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msh0622 · 11-15-2009, 01:56

Warrior-Mentor,

I agree that the tragic events that unfolded at Fort Hood were undoubtedly terrorist in nature and I believe that over time we will continue to hear more evidence that Nidal Malik Hasan had some affiliation with extremists within the mosque he attended, within circles with which he was associated and on websites that he frequented. I personally believe he was screened and then contacted by an organization that persuaded or coerced him to carry out the attack. Hopefully, as new information continues to surface, the prosecution will move to change the charges against Hasan to include terrorism. In the meantime, I'm frustrated and concerned that the powers that be have continued to downplay this event as something other than terrorism because it goes against common sense. Even if Hassan had not been a Muslim, the nature of the attack defines terrorism in itself. You are right, it was a suicide attack without the bomb, that is all. I'm sure he fully expected to be killed in the process of carrying out his attack, as you insinuated. I also believe that it was no coincidence that he chose the FN 5.7 as his weapon of choice, as it is a high power, high capacity weapon, which reduces the need for precise accuracy under the conditions in which he carried the attack out. Anyway, if he had been a Christian with extremist views and committed that same act in the name of Christianity, it still would have been a terrorist attack just as the bombing by Timothy McVeigh was a terrorist attack.

I don't necessarily agree that the Obama Administration is running away from terrorism though, I don't really think it would make sense as a strategy to deal with situations such as this. I believe they are more concerned with the potential problems that may arise if this guy really is considered to be an "Islamic" martyr. I believe it makes more sense to try to downplay his Islamic affiliations and beliefs and play him up as a confused, frustrated and disgruntled soldier with problems that were not addressed. The potential for more homegrown copycats who are inspired by the thought of Hasan as a "soldier for Islam" is more dangerous than the picture that is being currently presented. We must never forget that an assassin that is willing to die during the execution of his attack is an assassin that is almost impossible to defend against. Young, confused and frustrated American Muslims don't need anymore motivation than they have already received.

11-15-2009, 01:56	#4
msh0622 Asset Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 2	Running Away from Terrorism Warrior-Mentor, I agree that the tragic events that unfolded at Fort Hood were undoubtedly terrorist in nature and I believe that over time we will continue to hear more evidence that Nidal Malik Hasan had some affiliation with extremists within the mosque he attended, within circles with which he was associated and on websites that he frequented. I personally believe he was screened and then contacted by an organization that persuaded or coerced him to carry out the attack. Hopefully, as new information continues to surface, the prosecution will move to change the charges against Hasan to include terrorism. In the meantime, I'm frustrated and concerned that the powers that be have continued to downplay this event as something other than terrorism because it goes against common sense. Even if Hassan had not been a Muslim, the nature of the attack defines terrorism in itself. You are right, it was a suicide attack without the bomb, that is all. I'm sure he fully expected to be killed in the process of carrying out his attack, as you insinuated. I also believe that it was no coincidence that he chose the FN 5.7 as his weapon of choice, as it is a high power, high capacity weapon, which reduces the need for precise accuracy under the conditions in which he carried the attack out. Anyway, if he had been a Christian with extremist views and committed that same act in the name of Christianity, it still would have been a terrorist attack just as the bombing by Timothy McVeigh was a terrorist attack. I don't necessarily agree that the Obama Administration is running away from terrorism though, I don't really think it would make sense as a strategy to deal with situations such as this. I believe they are more concerned with the potential problems that may arise if this guy really is considered to be an "Islamic" martyr. I believe it makes more sense to try to downplay his Islamic affiliations and beliefs and play him up as a confused, frustrated and disgruntled soldier with problems that were not addressed. The potential for more homegrown copycats who are inspired by the thought of Hasan as a "soldier for Islam" is more dangerous than the picture that is being currently presented. We must never forget that an assassin that is willing to die during the execution of his attack is an assassin that is almost impossible to defend against. Young, confused and frustrated American Muslims don't need anymore motivation than they have already received.
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