82 Comments

1. John Frary:

The US State Department link gives access to 9 pages in Bureaucratarian about appropriate strategic terminology. Gave me much pleasure on multiple levels.

Nov 14, 2009 - 8:14 am 2. Cristina:

Thanks for the linguistic bit. I didn’t know what “Nidal” means, but, as soon as I heard the killer’s name, I thought of Abu Nidal, the Palestinian terrorist known for his cruelty and the founder of Fatah. You are absolutely right: no recruiter with some education should have allowed this guy into the military. Or maybe the recruiter was educated but high on PC, which annihilates all education and common sense.

Nov 14, 2009 - 10:02 am 3. Instapundit » Blog Archive » ROGER KIMBALL: Where are the Purple Hearts? Some truths about Fort Hood….:

[...] ROGER KIMBALL: Where are the Purple Hearts? Some truths about Fort Hood. [...]

Nov 14, 2009 - 10:17 am 4. Letalis Maximus, Esq.:

The Crusades lasted about 600 years. If we think this will be over in our lifetimes, we are delusional.

Nov 14, 2009 - 10:30 am 5. seanLA:

“His administration is devoted to transforming the jihadist war against the West into a civilian conflict.”
This might be good news. As I know many people who would do a better job than the `military’ taking this conflict to the streets.

Nov 14, 2009 - 10:36 am 6. Nick Reynolds:

The crusades never ended for Islam . . . and yes, most of our current leaders ARE delusional.

I had a Muslim friend who explained that the United States was a ‘mistake’ of history and it was the ‘responsiblity’ of Islam and all Muslims to correct that mistake. I consider him to be my enemy.

Nov 14, 2009 - 10:58 am 7. ronnor:

It fortunate that there was a civilian police officer to take the pig Major Hasan down otherwise Obama would of had to arrest the offending service man for shooting a Moslem; an apparent military offense if he’s wearing a uniform. I’ve noticed that the rat Major hasn’t been charged with treason yet, what’s all that about.

Have you seen the picture of our President bowing again, take a look, disgusting; the groveler and posterior kisser.

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2009/11/024948.php

Nov 14, 2009 - 11:05 am 8. Max:

@Cristina While I agree that Nidal Hasan should definitely have been caught and dealt with long before this occurred, since he was known to the FBI, but as far as I know, his transition to radicalism happened while he was in the service; what you are suggesting about recruiting practices goes beyond discriminating against religious groups to only being concerned with last names. So if we were to have an army recruit with the last name Princip, you would, out of fear for his radical ideas about how Austro-Hungary should be governed, demand that he not be allowed to be in the military?
Or are you just saying that anyone with a last name that seems middle-eastern should be viewed with a careful eye, and have limited choices for employment and enfranchisement? Because I’m sure that would make the whole population of people with such surnames very pleased. Certain to gain allies that way.

Nov 14, 2009 - 11:05 am 9. zfredz:

I am reminded of this bumper sticker I saw some months back:

“SENSITIVITY HAS CRIPPLED AMERICA”.

Nov 14, 2009 - 11:32 am 10. Pajamas Media » Fort Hood, KSM, and Obama’s 9/10 Mentality:

[...] Read the entire story here. [...]

Nov 14, 2009 - 11:36 am 11. DWPittelli:

I think you stretched your thesis a bit far if you meant that having the given name “Nidal” should disqualify one from the Army. First, because the Army is looking for warriors. Second, and more importantly, because none of us should be held to account for the choices of our parents. (If, as would have been the case with a Muslim convert, Nidal had chosen this name for himself, then that would be more significant.)

Nov 14, 2009 - 11:40 am 12. Daily Pundit » So What Happens If…?:

[...] Roger’s Rules » Where are the Purple Hearts? Some Truths About Fort Hood New Yorkers, too, will be able to rest more easily now that the Obama administration has decided to remove 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other terrorist conspirators from the jurisdiction of the military and hand them over to a New York criminal court to be tried. Are you interested in learning how to transform a mass murderer into a totemic hero for America’s enemies the world over? Stayed tuned. President Obama is just about to show you how it is done. Former Attorney General Michael Mukasey, speaking at the Federalist Society’s National Lawyers Convention yesterday, rightly blasted this return to a September 10 mentality that supposes “acts like the first World Trade Center bombing [in 1993], the attacks on our embassies in Africa and other such acts can and should be treated as conventional crimes and tried in conventional courts.” Not only will this disgorge a “cornucopia” of sensitive intelligence information to public scrutiny, but it will also provide other jihadists with a tempting target of opportunity. [...]

Nov 14, 2009 - 11:41 am 13. CJ:

The cheapest and most effective way for these new internal enemies of America to try to cripple her is to shield and protect the enemies she already has.

I lose no sleep over the islamists. But my mind churns out many productive thoughts each night regarding the real enemy.

Nov 14, 2009 - 11:54 am 14. Poor Citizen:

No. 6 Nick

With friends like that… who needs enemies eh?

Interesting point about the purple hearts. I never would have considered that, but I guess it could be feasible. Wounded in the line of duty? I would think it qualifies, though not while engaged in operations in a war zone, against an enemy. I still think the guy was off his rocker and a criminal which does not necessarily qualify someone as an enemy of the state. Does it?..

Some things to consider there…to be sure.

Nov 14, 2009 - 11:58 am 15. PapayaSF:

Mr. Kimball is largely correct, but he slips up on the word “jihad,” which really does have multiple meanings. It can mean “inner struggle,” but it can also mean “holy war.” And to Muslim homicidal maniacs, “holy war” can mean killing anyone you want.

Nov 14, 2009 - 12:00 pm 16. ETAB:

The Obama decision to try the terrorists in a New York civil oourt is such a blatantly evil decision that it leaves me stunned. It is an anti-American decision. It has nothing to do with justice; nothing. It is a purely political decision.

1) Those on the left are defending it as ‘it will showcase the value of the American Justice system. Rubbish.
The American justice system is not now and has never been at question. There is therefore no need to defend it.
AND – that’s their only defense! A non-issue!

