WASHINGTON—The Army chief of staff says it’s important for the country not to get caught up in speculation about the Muslim faith of the alleged Fort Hood gunman.
Gen. George Casey says he’s instructed his commanders to be on the lookout for that reaction to the killings at the Texas post.
He says focusing on the Islamic roots of the suspected shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan (nih-DAHL’ mah-LEEK’ hah-SAHN’), could “heighten the backlash” against all Muslims in the military.
Casey says diversity in the military “gives us strength.”
Casey declined to answer questions about the investigation into
the shooting, but said evidence to this point shows that Hasan acted alone. He toured Fort Hood on Friday with Army Secretary John McHugh.
Casey appeared on ABC’s “This Week” and CNN’s “State of the Union.”
luisa1948 said on November 8, 2009 at 3:12 PM
It's very clear to me. He was Muslim, he didn't want to fight against his own Muslim bretheren (terrorists), so he thought he would go out fighting against his enemies (our military, our country) period, ......
publius said on November 8, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Too late for that. Any thinking, reasonable person has already done more than "speculate" about hasan's faith.
raymon said on November 8, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Then don't say pit bulls are geared that way, could snap at anytime, or It's in their genes!
daisymay said on November 8, 2009 at 6:23 PM
If we don't learn from this attack, then how can we prevent them in the future? You have to learn from your mistakes or you are doomed to repeat them. Let's hope our government learns that they can NOT be trusted in this time of war. How many more sleeper cell terrorists are there in this country? Enough. No more American deaths. It's US or THEM. Period.
txjimmie said on November 8, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Herein lies the problem of attempting to fight a politically correct war with a politically correct Army. The guy is running around in his jadji jihad costume and no one even paid any attention.
froggie100 said on November 8, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Don't speculate?? Are they kidding?? Crazy??? No practicing muslim belongs anywhere near our military!! Get them out!!
firedog said on November 9, 2009 at 6:57 AM
tried of this pc stuff. just get the job done, period.
bearfoot said on November 9, 2009 at 7:02 AM
What's disturbing here, is that the(Army) is telling us not to speculate about this guy. WHO IS PROTECTING WHO??? You and I are just calling it how we see it and how it is.
stjakk said on November 9, 2009 at 6:27 PM
Whats there to speculate about ? One disgruntled Muslim 100 rds. 12 dead 30 injured allah akbar = Islamic Jihad.....period......................