Make You Proud To Be An American?

[Ferd]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

I am proud to be an American and this story does make me proud.

It would have been a knee-jerk, emotion-based response to issue the fallen Soldiers in this case a Purple Heart.

They shouldn't have died. To call it a tragedy would be a misnomer. However, they didn't earn Purple Hearts in their deaths.

Furthermore, it would indicate that Major's guilt before his trial which he is legally entitled to receive.

Then, honoring the dead with Purple Hearts could in a twisted way give credence to this Major's demented way of thinking.

He wasn't at war with his comrades and any ridicule he may have experienced, he had to know that would happen BEFORE he joined the Army. That doesn't make it right to respond the way he did, obviously. In fact, it indicts him for responding the way he did. If he uses the taunts and verbal abuse he experienced as a defense, he'll be simply strengthening his motive to respond in the twisted way he did.

I don't think he'll get the death penalty.
I'd sentence him to 100 years of hard labor.
To sentence him to death would make a hero out of him, in at least in the eyes of some idiots.

There are some sideline aspects here that ought to be considered. The Purple Heart carries with it a commitment by the government to insure those harmed are cared for as long as they need care. In this case, as I understand it, because they are not designated as such, those that were wounded to the point they can no longer serve, are put out with little or no access to the care their wounds need.


I could be wrong about that, but I think I remember hearing something from one of the survivors making this case.


That being said, you bring up a very valid point that must be considered. That being designating these people as Purple Heart recipients, will in fact, look like the government is convicting Major Hasan befor his trial. I would prefer, they try him as a terrorist instead of trying him as a case of workplace violence. However, I am not sure which way is easier to get the proper convictions. I am for easy in that case.

I think we should all serve notice that once the process plays out, that these people be taken care of, and after the trial, consider changing the designation to Purple Heart.