2) So, what’s it really about? It is one thing only. It’s a political strategy with ONE agenda. One agenda.

This has two parts: part one is to Bash Bush; this will satisfy the blood lust of the leftist crowds who are feeling let down by Obama’s weakness in their Pet Values of gay marriage, attacking the CIA.

Its other part is to make the American people feel guilty by showcasing America as The Cause of Islamic jihadism.
Result? Vote for post-Bush Obama.

3) Therefore, it is really a political strategy to DIVERT attention from the disasters of Obama’s presidential reign: his deficit, his pork-stimulus, his cap-and-trade, his health care..all of which are bankrupting America and doing nothing positive.

It’s a political strategy to counter the growing voices of the Town Halls, the Tea Parties (whom Obama himself denigrates by calling them TeaBaggers)..The Tea Parties are growing, are continuing, and that massive Tea Party in Washington, which the Obama Gang are pretending didn’t happen…has deeply worried them.
This is their response to the Tea Parties, the Town Halls, more and more open criticism, to FOX, to the American people who Dare To Criticize the Great Master, Obama.

4) What does he do with their criticism of Him?

He puts the American people on trial. That’s what he does.

They’ll manipulate the MSM so that this is ALL that will be talked about, the evil Pre-Obama regime…and the disasters of the Obama regime will barely get any air time.

5) Then, there’ll be the threats against America as this trial incites jihadists around the world. This trial will scream from the Islamic Press pages – and be used to recruit more and more terrorists.

There’ll be threats; there’ll be even attacks. These will be used as evidence of the Evils of the Bush era, and Obama will give noble speeches: ‘We Have Changed; This is Post-Bush; there is No Need to Attack Us. Oh..and Vote For Obama.

6) And think about it – the COSTS. Millions and millions, paid by the American taxpayers, for the lawyers for these terrorists. Millions for the security of them. Millions as well, for the security of New York. And what about the jurors? Will they and their families receive death threats from jihadists around the world?

A political campaign..paid for, not by the Democratic Party but by the American people.

Obama has done more to divide the American people than any president. He used race during his campaign, and continues to do so. He’s divided them politically, with his administration rejecting bipartisn work.

He’s cut Congress off from the people. Congress is supposed to represent the people and therefore, they must READ and DEBATE bills. Obama denies them this duty and insists that they pass His bills without reading or debating them. He treats Congress as his rubber stamp..not as the representatives of the People. The people have no representation anymore.

And now, Obama is dividing the people into Pre-Obama and Post-Obama. The Pre-Obama people are those who support Bush, who are deemed as the Cause of Jihadism…

This ‘trial’ is a blatant political agenda to function as an integral part of the next Obama campaign. It’s all about Power. Obama power..and has nothing to do with justice. Or American safety. Or the value of America.

That’s what it’s all about. Disgraceful, despicable. And frankly, Evil.

Nov 14, 2009 - 12:05 pm 17. dark Jethro:

“So if we were to have an army recruit with the last name Princip, you would, out of fear for his radical ideas about how Austro-Hungary should be governed, demand that he not be allowed to be in the military?”

It is not 1914, this isn’t Austria, and Princip managed to start a war that killed as many as 15 million people WITHOUT enlisting. What is your pathetic point?

Because we were not vigilant, 13 people are dead. It is outrageous that we are more concerned with imaginary backlash than the lives of our soldiers.

Nov 14, 2009 - 12:10 pm 18. AH:

Being killed or injured “in the line of duty” does not necessarily qualify a person to receive the Purple Heart. Deaths or injuries from accidents or even murder may be determined to be “in the line of duty” (which establishes eligibility for certain benefits), but yet not qualify for award of a Purple Heart.

Rules for awarding a Purple Heart are very specific and strictly construed. Generally, a Purple Heart award requires (1) bodily injury requiring medical treatment at the time, which is (2) sustained as a direct or indirect result of, and while engaged in, action by an enemy or hostile foreign force.

The rules detail various types of qualifying enemy/hostile actions, including “international terrorist attack against the U.S.” This was the basis for awarding the PH to members killed or wounded on 9/11.

The deaths and injuries at Fort Hood are almost certainly “in the line of duty.” But whether those killed or injured may qualify for a Purple Heart will depend on additional facts about the nature of the attack.

Nov 14, 2009 - 12:15 pm 19. Insufficiently Sensitive:

It’s time for the updated Reformation of the Catholic Church of Political Correctitude. On the door of each one of its branches – academia, media, public employment – we must nail 95 Theses of common sense.

These theses will mercilessly expose the corrupt indulgences which so-called ‘victims’ have extorted from society in the form of preferences, percs, undeserved promotions – and the muzzling of discussion of relevant facts.

Big heavy loud hammers, big ugly rough nails, and immediate video productions of these nailings straight on to YouTube.

Nov 14, 2009 - 12:51 pm 20. ahem:

If you object to this travesty, go sign this petition:

Text of the petition:
http://www.keepamericasafe.com/?page_id=1822

Signing Page:
http://keepamericasafe.com/petition_signup/

Nov 14, 2009 - 1:00 pm 21. misanthropicus:

God damn’ America!

Bringing the terro-s to NY for trial – a fine day for reverend Wright, a fine day for Bill Ayers, a fine day for Phlegger, a fine day for Tom Hayden, a fine day for Jane Fonda, a fine day for the Nobel Prize committee, a fine day for Chavez, a fine day for Fidel Castro, a fine day for Cindy Sheehan, a fine day for Mumia Jabal, a fine day for Michael Moore, a fine day for all who so tirelessly work at this country’s destruction -

A fine day for dba Obama, who, after setting this infamy in motion, now can freely talk about himself and his vision in Japan, Singapore, China, etc. -

Yet another ugly, ugly day for our fellow Americans serving in the military forces in Afghanistan, whose needs are cynically ignored by Obama whose chief political objective is to have the name of Kandahar be replaced by Saigon #2, no matter what –

Phenomenal is mister Obama’s despise for America, and the persistence he shows in inflicting damaging acts upon this nation is equally formidable -

Bringing the terro-s to New York, on America soil for a long, unnecessary and damaging for America trial is beyond pale – it’s an authentic act of sedition -

And this gross, anti-American mascarade that the dba Obama administration is goes on relentlessly – the fall guy, Eric Holder (who anyway has good credentials when it comes to freeing terrorists to fulfill Democrat party needs), after moving to harass the CIA and thus diminishing our country’s defense, is now giving the dream break to Taliban to exercise (via American taxpayers’ money), their propaganda from an US District Court -

And this anti-American move occurring on the same pattern – dba Obama away, somewhere in the world, ranting about being the first American Pacific president (??), while his minions in the country, Holder, Bauer and Cie. are dilligently implementing here an agenda that the 3rd. Reich, the 1940-s Japan, or the Khruschov’s Soviet Union never dared to dream that would be possible –

Yes, we can! Boy, pround I am I am not a democrat – and does Obama fulfill the worst expectations ever projected on him!

