Army-base violence on the rise

I was disappointed to see the Nov. 6 article “Shooting suspect faced deployment, wanted out” [page one] seemed focused on the wrong issue regarding this tragedy.

Instead of focusing on the religion of this man, the root cause should be examined, because I for one am not convinced that his beliefs and his actions were related.

Nidal Malik Hasan was of the Muslim faith, but what occurred was by no means reflective of his faith. Over the past several months, there has been a rise in violence in and around army bases in the U.S., and religion cannot be the common cause.

The trauma these soldiers of all faiths suffer should be addressed by the media, as well as the doctors working for the Army, who often prescribe large doses of Zoloft to soldiers diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Maj. Hasan had never seen active duty. He had heard the stories of returning soldiers, and this disaster demonstrates how deeply violent trauma can affect a person.

I believe that for the good of the people — both soldiers and civilians — the U.S. Army needs to put more of an effort into truly helping soldiers who have been affected by wars.

— Logan Greenfield, Burien

All Muslims, not just a few, should denounce violence

In the wake of the Fort Hood massacre, the media and authorities are debating whether or not this is an act of terrorism by a sane man, or the result of mental defect.

The Muslim community has spoken out, and their dichotomy is whether or not to fully condemn the act, along with concerns that this will further erode Muslim relations with non-Muslims.

As for the Muslim community’s reaction, there are some who are outraged and concerned only about the victims, others are more worried about how this tarnishes Islam.

Thirteen people were killed, yet this latter group, on talk shows and blogs, talk about how persecuted they are, how persecuted Nidal Malik Hasan must have felt, and the backlash against the Muslim community.

Muslims should be outraged at someone taking the name of Islam and desecrating it; they should not voice an almost narcissistic concern about how they had hoped the shooter wasn’t Muslim, for such shows disinterest in the victims.

When Hasan, or any other Muslim, starts talking about killing infidels, they should be exposed and excommunicated. Until all mosques and Muslims, not just a select few, make it a priority to distance themselves from Muslim members who advocate violence, there will continue to be a great divide between Muslims and non-Muslims.

Terrorists are sane people who can rationalize and justify indiscriminate killing. Hasan rationalized and justified indiscriminate killing, and Muslims and non-Muslims must condemn this with an equal voice.

— Caleb Powell, Seattle

Christianity wasn’t cited in McVeigh’s bombing

To condemn Islam for the attack on Fort Hood would be the same as condemning Christianity for the attack on Oklahoma City by Timothy McVeigh.

Neither had anything to do with the religion, but everything to do with troubled military men who did not get proper mental-health care.

McVeigh was put to death; the other man is in a coma.

Americans should mourn, and then do better by our broken soldiers.

— Bert Schulz, Redmond