Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, an Army psychiatrist set to deploy to
Investigators inspected Hasan's computer, his apartment and garbage last week, in an effort to learn what provoked the now comatose suspect. Hasan was shot four times by civilian police officer, Sgt Kimberly Munley, stopping the bloody rampage that killed 13 and wounded 38 – hospital officials reported some of the victims had very serious wounds and might not live.
Among the dead were a pregnant woman who was preparing to return home, a man who quit a job in the furniture business to enlist the armed forces about a year ago, a newlywed who had toured Iraq and a woman who sworn to take on Osama bin Laden after 9/11.
Investigators are attempting to piece together how and why Hasan allegedly gunned down his fellow service members in the medical center where some 300 unarmed soldiers were lined-up for vaccines and eye tests. Police said they are trying to verify if Hasan posted Internet writings that source his name about suicide bombings and other threats, likening suicide bombers to soldiers who throw themselves on a grenade to save the life of fellow soldiers.
What is most disturbing is Major Hasan, a practicing Muslim, had related to several people over the years the Army was not truly tolerant of his faith and that he felt isolated. The officer will surely be a case-study in military protocol, both for the standards of which religion is recognized and regulations regarding personal arms.
Following the massacre, many questions remain: why did this man who counseled returning troops wasn’t realized as a potential threat? Have the many years of political correctness seep into the military finally allowed for such a tragedy to go un-averted? Is the military doing all it can to assess those who render counseling?
Service members have voiced their discontent for the ever changing, politically correct environment of the armed forces and there is little doubt the culture of the military has undergone a transformation over the years, in the wake of this tragedy, it’s time to reassess just what that transformation has wrought.
-- Killswitch Politick
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