Nov 14, 2009 - 1:01 pm 22. slc sailor:

I don’t think that this attack qualifies under the requirements of the Purple Heart, although I would support the expansion of the requirements to include this. It fails under at least three requirements: death or wounding in ACTION against an ENEMY of the United States, as a result of an act of a hostile, FOREIGN force, or as a result of an INTERNATIONAL terrorist attack.
No evidence has surfaced of a direct link between to killer and a foreign force that would fit the last two requirements. Also, as far as I am aware, neither the Constitution nor statute allows actual citizens to be formally defines as enemies of the state. Even traitors are still only citizens that are unlawfully cooporating an actual enemy.

Nov 14, 2009 - 1:07 pm 23. sol vason:

Anyone who has been to Afghanistan or Iraq knows there are Muslems you can trust with your life and those you cannot.
Hasan did not change this fact. He did remind us forcefully that the government is an unreliable source for telling us whom we can trust. But nobody is stupid enough to trust the government.

Trust, but verify.

Nov 14, 2009 - 1:23 pm 24. Pedrosito:

I wish Americans could take a look at what Islam is all about. There founder was a warlord, a child molester, a caravan raider and thats his positive attributes.

Nov 14, 2009 - 1:31 pm 25. John "birther" Samford:

Actually, it’s not just this administration but the previous administration and the ENTIRE government. Barring a few members of Congress, ALL the bureaucrats refuse to accept the plain and simple fact that Islam is at war with everybody else, including America.
That is why Muslims divide the world into two houses, the house of Islam (believers) and the house of war. This concept is so far out of the box to westerners that those in power just refuse to believe it.
Misguided self interest has a lot to do with it. The people that run America are control freaks, right down to their core being. Having a Religion of over 1 billion humans in conflict with them is a problem they have no way of controlling. So the powers that be just ignore it and hope it goes away. I think the term used by P-Shrinks is denial.

Since this war isn’t about fighter jets, tanks, artillery and other tools of war, the west has very little chance of winning it. Unless, of course, we make it about B-2 bombers, JDAM’s, F-22 fighters and Abrams MBT’s. Then we cannot lose. Politicians don’t want this war to go hot, because then they lose control. Once the Dogs of War are loosed, there is no turning back. Eventually, the voters will get tired of it and vote in someone that is willing to loose the dogs. That will solve one problem and create many more. Hopefully the new problems will be more susceptible Western mental processes.
Something like dealing with 200 million bodies is right up our ally.

Nov 14, 2009 - 1:33 pm 26. HalifaxCB:

Roger – what a dumb article. So we should ban folks from the military on the basis of their names? How about “Roger” – that means a “famous spearman” – normally a warrior, but it has other less savoury imterpretations as well.

Or maybe Muslims should be banned from the military because one who shared their heritage became a traitor, or because those that share their bloodlines are on the opposing side of this war? Do yourself a favour, go read up on the 442nd Infantry – America’s most decorated unit.

Hasan was a jihadist, and certain brass absolutely failed to do their duty. Both need to be dealt with severely. Deal with the real problems, and leave the race and culture baiting to the other side.

Nov 14, 2009 - 1:33 pm 27. John "birther" Samford:

Casey’s name will go up there with Westmoreland, Clark ( either/both) Lucus, as some of the worst Generals America has produced. There is a whole long lit of those. The USA system is designed to produce Flag officers that are politicians, since becoming a flag officer is a political act.
On the plus side a Flag officer who can handle both the political and Military aspects of his job is normally exceptional. Just very rare.
To be an exceptional General, it is a requirement to know when to disobey the politicians. That was what made both Patton and MacArthur exceptional. It is what made Schwartzkopf and Casey mediocre. It also requires great moral courage, since if the General is wrong, he gets the chop. If he’s right, he gets forgiven and becomes famous.

Nov 14, 2009 - 1:46 pm 28. richardB:

What is Obama hiding?
Don’t jump to conclusions.
Slow down on the investigation.
We can be sure that it’s not going to look good for him.

Nov 14, 2009 - 1:51 pm 29. Cristina:

Max
Spare me the “discrimination” phony piety. Thirteen soldiers lost their lives because of it.
Discrimination is a necessary fact of life, especially when in danger and in war. I bet your next choice of vacation is not going to be Somalia, the Yemeni Republic or Iran… They discriminate against Westerners/Christians as a matter of course. They lock them up and throw the key away(I leave it to your imagination what happens in those lock-ups…)

Anybody of Muslim descent in the military should have been closely scrutinized, especially after 9/11. It’s not discrimination. It’s common sense and self-defense. It doesn’t take rocket science to figure out that a soldier named Gavrilo Princip (or even Adolf Hitler) is much less likely to go bonkers (read Jihad) on his fellow soldiers and country. The guy started frequenting the Islamist Dar al-Hijrah mosque round about 2001.

I say, bring back common-sense, rational discrimination on the basis of evidence. Western civilization has survived through knowledge, inquiry, and evaluation (read: discrimination) of facts.
Don’t be fooled by Max’s apparent emotional appeal to “racial/ethnic/religious equality.” The anti-discrimination ideology exemplified by Max attempts to dull and eventualy kill off our liberty of thought–which necessarily includes discrimination between good and bad, sane and insane, rational and irrational, practical and utopian.

