No, this looks like an act of an Islamic terrorist. but we cant say that now can we?

I agree with cj, it is terrorism-plain and simple!
The "suspect" was under investigation for web postings about suicide bombings. There is a war that is going on that is much bigger than most of us can understand, a war that is beyond our realm of understanding.

I also amend the second part of my choice to say this is just an act of a muslim terrorist.

He was also just disgruntled with the military and didn't want to go to Iraq, which could cause him to say all kinds of things.

I'm not afraid to call a terrorist a terrorist, but so far the case that this was Islamic terrorism is pretty weak.

Dollars to doughnuts, he just snapped. Think about it, a career military man, with a middle eastern name, all of a sudden is a focal point after 9/11. As was referrenced in another topic, bullying can lead to horrific acts. I'm sure he was ridiculed for his name and religion. This is an act of Islamic terrorism, as the perp is Islamic and he created a terror situation at Ft. Hood.

I dont know, this articl from the AP. makes it sound like a little more than just random.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FORT_HOOD_SHOOTING_SUSPECT?SIT...

One key question: How do you define Islamic Terrorism?

Is it any Muslim who commits an act of terror?

Or is it somebody tied to a network of people using terrorism to support religious/political aims?

Even with the article CJ links to, I'm not inclined to think of this guy as somebody tied to an organized group. His actions don't fit the pattern of AQ -- for one thing, if he were an AQ plant, he wouldn't have been so public about his opposition to the war or his own dissatisfaction.

He sounds to me like a sympathizer at some level, driven mainly out of being disgruntled with the military, who probably should have been discharged.

I am waiting to hear ALL the information before I make judgement on that, but let me say this...As a prior member of the Army myself, I am deeply saddened and angered by this. Too many of our men and women who serve this nation have died on foreign shores so that we can agree to disagree in public. To know that while this maniac, and his actions were just that, was killing his fellow soldiers, a group was celebrating their return from war is a disgrace.

There will be a war of words and theories now over the reasons behind his actions. All I can say to that is, dozens are either dead or wounded and there is NO good reason for it. He is a murderer and I don't have sympathy for murderers regardless of their last names.

My thoughts and prayers are in Ft. Hood.

It appears according to Yahoo News, that this guy was maladjusted, like you pointed out Howard. I'd say he was a "Pogue" who heard horrific war stories and didn't want to go, but was OK with gunning down unarmed soldiers. Phil is right, there is no good reason to do what he did. Our military, in my opinion, is overburdened and overextended, but this guy's action has not much to do with that. My prayers go out to Ft. Hood too.

Howard Owens wrote:
One key question: How do you define Islamic Terrorism?

Is it any Muslim who commits an act of terror?

Or is it somebody tied to a network of people using terrorism to support religious/political aims?

I'm on the side of "somebody tied to a network of people using terrorism to support religious/political aims". I'm also inclined to say it is a prolonged campaign. This sounds like a case of someone who snapped (so to speak) under the pressure. When people are put under a tremendous strain such as going to war, coming back from war, being in war...they make extremely poor choices that they might not have otherwise made. Of course, thankfully, most people don't make such poor choices, but some, who might not have the internal strength needed to choose another path, do. What happened at Fort Hood, or in any number of places-Virginia Tech, Florida, Altanta...-is very unfortunate and sad, but not terrorism. When I learned who had done this heinous act I was concerned that it would rip apart our society the way that 9/11 did.

My thoughts are with all of those who are affected.

If Timothy McVay is a domestic terrorist, then this scuz-bucket is an Islamic Terrorist.

domestic Islamic terrorist.

Howard-How on earth would a tragedy like this parlay into our military overstretched?

Seriously Howard? Really?

Until the shooter is conscious and reveals his motives, this tragedy says nothing about the state of our military, nor terrorism, nor Islam.

Very good points, Jeff Allen. Thank you.

It might say something about psychologists in general. And why he didn't get the help he needed.

Howard, how about offering a "none of the above" choice on your polls?

This speaks volumes about how religion can cloud the mind of an other wise rational individual.

He is a domestic terrorist. He can only be classified an Islamic Terrorist if one considers other nutjob mass murderers, of the Christian faith, Christian Terrorists. Was McVey a Domestic Terrorist or a Christian Terrorist?

Well put George.

I agree with you Howard that he would be classified as more of a sympathizer than a full terrorist. The problem is that we are so afraid of being accused of profiling and being politically incorrect that we have chosen to ignore the red flag signs. The FBI dropped the ball big time with this.

Bud you are way off base with the bullying comment. The guy was promoted out of necessity. I am station with fellow soldiers that are devoted muslims and they are not ridiculed at all. He didn't snap, he was convinced that America was waging war on all muslims and chose to act the way he did. The only focal point of this is that we feel we have to be sensitive and not hurt the feelings of muslims by profiling or being suspicious of them. Do not get me wrong, I do not believe that all muslims are bad, but we need to stop worrying that we may offend them if we think there is something foul occurring. Like I stated to Howard the FBI dropped the ball.