Deseret News | Red flags at Fort Hood

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In our opinion: Red flags at Fort Hood

Bot | 2:42 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

I've never heard anyone say "all Muslims should be regarded with suspicion". I have, however, heard that the 10 percent of U.S. Muslims who want to replace our Constitution with Sharia law should be regarded with suspicion. We're fortunate in the U.S. that it is only 10 percent. In Britain, 40 percent of Muslims prefer Sharia law.

I don't believe anyone condones discrimination against ALL Muslims.

I'd have missed the flags too | 5:47 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

"If the flags had been any more red, bulls would have come charging. Maj. Nidal Hasan was open about his radical Islamic beliefs. He tried to convert fellow doctors and patients. He was aggressive and argumentative."

Perhaps it is because of that countenance and those eyes.

I have thought so from when his picture was first published. That does not look like the kind of face or eyes that could do what he did (or think what he thought.)

Sammy | 8:35 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

The truth shall set you free.

We need to start calling a spade a spade. Everyone is acting silly by trying not to offend the world.

Be bold and brave and courageous. Stand up.

When we see TREASON in the government or elsewhere then we need to call it out.

We are at war. People are dying because of scared apathetic wimps. Stand up.

Comments continue below

re: Bot | 9:11 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

From Fox News: Bryan Kilmeade wants to know if it's time for "special debriefings," "special screenings" of Muslim officers.

Only those who had authority over Hassan know what they were thinking when they made decisions on how to deal with him. We ought to let ALL the facts come out before we jump to any conclusions.

Don't believe your ears and eyes | 9:38 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Political correctness will get more people killed. I was in the Netherland during the first gulf war, an Iraqi muslim was staying there at my hotel and began foaming at the mouth over the US invasion of Kawait. I have no doubt that he went on to join up with the jihadis. We are being ridiculously dangerously naive.

Hank | 9:48 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

We are inflicting this same terrible suffering on others in the middle east a dozen times a day. It is all wrong. It is not God's way.

Anonymous | 9:57 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

There is much that suggests the army really blew it.

Before you get on the Fox News AM radio hate band wagon, read about Ervil Morrell LeBaron. This religious murder did believe in Islam.

Stand or Fall | 10:38 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

I believe this attempt to excuse a terrorist in the midst of the US military is so shameless, at the same time shameful and so obvious that the Obama administration will stand or fall on how they handle this matter.

We have a cold blooded murderer and traitor in the US Army, whose words and above all muderous and traitorous actions had multiple eye witnesses, and we have the admitted planner of the Twin Towers attack. What else but to have this admitted and testified to publicly and execute the perpetrators without more ado. The execution should be carried out without the insult, injustice and solemn farce of prolonged appeals.

remember | 10:45 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

This is not the biggest act of domestic terrorism, not even close.
That would be oklahoma city federal building by a white man.
We all need to keep our eyes open, but lets not degrade ourselves to religous bigotry.

Mike | 11:06 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

"We all need to keep our eyes open, but lets not degrade ourselves to religous bigotry."

Unless its mormonism, than religous bigorty knows no bounds.

"AT ITS WORST"? | 11:10 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Greetings:

I reckon I'm one of those folks that the DESERET NEWS considers the "worst", because I do think we should regard all Moslems with suspicion.

Just because the majority of Moslems aren't openly violent doesn't mean they don't support fellow Moslems who are.

Islamic scriptures, history, and teachings plainly encourage violence, oppression, deviance, and perversion.

Nidal Malik Hasan acted as a Jihadist in support of, and in sympathy with, Taliban and Al Qaeda military operations by carrying out a "lone wolf" act of war behind our lines.

Military casualties at Fort Hood, Texas merit award of the Purple Heart Medal, and civilian casualties merit award of the Defense of Freedom Medal.

Furthermore, soldiers stationed at Fort Hood, Texas during the month of November 2009 are entitled to receive Hostile Fire Pay for that month.

But, first, the United States government must officially acknowledge an act of war was committed.

Will our elected and appointed officials do the right thing, or in the interest of a misguided "political correctness", will our soldiers be denied what is properly due to them?

Thank you.

John Robert Mallernee
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

20/20 | 12:01 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

The fact is that until we hear "mainstream" Muslims stand up and denounce their radical brethren, we must look upon them with suspicion. The silence from mosques around the country is deafening. If they're not willing to renounce Koranic passages and fatwas supporting the murder of infidels, then they support the practice.
Where are the moderate Muslims? Where are the courageous Muslims? Are there truly none who will stand up to the hate in their midst?
We are waiting.