And, please, please, stay away from anybody who uses the word “disenfranchised.” He/she is likely to be very, superbly “franchised.”

Nov 14, 2009 - 2:15 pm 30. LupusSolus:

My fellow soldiers who were injured in the terrorist attack on a disco in Berlin were awarded the Purple Heart. The precedent has definitely been set.

Nov 14, 2009 - 2:19 pm 31. NCBob:

To me, Chimpy the Kenyan’s objective is clear. As he approaches the 11/10 election and all the world now knowing that he is all hat and no cattle, he has to change the subject. What worked for him before? Banking on Bush hatred worked for him. And,that’s what he is doing.
Bringing KSM to NYC and trying him in a US court will pit KSM against Bush, his staff and his beliefs.
Unfortunately for the Kenyan, this campaign will only accentuate what a great American Bush is and what a dumb, lazy Kenyan Obama is.
Sure, KSM will get off but the process will work against Obama, so much so, that eventhe captive media will see the light and turn on him.

Nov 14, 2009 - 2:40 pm 32. carla:

The picture of Obama bowing to the Emperor of Japan sums it up: Obama is not up to the job. He is quick becoming a national embarassment. That this guy is CIC scares the shit out of me. That this guy is responsible for the protection fo me and my family is a Steven Kink tale ofhorror.

Nov 14, 2009 - 2:53 pm 33. Cristina:

HalifaxCB:

I would ban any fervent, ideological Muslim from service in the military at this point. No question about it. Jihadi ideology can be easely discerned, if you are not high on PC(P).

Nov 14, 2009 - 3:07 pm 34. Xanthippe:

A quick Google search on the name “Nidal” shows that it means “struggle” which is different than “warrior.” At any rate, interesting article, but that name bit detracts from the rest.

Nov 14, 2009 - 3:17 pm 35. Soda Jerk:

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum OR There’s more’n One Way To Fight An Enemy (or Skin a Cat)
——————————————————————–

I too watched Gen. Casey’s CNN “mea culpa” capitulation. But I actually felt sorry for the guy.

You could feel that he was embarrassed by what he was mouthing. He probably went home after his public address and puked all over the place.

Reminds me of the FBI chief cavorting with the likes of the treacherous CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) several years ago, all in the name of “diversity” which is really another word for “appeasement”.

Or the couple of times a sitting US president was basically forced to attend the “Breaking of the Fast” feast to commemorate the end of the “holy” month of Ramadhan at some naboob’s or other “embassy” in DC.
[Arabo/Islamist "culture" is really great to write about because you get to use so many murky quotations marks.]

(Come to think of it, you could quote with your fingers if you spoke rather than wrote.)

We may as well be prepared for similar Ft. Hoods in the future.

That’s where all this is headed. Better sacrifice a few good men than to risk the wrath of an Islamic backlash.

In other words, it’s accepetable to enlist a megalomaniac Islamicst mental-case terrorist for the sake of diversity than it is to enlist an outspoken gay regardless of the latter’s patriotism, skills, etc.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens when a gay Islamo-fascist tries to enlist.
We’re in a jam and there’s no way out of it. At least, not yet.

Just a couple of more items:

The whole Islamic world, particularly the Arab Islamic world, is made up of inhabitants such as Dr. Nidal Hasan. If you think Dr. Hasan was in any way exceptional to your typical man in the “Arab street”, pay a short visit to Cairo or any large Arab city. It’s an eye opener and a jaw dropper.

Finally, a small linguistic correction to what Mr. Kimball was told regarding the name NIDAL.

Not to get too complicated, but NIDAL should actually be spelt NIDHAL. But because DH is an Arabic letter that doesn’t exist in English, often it’s just spelt NIDAL).

(Riyad/Riyadh {the Saudi capital} is another example of this).

NIDHAL (nidaal) is actually the abstract noun meaning STRUGGLE (inter alia).

COMBATANT would more correctly be a MUNADHIL (munaadhil)

[However, there is another Arabic term sounding much the same]:

NIDAL (nidaal) (using a “regular” D). This NIDAL (nidaal) means “servant who waits on table”……a much more appropriate “name” for the murderous Psycho of Fort Hood.

Nov 14, 2009 - 3:52 pm 36. JED:

The left-right polarizing debate from ground zero was A:It was a criminal event or B: It was an act of war. Was it a man made disaster or or an act of terror? Evidence seems to have been set aside in the throes for political power.
The great gambit in the upcoming trial is if KSM and crew could be released on a technicality, Miranda Rights, confession by torture, or not sharing evidence, for examples. That would show the world the wonders of the American justice system and affirm the new age of apology.
The Fort Hood murder, until proven otherwise, should be considered a probe of soft target defenses. Looking for a motive supports the civil criminal mindset. The motive of jihad is jihad. There is no analysis for insanity.

Nov 14, 2009 - 4:06 pm 37. John "birther" Samford:

“Certain to gain allies that way”

Max, with “allies” such as Major Nutjob ( wanted to use Major Major but that has already been claimed) who needs enemies?

Max, are you bright enough to understand why Enemies are better then allies? Since I doubt that you are, I’ll explain.
Enemies can be trusted. You know they bear you ill will and will do you harm at the first opportunity. So dealing with enemies is just a matter of keeping them in front of you and not giving them an opportunity to do you harm. While looking for something lethal to hit them with.
Allies on the other hand, can stab you in the back, which is nearly always fatal. That means you cannot trust your allies.
Unless, of course, you like being stabbed in the back. Liberals MUST enjoy the process, since they keep voting for politicians that stab them in the back over and over again.
Fortunately for Liberals, stab wounds are seldom lethal to animals with large bodies and small brains. Nature’s way of leveling the playing field, I guess.

Nov 14, 2009 - 4:13 pm 38. biblio44:

“Back when he was capitulating to the dwarfish tyrant that rules North Korea, President Obama….”

You must be referring to Obama taking N. Korea off the terrorist-state list. Oh! … never mind.

Nov 14, 2009 - 4:34 pm 39. Jaladhi:

What a great article, Roger!!!!

