I figured I’d let it sit a bit and see if anyone else mentioned it, because if I do it is Anti-American slander, but perhaps nobody is aware or interested?
Fort Hood, arguably the largest military base on Earth, has been subject to a mass killing of 11 with 31 more injured, one gunman dead and 2 others suspect.
This is a horrific incident and not unique to the US or US military tensions. I don’t think it’s an example of the US military, a detriment to their training or mental capacity, it is just a few of many tens of thousands of trained personnel, who simply seemed to snap.
My heart goes out to the families who were already wary of their sons and daughters fighting a war and being in grave danger, only to find out that their own brothers on their own soil had ended their lives. Nothing could seem more tragic or senseless to their parents, who will never accept of be appeased by any explanations or answers they receive.
My reason for posting is twofold, one is to offer my deepest sympathies to anyone on the base, the parents and relatives of the soldiers who fight for their nation; though such small words would never have any bearing on this tragedy.
Secondly punishment: Now as one gunman is dead, his punishments need not be discussed. apparently there are two others who were also involved though, and are in custody.
Questions: IF and that’s a VERY big if, these two men are also found guilty of murder, shooting fellow US soldiers on their own base, how will/should it be handled?
Considering that this is Texas:
If they are guilty of murder, of a fellow soldier or any civilian too I suppose, will/should they be incarcerated by the army? Will/should they spend life imprisoned?
Will they be sentenced to death, as any other person found guilty of mass shooting would be?
or do you think that because they are soldiers, and because they are subject to additional stresses most citizens are not, will/should they be excused to a certain degree, have reduced sentences, spend life in jail, be put into psychiatric care etc?
At this point it is pure speculation, they are not pr oven guilty of a crime and should not be treated as such.
however this is a ‘what if’ situation.
What if they are guilty?
What WILL happen, what SHOULD happen?
Once again, I am very sorry to hear of this incident, in the US or anywhere else for that matter.
I make no implications of inadequacy on the part of the US military, I blame no training or soldiers, just the men who decided to execute their brothers in arms.
However will a patriotic, military overtone overlook or excuse the real, criminal actions of this man(these men)?