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To: papasmurf
as a result of an international terrorist attack

Which this wasn't.

Given that militant Islamists consider Islam to be a nation, unbounded by geography, I would argue Maj Hassan considered himself to be a citizen of Islam, acting on behalf of the nation of Islam, and attacking his enemy.

Had this happened in 1943, and the perp been an agent of Nazi Germany, would that qualify?

Second question. Had Hassan been a "jihad of one", an "Al Qaeda wannabe", but a non US citizen located in the middle east, and attacked a military formation in the middle east, would that count?

Many of those dead an injured thought they could possibly be shot or killed by a radical Muslim, who supported Al Qaeda, and viewed America as his avowed enemy. That is exactly what happened.

The idea enemies must belong to regions within lines on maps is 20th century thinking.

2001 ushered in a new millennium. In more ways than one.

70 posted on 11/17/2009 7:14:47 PM PST by magellan
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To: magellan
"I would argue Maj Hassan considered himself to be a citizen of Islam, acting on behalf of the nation of Islam,..."

The wording and the intent of "an international terrorist attack" is clear..."When contemplating an award of this decoration, the key issue that commanders must take into consideration is the degree to which the enemy caused the injury. The fact that the proposed recipient was participating in direct or indirect combat operations is a necessary prerequisite, but is not sole justification for award.
...and this just doesn't measure up.

Let's not make the Purple Heart a victim of politics, which is what the Congressman wants to do. I understand his motives, to box 0bama in. I have no problem with that, but not at the expense of a Medal that has been historically awarded to those who really did suffer wounds in defense of our Nation. Those victims at Ft. Hood were sacrificed because they were Americans, not because they were in direct or indirect combat.

The dual cause being fought for here, recognition of sacrifice and damaging the illegal usurper, are noble and important (and necessary), but using the Purple Heart as a tool is just wrong.

Do you really want to degrade the importance and meaning of the Purple Heart?

As I said, we need a new Medal for these types of attacks. A Medal that, at the mere mention of it's name, is immediately associated with injury due to anti-American terrorism, and not confused with combat.


74 posted on 11/17/2009 8:43:32 PM PST by papasmurf (RnVjayB5b3UsIDBiYW1hLCB5b3UgcGllY2Ugb2Ygc2hpdCBjb3dhcmQh)
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