It has been one year since Major Hasan opened fire at Fort Hood.
That he's alive is a sad result of the realities of marksmanship under fire. Aiming while bullets are hitting you isn't as easy as movies make it look. Police Sergeant Kimberly Munley did all we could ask, and I honor her dedication and performance of duty.
That Major Nidal Hasan is not yet a convicted felon stripped of his commission and possibly awaiting execution is a condemnation of the system, in that such a seemingly obvious slam dunk has to be handled so cautiously so at to provide no excuses for this perfidious betrayer-of-trust to use to beat the system and somehow walk.
Of course, the fact that Major Hasan still had a commission and was thus able to walk into that building legitimately wearing his uniform after being saluted by fellow soldiers is a sad indictment, too. That Hasan had a chain of command who still placed an implicit trust in his "patriotism, valor, and fidelity" as evidenced by he still held his rank and position is an even greater condemnation of his various and sundry chains of command, and, as importantly, an overall command climate in the Service which contributed to and framed that failure.
Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam of Mr. Michael Cahill, Major Libardo Caraveo, Staff Sergeant Justin DeCrow, Captain John Gaffaney, Specialist Frederic Greene, Specialist Jason Hunt, Staff Sergeant Amy Krueger, Private First Class Aaron Nemelka, Private First Class Michael Pearson, Captain Russel Seager, Private First Class Francheska Velez and her baby, Lieutenant Colonel Juanita Warman, and Private First Class Kham Xiong. May their shades and their familiies find peace in the outcome of the trial.
That he's alive is a sad result of the realities of marksmanship under fire. Aiming while bullets are hitting you isn't as easy as movies make it look. Police Sergeant Kimberly Munley did all we could ask, and I honor her dedication and performance of duty.
That Major Nidal Hasan is not yet a convicted felon stripped of his commission and possibly awaiting execution is a condemnation of the system, in that such a seemingly obvious slam dunk has to be handled so cautiously so at to provide no excuses for this perfidious betrayer-of-trust to use to beat the system and somehow walk.
Of course, the fact that Major Hasan still had a commission and was thus able to walk into that building legitimately wearing his uniform after being saluted by fellow soldiers is a sad indictment, too. That Hasan had a chain of command who still placed an implicit trust in his "patriotism, valor, and fidelity" as evidenced by he still held his rank and position is an even greater condemnation of his various and sundry chains of command, and, as importantly, an overall command climate in the Service which contributed to and framed that failure.
Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam of Mr. Michael Cahill, Major Libardo Caraveo, Staff Sergeant Justin DeCrow, Captain John Gaffaney, Specialist Frederic Greene, Specialist Jason Hunt, Staff Sergeant Amy Krueger, Private First Class Aaron Nemelka, Private First Class Michael Pearson, Captain Russel Seager, Private First Class Francheska Velez and her baby, Lieutenant Colonel Juanita Warman, and Private First Class Kham Xiong. May their shades and their familiies find peace in the outcome of the trial.
covered by bullet resistant items while being transported to and from the courtroom.
We all are praying for the families involved.
Sine Nomine
*Moment of silence*
A very shameful and unnecessary Amen, as the Army leadership has totally failed to condemn the cause of this attack, the perpatrator or his motivations. Instead they tiptoe down the path of political correctness pretending not to see the obvious.
Worse, they have taken exactly the wrong course to prevent another attack (perhaps by multiple attackers), by doubling down on their "no guns" policy which criminals and jihadis laugh at and ignore, instead of allowing legally carried self defense weapons by the good guys.
If signs can stop jihadis, just post a "no guns" sign on every street corner an Kabul and call our troops home, their job is done. The thruth, however, is that high velocity application of lead and copper to the body of the enemy is the only permanent solution. We ignore that at our peril.
Libation after I'm done driving for today. May their families eventually find peace.
As for firearms, especially with this being a time of war, why not unilaterally authorize active-duty servicemembers wear of a sidearm and a couple magazines? Seems like the easiest possible security boost, and if budget is a problem, allow civilian-purchase stuff, so long as it's in a suitable pattern of holster.
SrA Roesler
My brothers and sisters, may you rest peacefully in the arms of the Lord.
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot.
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
(apologies to Beth and Bill, and any other Romans here present)
That he has not yet been hanged speaks more about the Muslim in Chief and some Perfumed Princes and Princesses in the military than it does about the military legal system. Including the military "Legal System" which is refusing to permit Col. Lakin to verify the legality of the Muslim in Chief's orders. The stench is overwhelming.