Family: Army's grenade attacker 'driven to it'

ABC News ^ | 03/25/03 | ABC News

[nfldgirl]

His stepfather, William Bilal, who was once married to Akbar's mother, Quran Bilal, said that his stepson was resentful toward the military and had complained several years ago that it was difficult for a black man "to make rank" in the military.

BULL HOCKEY!!!! Tell that to all the excellent, professional black -- MEN and WOMEN -- officers in the U.S. Armed Forces today....what a bunch of garbage! As for those with "chips on their shoulders," bad attitudes, and whatever else keeps them down ... well, too bad!

[afraidfortherepublic]

it was difficult for a black man "to make rank" in the military

It is difficult for ANYONE to 'make rank' in the military -- after all they are looking for a FEW good men, the FEW, the STRONG, the BRAVE. This guy doesn't sound like he cuts it in any way.

[CholeraJoe]

Victim of this
Victim of that
Your daddy's too skinny
And your momma's too fat
Get over it, Get Over it

The Eagles

[Black Agnes]

We knew it was only a matter of time before this excuse came to light. I'm *shocked*, *shocked* I tell you. not.

[boomop1]

The Army is the biggest affirmative action outfit in the Military, why did he reup?

[blackangus]

Whatever happened to the firing squad?

[no-s]

had complained several years ago that it was difficult for a black man "to make rank" in the military.

There is something truly odd about this. Supposedly he was a double major in engineering (was it UC davis?) Why did he not seek some kind of officer training, even in school? Doesn't the army have some kind of comphrensive skills/aptitude testing on enlistment? I wonder what his results were?

[CholeraJoe]

it was difficult for a black man "to make rank" in the military.

Perhaps Colin Powell could enlighten them?

[The Toad]

Nothing like shoving the responsibility off on someone else. What a great comment on his upbringing.

[kevao]

Competence trumps whining.

And fragging.

[CarmichaelPatriot]

I suspect anybody who has spent as much time as he has at UC Davis (Located in the Peoples Republic of Davis) would perceive racism and racial intolerance even in South Central Los Angeles.

[dark_lord]

Not really hard to "make it" in the enlisted ranks. You take friggin written exams for gosh sakes. You study up on your specialty areas and take the test. And you can retake the test every 6 months (if you don't pass) once you have reached the number of years at that rank to be eligible. It is true that for certain ratings it is easier to make rank than others. It is also true you can get bonus points for certain hardship positions, also. But there is no race-based weighting (as far as I know.) Just the ability to learn, read, and pass a written test.

[vrwinger]

Seems to me some astute supervisors might have seen this guy wasn't fit for more reponsibility all along... Akbar is the victim in this, though.... </sarcasm>

[Tennessee_Bob]

If he did this, he was driven."

This guy apparently had a double degree in engineering and from what I've seen reported, he was upset at not getting promotions. My question is - if he does have double degrees, why the hell was he enlisted? Why didn't he get a commission?

If he was driven to this, it's because he was behind the wheel, no one else.

[Congressman Billybob]

The needed treatment for this Muslim moron was stated by John Wayne in a movie. He said, "Give him a fair trial, and a proper hanging." Only, I hope the military still uses firing squads, so he can face the rifles of real soldiers just before he goes straight to Hell.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, not yet up on UPI, and FR, "The A-MAA-zing War Wizard"

Latest book(let), "to Restore Trust in America."

[SuziQ]

His stepfather, William Bilal, who was once married to Akbar's mother, Quran Bilal, said that his stepson was resentful toward the military and had complained several years ago that it was difficult for a black man "to make rank" in the military.

Typical 'blame it on everybody else' mentality. Has this man never seen Colin Powell? Has he been watching the news conferences from Doha, Qatar? One of the Colonels presenting info to the the Press is black!

To be honest, maybe the guy should have told his former Stepfather that lazy black guys with attitude won't get far in the Army; that would have been more correct.

Apparently this guy had been in trouble for a while about his attitude and unwillingness to work hard. Those will keep you from advancing every time.

[Black Agnes]

Info ping.

[Mr. Mulliner]

If he thought it was hard to make rank as a black Muslim, he will now see how hard it is to make rank when you murder your own comrades.

[tracer]

"Driven to it," dragged from "it"..........

[Conspiracy Guy]

None of the, race, upbringing, religion, enter into the picture. In a military court you are tried for your deed and the evidence. He be toastin.