Fort Hood.

1. What are your thoughts, feelings, etc, as you read these articles?
I think a lot of these are just thinking of excuses for his behavior. Looking at his background, looking at the type of person he was, and the way he treated other people on a regular basis. It seems like they can't deal with the fact that he was just a sick evil person.
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 know if it's terrorism really. I think he was trying to get back at the people who discriminated against him and said things to him about his race, because he was in helping during war. I don't think there was a terrorist organization behind it, mostly just because of the things the other people said; things like, "he was a quiet man and kept to himself." Also because he had gone to war and served, so he was kind of fighting against his own "people" that would have created this organization for him to be involved with.
3. What role did racism or religious persecution play in this incident? Why?
Hasan felt some racism being directed towards him so I think that was definitely a factor in this incident because he wanted to get back at the people who were calling him names or making assumptions about him. I think the religious part particularly for his race, goes hand and hand because most people think that people of his race are all the same and believe in the same religion. So people would discriminate against him in both ways.
4. Do you think a lot of Muslim Americans have the same feelings as this man? Why or why not?
I think if they're being judged and accused of things just because of their race, then definitely, because no one appreciates being discriminated against. Especially if they are being blamed for things they didn't do just because of their race.
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?
I don't think there was much the military could have done. They could have possibly taken him from war. But if they did that just because he was depressed and stuff, they would have to do that to so many other people. They could have been able to tell from blogs, things he said, and the way he acted, but like I said, they would have to do that to so many other people if they just gave him special treatment.
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?
What she did was incredibly brave. By her stepping in instead of waiting for back up, she saved so many more lives. If I were put into that situation I'm almost positive I wouldn't be able to do it and I'd have to wait for back up.
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?
I think it's saying that America just can't get along with anybody. When someone in America sees a Muslim or Arab person, I'm sure the first thing that comes to mind is something racist, we think back to what happened on September 11th, or we think about whats going on in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. right now. Right now I'm sure they don't like us because we started a war in their country for no reason, and we won't leave!