Fort Hood Shootings

1. What are your thoughts, feelings, etc, as you read these articles?
This was certainly a tragic event that has probably flipped many families' lives upside-down. Sadly, this probably happens all too often in the military, but this just happened to be on a larger scale. About 43 people were injured or killed during this incident which is just awful to think about. I really feel for the families of the fallen soldiers because recently have experience a loved one passing away. This event was certainly horrible, but once again it probably happens more often than we really know.

2. What role do you think terrorism played in this massacre, if any? Why? Do you think that there was an terrorist organization behind the shooting?
I don't believe terrorism played a role in the massacre at all. Major Hasan, the killer, was dealing with a lot of things at once such as being shipped off overseas, listening to stories of was because he was a psychologist who helped other soldiers, and even dealing with some racism and negative comments about his religion. After not being able to handle of this anymore he probably just snapped.

3. What role did racism or religious persecution play in this incident? Why?
It played a huge role because many people were discriminating against Major Hasan because of his race and religion which in turn caused him to just lose control and snap. He didn't have a right to do that, but still the persecution and discrimination shouldn't have happened in the first place. As for religion playing a role in the killer's own desire to kill people, I'm not sure if it was a main cause or any cause at all.

4. Do you think a lot of Muslim Americans have the same feelings as this man? Why or why not?
Possibly so, but I don't know too much about the way they feel. I'm sure that many are tired of the racial discrimination and negative comments about their race or religion, but not many are crazy enough to kill people because of it. Many just take the jokes or negative comments and move on, not caring about what others have to say. They just do their job. This was a fairly rare incident, but I'm still sure that soldiers killing other soldiers from their own side happens more often than we think.

5. What do you think the military could have done to prevent this from happening? Why do you believe this? Were there signs that this man had the potential to do something like this? What were they?
The military should have had him psychologically examined in order to prevent such behavior. Also, racial and religious persecution should be frowned upon and punishments may need to be required so it doesn't happen in the military. Without punishments, people will still go on with their old ways. This man clearly had something wrong with him in the head because of how some of his blogs had evidence that he thought badly about the way the US was doing things and how outrageous some of his comments were. People should have taken notice of his bizarre behavior sooner.

6. Talk about the leadership of Kimberly Munley (the woman who stopped the shooter). What did she do? How would you have reacted in the same situation?
Munley was the one who took the gunman down. I'm not sure many people have the bravery and courage to put themselves on the line at a time like this and save countless other lives, but thankfully she was there during this time and took charge by engaging in a short-range firefight that ended with her and the gunman being injured. She probably saved many other lives that day which is something we can all be thankful for. It's good to know that there are leaders like this in our military.

7. What does this incident say about race relations in America? Specifically with Arab-Americans and Muslims? Is there a reason that Muslims and people from the Arab world feel a certain way about America?
The articles say that there are still major disagreements and conflicts between the Arab/Muslim world and America. The Arabs and Muslims in America also get several negative comments about the war just because their religion or race. This incident certainly didn't help these relations. It may have invoked more conflict among the two constantly fighting sides which is very sad. Muslims and Arab people have negative views about America just because of the war and everything, but also because they have several negative comments directed at them that create hostility.