This should be sent to all those in low-lying media, commonly known as main stream media, and our leaders who suffer from PCTS(Political Correctness Stress Syndrome). Poor guys may be able to learn what disease they are suffering from. May be then they can go to Hasan for treatment.

Nov 14, 2009 - 4:35 pm 40. HalifaxCB:

33. Cristina:
My sentiments exactly, and (better yet) more concisely

Nov 14, 2009 - 4:35 pm 41. Jaladhi:

Correction:
What a great article, Roger!!!!

This should be sent to all those in low-lying media, commonly known as main stream media, and our leaders who suffer from PCSS(Political Correctness Stress Syndrome). Poor guys may be able to learn what disease they are suffering from. May be then they can go to Hasan for treatment.

Nov 14, 2009 - 4:44 pm 42. Cristina:

Oops. I meant “enfranchised” at # 29, whatever the heck it means, though “franchised” sounds tasty and toasty.

# 35 Soda Jerk:
Brilliant.

Nov 14, 2009 - 5:22 pm 43. westerncanadian:

The decision to move Islamic terrorists from military to civilian courts tells me one thing. “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” was actually a documentary program, not a comedy show.

Nov 14, 2009 - 5:45 pm 44. Roark:

Obama and Holder both should be tried for treason. If that psychophant pervert Mohammed never were born we wouldnt have to deal with this whole islamic cock and bull.

Nov 14, 2009 - 6:22 pm 45. Cristina:

Jaladhi:
I don’t think it’s a disease.
I lived the equivalent of PC every day in my former commie life. It was partly abject, gut-wrenching daily fear of not being seen as partisan and slavish enough to the Great Leader, or else…
But that was not real PC. Real PC came in when someone didn’t simply go thru the ritual motions and shouted “Long Live Stalin/Whoever” or “Death to Americano-Imperialism” and waited for the circus to be over and go home from a workers’ “union” meeting. It came in when that someone “plussed” on the scripted scenario to score ideological points and get a double ration of oil and sugar and tea, and turned it into pure hysteria, getting up and “dennouncing,” say, a fellow worker as an imperialist saboteur who had the audacity to complain about his boss–a commie–getting to work drunk every day and not being able to tell a screw from a file.
Sounds like dark comedy, doesn’t it…

Nov 14, 2009 - 6:56 pm 46. Lou Gots:

Ealier comments have correctly framed the issue of whether the PH is appropriate for the Ft. Hood Jihad victims. Personally, I would allow it. Humanity has been at war with this atavistic barbarism for 1400 years. That Purple Hearts were awarded to active duty 9-11 casulties strongly supports giving them for this case.

It is possible for a casulty to be simultaneously the result of enemy action and criminal activity. Examples of this would be the Malmedy massacre and the Bataan death march.

Nov 14, 2009 - 7:01 pm 47. Mad_as_H:

Can we start impeachment proceedings now?

Fight back. Cancel your newspaper and cable subsriptions until 2010 election is over. If you don’t like the outcome, keep them cancelled until 2012 is over and Obama is either impeached or defeated.

Fight back. Be sure to get good tax advice, but try to file late – close to the next election. Current Revenues are DOWN 18% from projected income. We can do more.

Fight back. Join conservative groups (e.g. Heritage Foundation; TeaPartyPatriot.org)

Fight back. Give to political opponents of Pelosi, Reid, Frank, Schumer, Dodd and any other liberal regressive that is running.

He IS a muslim – last 20 seconds are SCARY.
utube v=tCAffMSWSzY&feature=player_embedded

Nov 14, 2009 - 7:43 pm 48. Paul:

I would ban any fervent, ideological Muslim from service in the military at this point. No question about it. Jihadi ideology can be easely discerned, if you are not high on PC(P).”

GOOD!!! Let’s start with the commander in chief of all US military operations (whose leadership skills are unquestionably mythical at best).

Nov 14, 2009 - 8:30 pm 49. Lorenzo Poe:

After someone yells “God is great” if he doesn’t immediatly yell “Beer is good…. and people are crazy” its a terrorist attack!

Nov 14, 2009 - 8:32 pm 50. J.A. Williams:

With all due respect to Mr. Kimball, really? First, until today–November 14th–there were no formal charges made in regard to the massacre at Ft. Hood. So if we believe in due process in this country–and I assume Mr. Kimball does (I certainly do)–we should recognize that any commentary about the events that transpired at Ft. Hood, President Obama’s included, have been made with a certain circumspection. In civilian circumstances that circumspection would persist until a conviction had been made but the US military, when prosecuting crimes, does not operate under the presumption that an individual is innocent until proven guilty. This makes abundant sense to me for various reasons, but we should recognize that the military does at least operate under the assumption that an individual is innocent until charged.

Second, according to Mr. Kimball the events at Ft. Hood are clear evidence of an Islamist terrorist threat to the United States and in the larger case he makes the first item of evidence is September 11th. No mind that eight years have transpired between the attacks of September 11th and the massacre at Ft Hood. For Mr. Kimball they are inextricable, both informed by the tenets of a faith that includes millions of people in its fold. But if we’re looking at a law of averages–rather than the cheap anecdotal narrative that Mr. Kimball employs (cheap not so much because the anecdotes are bad but because the narrative he employs is ridiculously trite)–there has been, so far as I am aware, only one massacre motivated by what appears to be Islamist extremism (remember, innocent until charged).

Beyond that, why is it so difficult to acknowledge that the suspected perpetrator of these acts is a plain lunatic? Lunatics find ways to justify their lunacy. It was CS Lewis after all–probably the 20th century’s greatest apologist for the Christian faith–who told us that we should not mistake a masochist who wanders into a church for a saint. Likewise we should not mistake a psychopath who professes a certain faith for a holy warrior.

I have long admired Mr. Kimball’s work–I find him a bracing and incisive critic of so much of the intellectual cant that circulates in our culture–but here I find him a grotesque caricature of the savvy and smarts that so much of his other observation manifests.

Nov 14, 2009 - 8:40 pm 51. Zoe Brain:

Were Purple Hearts awarded (retroactively) to Union casualties in the Civil War? If so, then there’s precedent. If not, there isn’t.