Marnie | 12:56 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

I have a few questions: 1) What if anything should the military have done with Hasan when they recognized the warning signs? 2) Had they booted him out, how long would it have been before he unloaded on a Mall or an amusement park? 3) Would anything short of prison stopped him? 4) How do we determine who is dangerous and who is just dillusional? 5) Shouuld dillusional people be locked up? Just wondering

Religous Bigots | 1:19 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

I'm LDS,
and I'm so ashamed and embarassed by some the comments being posted here.

Of all the people in the world, who have been mis-treated for religous ideaology,
What I would have expected was a reaction of sympthy, empthay and understanding that the acts of one, NEVER represent the beliefs of all.

Instead, I see suspicion, hatered, out-rage and cries of biotry and revenge.

Jesus had a word for people like that
he called them HYPOCRITES.

@20/20 | 2:21 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

How many Muslims do you know? Of them, how many have not spoken up against radical militant jihadists? I don't know many but nearly all of them condemn the misinterpretations of the Koran which radicals use to justify their actions.

Just because someone on the radio says mainstream Muslims are silent, doesn't mean that it is true.

Let's turn the tables. Are you willing to renounce Biblical passages that command violence? How loud was your voice denouncing the atrocities committed against Muslims in Bosnia and more recently in Darfur?

----

With all that said, I agree with the Opinion that our effort to be tolerant shouldn't blind us from real dangers.

RESPONSE TO "RELIGIOUS BIGOTS" | 4:06 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Greetings:

Jesus Christ taught that "by their fruits, ye shall know them."

So, what are the fruits of Islam?

What are the fruits of Christianity, and in particular, The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints?

How do these two systems compare?

As a matter of fact, it is my understanding from the scriptures that we are supposed to exercise judgement in discerning good from evil.

No, I'm neither ashamed nor embarrassed for my personal prejudices, bias, preferences, or bigotry.

Those gifts from God are inherent survival instincts, generally based on experience or observation.

Yes, I do admit that I'm far from being an ideal Latter-day Saint, and I sure as Sam Hill ain't your typical Mormon, a fact the DESERET NEWS editorial staff would quickly agree with.

Failure to make necessary distinctions can be a fatal mistake, especially when the nation is at war.

You continue being embarrassed and ashamed.

I'll continue being suspicious and try to warn others.

Thank you.

John Robert Mallernee
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

To "Religous Bigots | 1:19 p.m." | 11:31 a.m. Nov. 17, 2009

Religous Bigots | 1:19 p.m.

It's ironic that your main point was... "understanding that the acts of one, NEVER represent the beliefs of all". But then you proceed to assume ALL LDS people (your self included) are under condemnation because of the postings of a few people (who you don't even know are LDS)?

You may need to do a little self-evaluation.

#1. Don't assume everyone who posts here is LDS.

#2. Don't judge or condemn a whole group based on a few people's postings (especially when you don't even know if they are from that group or not, and they obviously don't represent that group as a whole, they are just expressing THEIR opinion).

LDS or not, you don't need to feel ashamed based on what you read here. You are not indirectly guilty by association just because you are LDS. Nor should you assume that if some people (who you ASSUME are LDS) express an opinion you don't agree with... then ALL people in that group must be condemned... To think that way WOULD be bigotted.

ediddy | 8:06 a.m. Nov. 18, 2009

Speaking of red flags, does it bother anyone else here that as the slain, mostly military personnel who have taken an oath to defend our country, were saluted, only their comander in chief failed to salute or place his hand over his heart. Does it bother anyone else or am I alone in my disappointment that in such occasions, our president is reluctant to be seen as supportive of the symbols of the country he has sworn to defend. I can accept that he may not want to wear a flag lapel pin in a meeting with a foreign dignitary on their own soil, but in a memorial to his men, slain by the hand of a probable traitor? The actions of our POTUS say far more than all the words he will ever utter.

@RESPONSE TO RELIGIOUS BIGOTS | 12:26 p.m. Nov. 18, 2009

What are the fruits of Islam? You must be kidding. How about higher mathematics, philosophy, geography, advances in navigation, medicine, and the scientific method all going with full vigor while European Christians were wearing bearskins and hacking each other to death in the Middle Ages. Do you realize that you even COUNT in Arabic numerals?

No difference | 10:49 a.m. Nov. 19, 2009

Fort Hood is no different than
The killings at Columbine High School.
The killings at Lubys Cafeteria in Waco, Texas.
The killings at the University of Texas bell tower.
The killings at Trolley Square.
The killings at Virginia Tech University.
The killings at McDonald's in San Ysidro Californa.

Just somebody "going off". Religion not involved.

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