Fort Hood Massacre raises the question: Was it terrorism or plain insanity?
David Angelatos
Issue date: 11/17/09 Section: Opinion
On Thursday November 5th, 2009, Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan allegedly went on a four-minute rampage at the Fort Hood military base in Texas, killing 14, (including one unborn child), and wounding 29. Hasan, a U.S. born Muslim and 39-year-old military psychiatrist, opened fire in the world's largest military base with two weapons. This was one of the worst killing sprees ever reported on a U.S. military base and, due to the alleged perpetrator's background, has evoked cries of terrorism and Muslim fanaticism.
Army Lieutenant Colonel Allen West quickly recommended that the Pentagon to do a more thorough job preventing Muslim extremists from infiltrating its ranks. West is not alone in his belief that this was an act of terrorism on the part Hasan, as many look into the alleged mass murderer's background.
Hasan was very outspoken in his opposition to war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and in the spring posted a message on the internet under his name arguing that suicide bombers are not murderers, but men who are saving Muslim's by killing enemy soldiers.
He had the word "Allah" written on his door and shouted out "Allahu Akbar" ("God is great") just before his rampage began. Looking at these facts alone, it seems clear that Hasan was a Muslim extremist committing an act of terror similar to what suicide bombers do.
There is, however, more to the story. Dr. Steven Dinwiddie, a Psychiatrist, said that mental illness often twists religious belief among solo mass murderers, not the other way around.
This, then, prompts an exploration of Hasan's character.
He was reported to have spent much time alone and to neither have many friends nor a girlfriend. Also, he had been suffering racial harassment about his Muslim background and sought to be discharged from the military over the past several years.
He was due to be sent to Iraq, and his time at Fort Hood, where troops preparing to be deployed are sent for last minute medical check-ups, was the last step before he was to be shipped out.
Army Lieutenant Colonel Allen West quickly recommended that the Pentagon to do a more thorough job preventing Muslim extremists from infiltrating its ranks. West is not alone in his belief that this was an act of terrorism on the part Hasan, as many look into the alleged mass murderer's background.
Hasan was very outspoken in his opposition to war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and in the spring posted a message on the internet under his name arguing that suicide bombers are not murderers, but men who are saving Muslim's by killing enemy soldiers.
He had the word "Allah" written on his door and shouted out "Allahu Akbar" ("God is great") just before his rampage began. Looking at these facts alone, it seems clear that Hasan was a Muslim extremist committing an act of terror similar to what suicide bombers do.
There is, however, more to the story. Dr. Steven Dinwiddie, a Psychiatrist, said that mental illness often twists religious belief among solo mass murderers, not the other way around.
This, then, prompts an exploration of Hasan's character.
He was reported to have spent much time alone and to neither have many friends nor a girlfriend. Also, he had been suffering racial harassment about his Muslim background and sought to be discharged from the military over the past several years.
He was due to be sent to Iraq, and his time at Fort Hood, where troops preparing to be deployed are sent for last minute medical check-ups, was the last step before he was to be shipped out.
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