Nov 14, 2009 - 9:03 pm 52. Marina:

Thanx to the Black Five – http://www.blackfive.net

One of the best “testosteron driven” songs every patriot should be pleased to hear:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTs6a0ORdQU

Nov 14, 2009 - 9:27 pm 53. sam:

All the muslim soldiers should take their military oath on the koran.The ones who would have problem with that are the bad ones.The rest would be sure to stay loyal.

Nov 14, 2009 - 9:48 pm 54. dphorstick:

There should be a General Court Martial because of this event. There should also be some serious time spent at Leavenworth. This was a major failure of leadership.

Nov 14, 2009 - 11:09 pm 55. Purple Hearts For Fort Hood Fallen « ricketyclick:

[...] Roger Kimball makes the case. Will the soldiers whom Hasan killed or injured in this latest terrorist assault receive the Purple Heart? [...]

Nov 14, 2009 - 11:24 pm 56. JB:

Political correctness kills.

Nov 14, 2009 - 11:48 pm 57. Pajamas Media » Why Won’t the Obama Administration Acknowledge We Are at War?:

[...] terrorist mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, will be brought to New York City in order to face criminal charges in a civilian court. These terrorists, who wish to attack us and the freedoms which form the basis for our system of [...]

Nov 14, 2009 - 11:58 pm 58. Pragmatist:

Diplomatic protocol states that Heads of State have equal standing so
1) The Obamantion and his advisers are STUPID.
2) As Head of State he represents the USA so the Obamantion BOWING to Japanese or Saudi Heads of State as he also did is the USA ‘kow towing’ to them and acknowledging the USA as being INFERIOR to the Japanese and the ARABS.

Hows all that HOPENCHANGY thing for you now moonbats and INFERIOR beings you still love your BOGUS POTUS Mohammedan USURPER.

Because its patently obvious he does not love YOU America

Nov 14, 2009 - 11:59 pm 59. Pragmatist:

If you think that Political Correctness and Multi Culti mumbo jumbo will be the only problems with trying the Mohammedans at Fort Hood and the 9/11 Sheik consider this.

Why is anyone the least bit surprised if you had half a brain and a Computer connected to the web you would have KNOWN since the get go that the Obamanation is a Mohammedan . All the evidence is there on the web and in black and white in his OWN book. So along with his promise to STAND WITH and PROTECT Islam there are his freudian slips when he talked about ‘MY Muslim Faith’ and he is also on record as being able to recite the Islamic Shahadah is perfectly accented ARABIC (no wonder he can because he studied ‘mengagi’ the study of the correct pronounciation of Koran Arabic at school too) he is also on record as saying ‘The islamic call to prayer is the MOST beautiful sound on earth’ how very CHRISTIAN of him LOL.
ONLY Mohammedans are allowed to take Koranic Studies in Indonesian schools if they tried to make Christians take it there would be riots and blood on the streets and in the Obamantions OWN book he tells a story about ‘Being chastised by the Teacher for pulling faces in KORANIC STUDIES’. So what does that make Obambi well two things 1) We KNOW he was/is a Muslim 2) We KNOW he is LIAR as he is on record as saying ‘I have ALWAYS been a Christian’
QED

IMPEACH HIM NOW

Nov 15, 2009 - 12:02 am 60. Pragmatist:

If any self deluding Conservative thinks that the Trials of the TRAITOROUS Major and the ENEMY COMBATANT NON American 9/11 Sheik will ever mention Islam at all think again. Just look what happened with OJ’s murder trial where Political Correctness, Black RACISM and Affirmative Action saw the POLICE being put on trial not the MURDERER and a colossal miscarriage of justice was the result.
Now Political Correctness and the Mohammedan BOGUS POTUS’s and the PC MC moonbat Islamophile Dems hatred of America will ensure that the trials will focus on the MILITARY, the CIA, the FBI, BUSH and CHENEY and that ISLAM will be given a free pass.

Dont believe me just wait and see.

Nov 15, 2009 - 12:15 am 61. Dave:

this guy was born to Palestinian parents. He was, indeed, radicalized as a child. There is no way he SUDDENLY came to believe all this crazy stuff just in the past few years. It is a lifetime of ideology with him.

He joined the army because it was a taxpayer funded education and an easy job, and I don’t doubt he was proud of it. Sept. 11th changed all that, but it didn’t START his ideological journey.. it only clarified in his own tortured mind who he was and what he believed.

Nov 15, 2009 - 5:11 am 62. Polemicscat:

Thanks for this post, Roger. As strange as
it may seem, our national salvation depends on connecting the dots for people who can’t see the patently obvious.

Nov 15, 2009 - 7:28 am 63. Credit Man:

The term “radicalization” in use to explain a muslim’s actions is a pure farce. Islam has all of these actions embeded in its tenants of faith. Thus a muslim is not radicalized. He does this a part of his faith.

Nov 15, 2009 - 8:10 am 64. Bohemond:

” (If, as would have been the case with a Muslim convert, Nidal had chosen this name for himself, then that would be more significant.)”

As in the case of a Navy sailor court-martialed for espionage, a convert who chose the name “Abu Jihad.” And nobody noticed?????

Nov 15, 2009 - 9:06 am 65. Anonymous:

Purple Heart, yes. It’s a matter of principle. If they decide “no,” that definitely says something too.

Nov 15, 2009 - 11:02 am 66. Ron:

Well on 5-10-1967 6 Air Cav. Troopers were
killed when their Chopper fell from the sky and burst into flames on returning from inserting Combat Troops into a Hot LZ, they all burned to death that day, “NONE” I say again” NONE” received the Purple Heart.
My brother was one of them.
I think you get my point!
Ron H.
4TH INF.DIV. Vietnam 66/67
Combat Veteran

Nov 15, 2009 - 11:32 am 67. John Calomiris:

Drop everyone,including Pres BO ,the generals, one pay grade.Then the public will know we are serious about the Ft Hoo d disaster

Nov 15, 2009 - 12:09 pm 68. anonymous:

27. John “birther” Samford: “To be an exceptional General, it is a requirement to know when to disobey the politicians. That was what made both Patton and MacArthur exceptional.”

