Fort Hood shooter Internet posts

Is it premature to consider terrorism or Islamic ideology as a motive for this crime?

Today, as the tragic events unfolded at U.S. Army post Fort Hood (outside Killeen, Texas) a nation watched in shock and dismay. Major Nidal Malik Hasan, opened fire on his fellow solders killing twelve and injuring 31 others; two of the mortally wounded reportedly were civilians.

Regardless of your opinion on the war in Iraq, the senseless murder of the U.S. soldiers who volunteer their lives for their country is intolerable and unimaginable. Worse is that this attack happened on U.S. soil at their home base, referred to by some as the soldiers’ haven.

Major Hasan, age 39, is a graduate of Virginia Tech and a licensed psychiatrist who was practicing at Darnall Army Medial Centre at Fort Hood. Military officials said that Hasan had previously worked for six years at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington where he had received a poor performance evaluation before transferring to Fort Hood in Texas.

It was initially reported that the shooter was killed in the take-down but in a military press release tonight at Fort Hood, Lt. Gen. Robert Cone clarified that the gunman was still alive and in custody, contrary to earlier reports. Although Hasan was shot multiple times, Lt. Gen. Cone said that he is currently in stable condition and that his death was not viewed to be imminent.

While immediate concern is focused on the recovery of the injured and sincere condolences pour out to the families of the victims who lost their lives today, in the wake of this shocking event and as information continues to flood the airwaves, the speculation on Hasan’s motive begins.

Across news media, people are being warned not to jump to any conclusions as to Hasan’s motivation for this crime. All the while, some are suggesting post traumatic stress disorder (although Major Hasan was never deployed outside the United States at any time during his military career). Others suggest the possibility of some other kind of psychological disorder. Aside from that, people are being urged not to jump to conclusions.

What is being left unsaid it quite akin to ignoring the 800 pound gorilla in the room. It seems that everyone is avoiding even the mere mention that this man could possibly have been motivated by Islamic ideology. On Larry King Live, Doctor Phil calls out a fellow panelist for even suggesting the man’s connection to Islam, insinuating that the mere thought is dangerous and irresponsible.

But as the media coverage continues and more-and-more information comes to light, suspicions are increased and rightly so.

Law enforcement officials have reported that Hasan came to the attention of the authorities roughly six months ago because of Internet postings that discussed suicide bombings and other threats. One of the Web postings is a blog that likens suicide bombers with a soldier throwing himself on a grenade to save the lives of his comrades.

“To say that this soldier committed suicide is inappropriate. Its (sic) more appropriate to say he is a brave hero that sacrificed his life for a more noble cause,”

“Scholars have paralled (sic) this to suicide bombers whose intention, by sacrificing their lives, is to help save Muslims by killing enemy soldiers.”

Although authorities were aware of these Internet postings, there was no formal investigation.

Hasan was scheduled to be deployed to Iraq and reportedly was upset about that. His brother told the media that he had wanted to get out of the military and had even sought legal help at one point to do so.

One of Hasan’s fellow soldiers told media about a number of incidences when Hasan discussed things about the war in Iraq, expressing his disagreement with U.S. foreign policy. And purportedly, Hasan had complained about anti-Muslim harassment, despite the fact that he was a high ranking officer.

All told, what we know for sure at this point is little. Surely as the days go by we will learn more. The military will be launching a full scale investigation, which will be a collaborative endeavor between the FBI and potentially other agencies. We are told that Hasan’s computer will be dissected to gain any further insight as to his motives, along with any cell phone records, and that there will be an exhaustive interview process on the base.

What seems clear is that for some reason people are afraid of calling a spade a spade, or even considering it as an option, even if there is evidence to suggest it is a possibility.

Understandably, authorities want to avoid any kind of civilian retaliation towards American Muslims and rightly so. But one has to wonder if the world has really come to that point – where rational discussion can not be had because it is in itself as Dr. Phil put it, “dangerous and irresponsible.”

Watch the Press Release:

Lt. Gen. Robert Cone says that the suspected gunman is not dead but in custody.