Topic: Maybe there should be periodic background checks on our military personnel.
Topic Posted by: Cindy G
Date Posted: Fri Nov 6 10:03:21 2009
Additional Comments: They are now saying that Nidal Malik Hasan might be part of some unidentified radical group. Gee Whiz and this guy is fighting for our country???
After learning about some of the background checks my nephew has gone through to become a police officer; maybe if our military personnel were checked out like our police officers are, this tragedy might not have happened.
Posted by: Camochick Date posted: Sat Nov 7 19:06:42 2009
Message:
I have been COMPLETELY out of the loop for the past week or so, so I have no idea what the story is that everyone has been talking about. Since I am in the military, I think having routine background checks may be more trouble than they're worth. We have to have one to get into the military in the first place, and we are constantly monitored by having random drug tests and every shot known to man. Because of what a lot of our guys experience at war, someone can flip out after an experience like that if they don't get help, but the background check won't make a difference.
Now, I'm sure if I knew what the story was about, maybe I would have a different answer. Anyone care to fill me in?
Posted by: Or Date posted: Sat Nov 7 9:03:50 2009
Message: I think that it is possible, just because he's a psychatrist, that he slipped through the cracks, and no one was there to recognize he's under mental/emotional distress, whether it is because of the council he gave to must have been hundered of people coming back from the horrors of war in Iraq, or because of his complicated personal background, who knows.
The guy had been in the army for years, he volunteered into the service, I'd be amazed to find out he's a part of any group, I think the guy just cracked - whether the reasons he cracked had to do with his complicated family history (he has a cousin living in the west back, who described him as a a quiet, not social guy, but one who loved his work)
Posted by: farmer brown Date posted: Fri Nov 6 15:06:13 2009
Message: The bottom line: There are unstable people under a lot of pressure out loose in the world just waiting to crack, and there are tons of easily available weapons for them to get their hands on. It's a bad combination, and I'm not sure background checks will solve the problem.
On the other hand, if more frequent and thorough background checks prevented even a few of the depressingly high number of mass shootings we seem to be plagued with on an almost daily basis, maybe they'd be worth it.
Posted by: bbyr Date posted: Fri Nov 6 12:38:40 2009
Message: What I heard on the radio is that he was going to be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan soon and did not want to go. Also, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks he was harassed by other military personnel because he's Muslim. Since then he had been trying to get out of the military but was unsuccessful.
Posted by: ingyandbert Date posted: Fri Nov 6 11:23:32 2009
Message: I heard just the opposite on the news this morning, that the shooter is not identified with any radical or terroristic groups. So who knows?
Posted by: Cassies grandma Date posted: Fri Nov 6 10:05:23 2009
Message: I have not heard that. My prayers go out to the families and friends of all affected by this tragedy.