Ah, yes. When the pols told MacArthur to leave the Philippines, he said, “No, dammit, I’m staying with my men!” As for Patton, maybe he was right and all our vets suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders just need a good slap in the face.

Nov 15, 2009 - 12:13 pm 69. Elliot:

#50 :
J.A. Williams, I believe there is rather too much evidence to suspend judgement and this site is a “court” of public opinion, not a court of law. As to whether Obama was being circumspect, I did not find him particularly circumspect in the Gates affair. In fact, he rushed to judgement and I don’t find him hesitant when it comes to prejudicing the public against those he dislikes. Furthermore, I consider anyone who kills innocent, unarmed people a loon. However, could anyone have been more psychologically damaged than M. Atta? Do you have difficulty finding Atta a terrorist ? Hasan was functioning and able to pre-meditate these murders. I believe that dis-qualifies him for an insanity plea.

Nov 15, 2009 - 3:39 pm 70. seansarto:

So how many soldiers and officers promotions and evaluations were affected by this psychiatrist’s “diagnosis” before his subversions came to the surface? Thereby steering the agenda of the command.

Nov 15, 2009 - 5:00 pm 71. Soda Jerk:

Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent. (L. Wittgenstein)

Ask not of things which, if made known to you, may cause you trouble. (Koran: 5: 101)
——————————————————————-

# 50 J.A.Williams

Try as I might, I couldn’t see that your critique of Mr. Kimball’s piece made any sense…..at all.

Your 1st paragraph was a such an exemplar of rambling incoherence that I nominate it to be included as a verse, perhaps even a chapter of the Koran.

Your 2nd paragraph was even worse. To quote:

“No mind that eight years have transpired between the attacks of September 11th and the massacre at Ft Hood.”

You mean to tell us you believe there have been no terrorist attacks somewhere in the West between 9/11 and Ft. Hood?

If that’s what you believe, just stop reading this. You’re beyond redemption.

Perhaps you’re a former or current student of “Professor” Juan Cole (Ol’ Man Cole) at UMichigan or one of his deranged epigones now roaming the disgraced halls of academia.

In any case, I strongly suggest that you take a sobering look at the following:

http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/11/fort_hood_and_the_academic_apo.html

which states, among other interesting facts the following:

“Yes — but the 14, 374 terrorist attacks worldwide over the past eight years weren’t perpetrated at random by members of diverse world religions. They were executed by radical Muslims, every one.”

That’s fourteen THOUSAND attacks.

Read ‘em and weep.

Or better yet, follow the advice on top of my little diatribe here.

You get to choose from 2 unimpeachable sources. Take your pick.

Nov 15, 2009 - 5:48 pm 72. myth buster:

51. What do you mean retroactively? The Purple Heart was commissioned in the early days of the Republic; during the American revolution, I believe, or else shortly afterward.

Nov 15, 2009 - 7:32 pm 73. Michael Fernebaugh:

#35, #71
Soda Jerk,
Thanks for the insightful and informative comments from an Islamic and Middle East scholar.
CELEBRATE DIVERSITY!! Even if over our dead bodies.
Even the US military finds itself ensnared in the pernicious tentacles of diversity, the bane of higher education and the shame of the media.
Tell us more about Islam, O Soda Jerk, even if the truth embarrasses the deceivers.

Nov 15, 2009 - 8:18 pm 74. J.A. Williams:

Elliot,

First, you’re right, I think, to note that we’re operating in a court of public opinion here but your comment that there is “too much evidence to suspend judgement” is unsettling. After all, “the court of public opinion” is often meant as a pejorative term. That’s why we have courts of law, right–to allow for a cool-headed and rational assesment of the evidence rather than reflexive anger to dictate the terms by which justice is administered; and the comments on Mr. Kimball’s article, and the article itself, seem full of knee-jerk anger of the kind that all of us should find disturbing, even in the court of opinion.

Second, you write that you consider anyone who kills innocent people a “loon”; Questions of circumstances aside (were the pilots of the Enola Gay lunatics?)I tend to agree but the insanity plea has long been a part of American and English jurisprudence. Its application and the decisions pertaining to it have been vexed to say the least but we should acknowledge its traditional place.

Do I have a difficulty calling Hasan (who has now been officially charged)–based on what the news has reported–a terrorist? Yes, I do. First, the term is notoriously difficult to define but my understanding of it is this: an individual who harms civilians or non-combatants in order to advance a political or ideological cause (I’m open to a better definition but I’m pretty comfortable with this one).

Hasan seems, again from what I’ve read and heard, to have been motivated less by a desire to promulgate a political or religious cause than personal grievance. Jihad–in THIS instance–seems like a convenient cover for personal malevolence. How often it is in other circumstances is another question–though one well worth considering.

My point is this: when we automatically assign Hasan to the category of “terrorist” we duplicate the mistake of all of those officers and evaluation boards that gave him a free pass for fear of looking anti-Muslim. Which is to say, we assign him to a category rather than observing the hard facts of personal instability and disturbance. Why do we have to assume the perpetrator of these acts was a terrorist in order to recognize how horrific they were?

Nov 15, 2009 - 10:42 pm 75. Annie B:

I am amused by the photo – in which the *macho defender of Islam TM* appears to be wearing a woman’s teeshirt. (Oval cut necks with 3/8″ bands are not produced for men. FYI)

Nov 16, 2009 - 12:50 am 76. Harris Tweed:

no. 74 “Do I have a difficulty calling Hasan (who has now been officially charged)–based on what the news has reported–a terrorist?”

“Based on what the news has reported”? Which “news” are you speaking of? NBC, which is an affiliate of the Obama administration? The “news” wants us to believe that Nadal is just some guy who went off his rocker, ignoring the fact that he was conversing with a known “radical” imam, and ignoring what is going on in the rest of the world..

Nadal acted on his beliefs as a Muslim. He is a faithful son of “the religion of peace.”

Still, he is an American soldier and should be treated accordingly — as a coward and a traitor.

