"MADNESS! MADNESS!": OR, THE TWO PHOTOGRAPHS OF NIDAL HASAN

I shall never forget the the powerful words spoken by James Donald's character, Major Clipton, at the end of the blockbuster 1950's film "Bridge Over the River Kwai."  Surveying death and destruction, Clipton could only cry out, "Madness! Madness!"

As I consider two photographs of Nidal Hassan and as I ponder how my country has arrived at the strange state of affairs characterizing its handling of the threat of domestic Islamic terrorism, I, too, want to shout, "Madness! Madness!"

As you might recall, Hasan is the U.S. Army psychiatrist holding the rank of Major, who was convicted and sentenced to death in 2013 for killing 13 and wounding 32 individuals - all the while shouting "Allahu Akbar!" - 9 years ago at Ft. Hood in Texas.

After the completion of high school in Roanoke, Virginia, Hasan joined the Army and participated in government programs enabling him to graduate with a degree in biochemistry from Virginia Tech.  The Army then allowed him to complete a medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, courtesy of American taxpayers.  After an internship at Walter Reed Military Hospital, Major Hasan somehow qualified as a psychiatrist.

Although he was the son of Palestinian Muslim parents who had immigrated from the West Bank, the young Nidal gave no indication while growing up that he would transform from the version seen at the upper left to the demented-looking bearded figure on the right.  Nevertheless, there were suggestions in his behavior as an intern that Nidal was "not quite right."  Later, from derogatory comments about the United States and its role in the Muslim world, some colleagues questioned whether Major Hasan was an appropriate fit for the armed forces of the United States.

After the shootings at Ft. Hood, Chief of Staff General George Casey spoke out in such a manner that demonstrated that his major concern was that Major Hasan's actions would not negatively affect the cause of diversity in the armed forces.  At the same time, Anwar al-Alwaki (subsequently, a predator drone victim in Yemen) and various al-Quaeda figures were praising Hasan, calling him a hero to all Muslims. Remarkably, the Army would categorize the Ft. Hood massacre as "workplace violence."  Even more outlandish was the Army's decision that those wounded at Ft. Hood were not eligible for the Purple Heart, even though they had fallen victim at an army post to a combatant who had enlisted himself in the cause of Islamic terrorism.  And now, almost 9 years after the fact, Nidal Hasan has not yet had his punishment meted out through military justice.

At this point some key questions should be asked:
1.  Why do we not recognize the signs of Islamic extremism?
2.  Why do we not do a better job of protecting our citizens and our military from Islamic extremism?
3.  Why do we give carte blanche admittance to this country to Muslim "students?"
4.  Why do we extend welfare benefits to Muslim immigrants who voice anti-American sentiments?
5.  Why do taxpayers pay tuition from the undergraduate level to doctoral  studies for Muslims who wouldlike to kill "infidels?"
6.  Why do we do all of the above in the name of "diversity?"

And, while we are at it, let's take it a step further:
Why do we continue the enormous purchases of foreign oil from countries that bankroll terrorism?

To my mind, the two photographs of Major Nidal Hasan are enlightening, not only about Hasan himself but also about Islam and its potential for a distorting and wicked influence on susceptible personalities.  One would think that our policy-makers would recognize that present guidelines in these matters are in shambles and augur nothing but havoc for the future.  But alas, dear readers, I can only conclude that they are afflicted by "Madness! Madness!"

Deo Vindice!

John B. is a former history professor, dean and provost in higher education.