Workplace Violence Label Means Fewer Benefits for Fort Hood Heroes

This is a story that should need little explanation.

On November 5, 2009 members of our military were gunned down by an Islamist Extremist shooter. The president and his administration have told us the war on terror is a war against a small but extreme group of religious zealots yet, they chose to ignore the shooter’s affiliation with radical Islam. Though the shooter had numerous exchanges with known terrorists, particularly Anwar al-Awlaki labeled by this administration as a leader of global terrorism with ties to al Qaeda (and who was ordered killed in a US lead drone attack) the Fort Hood Massacre was categorized as workplace violence.

Stars and Stripes: Classifying the shooting as terrorism will allow the victims to receive combat-related special compensation that provides disability pay for medically retired service members. The victims also would be eligible for Purple Hearts and medals for valor.

Watch this interview with one of the survivors:

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Numerous witnesses, including those injured stated that Hasan shouted, “Allahu Akbar,” before he began shooting. Thirteen soldiers died (including one pregnant soldier) and many wounded during this personal jihad. Following the shooting known terrorist leader  Anwar Awlaki declared Hasan a hero, as “fighting against the U.S. army is an Islamic duty”.

But maybe you haven’t seen the whole story of the events at Fort Hood. The story has not been widely publicized. You can watch a chilling account of what happened as told by survivors of that horrific day:

Workplace violence or an act of Terrorism?