Nov 16, 2009 - 7:03 am 77. Elliot:

J.A. William,

Re: too much evidence to suspend judgement.

Why would this be “unsettling” to you ? Although I am not offended by the general tone of your response or that you have a differing opinion, I am somwhat offended that you have inferred that I have no respect for the rule of law or would wish to subvert/undermine US courts of law and due process .No, I am not “disturbed”, concerned that I, or anyone here, will unduly influence the prosecution of this individual. I have no fear that legal justice will not proceed as expected. I am greatly disturbed, however, by military service members giving diversity more import than human life. I am more than disturbed that the media feels it is their place to show us the way to respond, to manipulate an outcome that they preceiveas more favourable to their personal mind set.

The media has overstepped its bounds in filtering information and by attempts at tamping down rightous public outrage. Actually, I see that they, and you, are overreacting to the public seeing this as a clear example of one more terrorist act.I feel insulted and disrespected by people who see it as their duty to shape my thought. No one elected them to the position of thought police.

Reference to the “Enola Gay” is hardly fitting. You can’t disregard the circumstances and context matters.

Re: the insanity plea.
I really can’t understand why you would be making this argument. I have said nothing to imply that it doesn’t have a place in our legal system.

I do not find the acts of terrorism to be an elusive or hard to define concept. Those that do are using weasle words to either rationalize (excuse) such acts or diminish the signifigance of these acts in order to lull the world populace into apathy concerning them.The same thing is happening in the instance of Maj. Hasan.People want us to assume it was just another guy going postal at his place of work and let it slip from our memories.Atta was a socially dysfunctional , a loon, but a terrorist as well. They are not mutually exclusive by any means as we have seen in the past. No need to stress ourselves overmuch in concluding that.

Nov 16, 2009 - 8:48 am 78. Tina Trent:

Fine. Let them try to terrorists in federal court. But try them for federal hate crimes, as they should, if they are not too craven to avoid making the charge (they will be too craven, of course).

So long as we have hate crimes laws on the books, they need to be applied with some pretense towards objectivity, right? Disturbing comments by our Attorney General aside, the powers-that-be of the hate crimes movement promised us that these laws would apply to all incidents of hate, no matter the victim. Or the offender. Only the bias will count, they told us. All bias will count, they claimed (except towards women, and white men, it has turned out in practice). This will not be a bill revisiting historical prejudices, but fighting prejudices that arise today, they said.

So why aren’t the 3,000 Americans killed on 9/11 being counted as victims of ethnic/nationality based hate?

Why aren’t those 3,000 memorialized in the all-important hate crimes statistics, the raison d’etre for the entire movement?

Except, because the last thing the hate crime activists want to admit is that hating Americans is the most dangerous, virulent form of hatred — by a gap of thousands of lives — threatening innocent people in our country today.

Nov 16, 2009 - 10:28 am 79. John McLachlan:

The trial will indeed be a media sensation. The defence lawyer will attempt to sway the jury by blaming Bush and the US government. Effectively, the President Bush and the US government are to be put on trial. The defendant, however, will have the choice between acquiescing in a defence of “insanity”,an insult to his self esteem, or quoting passages from the koran which justify or require his action. Perhaps this is an opportunity to have a public debate, with muslims included, about whether the koran justifies murder of non-muslims or any abbreviation of what we consider their fundamental human rights. If a self-styled jihadist quotes the koran to justify murderous attacks upon innocents, then muslim scholars can either support or condemn his actions according to their religious texts. They can state categorically that he misrepresents the koran, justifying their claims,or concede that he is a pious muslim, as he would claim. Whichever they do, the trial could become a watershed in world affairs, because in a trial likely to be given even more coverage than OJ Simpson an Michael Jackson, the coverage given to the koran, about which most people know very little will ensure that everyone has a better appreciation of islam, its similarities to and its differences from Christianity. It will allow a better appreciation of whether the democratic west can co-exist with islam, or whether peace is only a temporary respite, to be used as preparation for the next war. An informed electorate usually makes better decisions.

Nov 16, 2009 - 12:35 pm 80. seansarto:

(were the pilots of the Enola Gay lunatics?

If a nation mandates military training as a part of one’s educational development for all of its citizenry, is there any such thing as “innocent civilians”? The US tries to distinguish this in its society by not mandating such training (thus establishing the “innocent civilian”)…Yet even then, the US is not so insensible enough to eschew a “draft” when necessitated. Perhaps the US has become too naive in its “goodwill”…

Nov 16, 2009 - 2:46 pm 81. tom jefferson:

Did those military servicemen who died or were injured on 9/11 when the pentagon was attacked get the purple heart? I dont know, but a good journalist should find out. I believe they too deserved one as do these soldiers at Hood. Anyone know?

Nov 16, 2009 - 3:19 pm 82. Rich Rostrom:

Here’s a point you may not have considered: awarding the Purple Heart to the Fort Hood wounded might imply that Hasan’s attack was an act of war against a military target – which is generally not considered “terrorism”. Do we want to go there?

There are some precedents to be considered. Were Purple Hearts issued to those wounded in the attack on USS COLE? “tom jefferson” mentions military personnel killed or wounded on 9/11. There was at least one incident of a traitorous U.S. soldier attacking other soldiers at a base in Iraq, with several soldiers killed or wounded; were Purple Hearts awarded after that?

As to your general point about Islam. Yes, there is a stifling layer of political correctness which denies the link between core elements of Islamic belief and jihadi terrorism despite irrefutable evidence.

On the other hand… the jihadis have killed more Moslems than anyone else (except maybe the Russians in Chechnya), and more soldiers from Moslem countries have died fighting jihadism than Americans. Pakistan alone has lost about 3,000 men killed fighting the Taliban; the Algerian army has lost many men fighting their murderous Islamist insurgency; and a lot of Iraqi and Afghan soldiers have died fighting alongside Americans.

To declare that Islam itself is essentially hostile would be to validate the jihadists’ claim and make enemies of all those people. Do we want to go there? I am afraid we may have to; but it’s not a decision to be made lightly.

Nov 16, 2009 - 10:23 pm

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