Asymmetric Military

Besides the loss of life and casualties and the horror experienced by family and friends of the deceased; I hate these mass-murder events for the meaning that people project onto the incident.

Because the left in 2009 doesn't perceive of Muslims as an ideological enemy, liberals have been mostly mute on the issue, except for the occasional gun control utterance. Now, if Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan had had Glenn Beck's station on one of his car stereo pre-sets, progressives would have gone nuts.

Some liberals might still brush off some of their hatred onto Christians by blaming religious fanaticism in general, Hitchens-style. Desires to lump similar but significantly different phenomenons together are either an attempt to unjustly deflect or assign blame or a sign of ignorance.

By the way, materialism also causes people to die. The Orlando shooter killed because he was bankrupt. Or, he lacked money.

I recoil from conservative commentary on this issue as well. We have pro-gun people who suggest that guns would have saved some lives. Perhaps. But, just like we should accept the wisdom of Army leadership when it comes to Afghanistan and Don't Ask Don't Tell, we should trust their judgment when it comes to guns on base.

Yes, Maj. Hasan is a Muslim and he probably was religiously motivated. Unless you plan on doing something about it, however, people shouldn't make a big deal about it. For example: If Muslims in general are so violent, should we ban them from serving in the military? If you're not prepared to follow the logical course of your argument, then don't bring it up.

"I'm just trying to point out liberal hypocrisy"

Well, OK. It's fair to mention that once in a while.

The only learning thing to take away from this tragedy is that the Army should take anti-Army soldier statements from soldiers more seriously.