Posted by Ken in South Pleasanton, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Nov 5, 2009 at 3:00 pm

Thanks Cool,

I've visited Fort Hood several times in recent years to visit relatives serving in the Army, all of whom spent time in IRAQ or AFGHANISTAN. I was surprised when reading the CNN report you linked to that they actually printed the name of the slain gunman (Maj. Malik Nadal Hasan). It will be interesting to learn whether they confirm there were other gunmen working with Maj. Hasan. It will also be interesting to listen for how many mainline news services fail to mention the name of the slain gunman in deference to his obvious middle eastern connection - political correctness is important. All that cynicism aside, my prayers will be with the families, units, and soldiers involved in this horrible act. I'm sure other readers of the Pleasanton Weekly will join in whatever way they deem appropriate and meaningful.

Posted by Big Poppa, a resident of the Del Prado neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 2:52 am

At least six months ago, Hasan came to the attention of the FBI because of Internet postings about suicide bombings and other threats, including posts that equated suicide bombers to soldiers who throw themselves on a grenade to save the lives of their comrades. This was a TERRORIST ATTACK by a American Muslim extremist on American soil.

Posted by Stay Cool, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 10:08 am
Stay Cool is a member (registered user) of Pleasanton Weekly

It is devastating that members of our military would be attacked on our own soil, on our own base, by our own citizen. As a country we need to rally around our armed forces to show our support for their efforts.

I do feel it is important to point out that there has been *no* mainstream media coverup of the name, habits, or background of the suspect in terms of what is known so far, as had been suggested above.

Posted by Sue, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 10:31 am

Who cares if they named the gunman, he didn't care what he did or who he shot. The real sad part is he is still alive. They should have polished him off then we wouldn't have to worry about wasting time and money trying him in court. They know he did it, slam dunk.

I do believe it was a Terrorist attack, no questions asked. Just like 9-11, those other Terrorists were taught how to fly a plane on US soil and this Terrorist was paid by the US Government to get his education, then he wanted out of the service. If his beliefs were such that he didn't believe in war, he shouldn't have joined the Army. War is not something anyone enjoys, but we don't always get to do everything we enjoy.

God Bless the families that lost their loved ones and our soldiers and the Police Officer that lost his life.

Posted by resident, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 10:41 am

They do have an article about this person's background:

" he objected to his own looming deployment and argued with fellow soldiers who supported U.S. war policy, say those who know him professionally and personally.

He was a counselor who once required counseling for himself because of trouble he had dealing with some patients"

"While an intern at Walter Reed, Hasan had some "difficulties" that required counseling and extra supervision"

"At least six months ago, Hasan came to the attention of law enforcement officials because of Internet postings about suicide bombings and other threats, including posts that equated suicide bombers to soldiers who throw themselves on a grenade to save the lives of their comrades.

They had not confirmed Hasan is the author of the posting,"

"In an interview with The Washington Post, Hasan's aunt, Noel Hasan of Falls Church, Va., said he had been harassed about being a Muslim in the years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and he wanted to get out of the Army."

The above are just a few quotes from the article. The full article is here:

Web Link

Posted by Snapshot, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 11:45 am

This is a terrible tragedy and should not have happened. For a Soldier, an officer to boot, to murder 13 innocent fellow soldiers is just incompressible to me. That this was allowed to happen is just pain inexcusable. We now know this man was a known threat and no one did anything.

My heartfelt and sincere condolences to the family, friends and comrades to those whose lives were taken by this man.

May God give you comfort as you grieve the loss of your loved ones.

Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore, on Nov 7, 2009 at 2:37 pm

There are always tragic consequences that are the result of war. This is just more of the same...tragic.

In my opinion, it's not about Muslim anything. Wars impact everybody and on every front.

Wars continue to prove that life is very delicate and only takes a few seconds to lose it.

War has no mercy.

Posted by Jerry, a resident of the Oak Hill neighborhood, on Nov 8, 2009 at 1:34 am

Prediction: If he lives, this dude will not spend one punitive moment in a military prison. He will plead insanity and be sent to a medical care facility, which is far from "prison life"...

If sent to a regular "military prison", he wouldn't last very long unless he was kept in total solitary confinement...