hay for those who benefit by
fostering sedition against the nation.  I hope that is not the case but I imagine this attack will be used by the far right to attack Obama. 
This is an easy prediction to make since the Republicans have proven that they will use anything real or unreal to attack Obama.

  Let us remember during this mini-crisis that GW Bush covered himself in glory after 9-11 and most Americans seemed to buy that sort of irrational celebration of his deadly incompetence.


     It will be interesting to see how Obama handles this.  He has already spoken with some restraint.  Of course the media is full of speculation and the focus on a very limited amount of information may lead to a media frenzy.  How will the various media seek to guide public opinion?


     An overreaction to this incident is a very bad idea.  Above all it is crazy to give up our liberties and burn the Bill of Rights just because of this attack.  Repeal the "Patriot Act"!