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Carter To Introduce Bill Giving Fort Hood Victims Combatant Status
Central Texas Congressman John Carter plans to introduce legislation next week that would give the soldiers and civilians who were killed or injured in the shooting at Fort Hood the same legal status as troops injured in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan.
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They are just trying to give them a purple medal for the sake of giving them the medal. I agree with the benefits but the medal, NO. The medal would mean nothing if we hand it out like candy. That means they would have to hand out that medal to ALL military members who die or get injured at the hands of their comrades.
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I have mixed feelings about this....
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We are at war, or were, against Islamic Extremists. One infiltrated the ranks of our Military because of PC blindness, and he killed 13 and wounded countless others. Sounds like they were in a combat zone and that we are setting the stage for a 5th column that we are not prepared for nor have the will to fight.
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I believe this is a good idea. Some parents were stay at home parents because it's extremely hard to work when then other parent is away from home for extended periods of time. If nothing is given to them then they have no way to move forward to restart their lives. I've been there, I'm a single mom who started from nothing and have accomplished so much by myself and it's a hard world. In this economy you need help and these people were killed by a terrorist. When he turned his back on his comrades he became a terrorist and the victims and their families deserve so much.
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To Eugene: Yes, when the "major" shout Alluhui Akbar, he forswore himself as an American soldier, and allied himself with the terrorists. At that point, he became the enemy. I hope he is SHOT for Treason, and the soldiers who lost thier lives and were wounded get any recognition / benefits they desrve as being recipients of ENEMY fire. - a 19 year still active duty CPO, USN
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I think this is the correct thing to do, regardless of what some of you other people think/write/say!!! PERIOD!!!
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FOR WHAT ??? there are policies in place that DICTATE the rules , WHY do we think we have to CHANGE them ALL the time to FIT every SITUATION ??? Carter just looking for PUBILICITY !!!
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Are these people any less dead or injured because it didn't happen in a named war zone? They were serving their country in their assigned area.I would definitely call the psycho major an enemy combatant. I don't think it was a friendly fire accident!
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There really is not a problem here ...right? I mean come on... let it happen. "Political" or not it does not matter. They were getting ready to deploy anyway...
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Why? This is a misguided attempt at catharsis by a politician. None of these people were in a designated combat zone, nor is Hasan an enemy combatant. He is a crazed murderer who financed his own rampage because he was a coward. This is nothing more than politcal theater at the expense of those of us who served and were wounded in actual ground combat. I hate that this man has done this.
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Sine Maj. Hasan was charged with murder, the determination has already been made that this was not a terrorist attack. This will just causes more issues and problems and not accomplish anything. Its a nice gesture on his part but not real feasible.
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Actually yes they have proven terroristic ties they have also shown he was apparently getting wire transfers, this was an outright terroristic attack on our military members Dale are you ready to tell the children and spouses of these members that their loved ones arent heros and werent attacked by a terrorist on Fort Hood??? it doesnt matter if it is overseas or here in our backyard (literally) an attack is an ATTACK and they died while going through the process to deploy,On 9-11 they were not but they were attacked by terrorist so explain to me and the rest of the world just WHAT you THINK a Terrorist ATTACK is? I would really love to know.
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I call it terrorism and I agree with Sen John Carter. There is NO question in my mind about the intent. If this isn't the enemy, then who is? I am frustrated this is taking so long to call it what it is. Hasan had time to plan this out otherwise why would he give his things away? Not only does he deserve stripping away his commission but the name "soldier" as what soldier would kill his brother? I care about the victims rights including the murder of an unborn child.
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As a spouse of a veteran, I feel for the family, but this is not right. Even though our politically correct society goes by feelings rather than good sense, we must follow the rules! When you bend rules, you cheapen the honor attached to the award! Let's not let the politicians make use of this tragedy to earn some votes.
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As a 100% disabled US Army combat veteran, my heart goes out to the families of those who we lost, and to those wounded during the tragedy at Ft. Hood. While in no way would I ever take away from any of the individuals involved, I can not help but question Rep. Carter’s thoughts in this matter. The Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not "recommended" for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria. The key issue 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. The key here is that the injury/death must be directly attributable to an “enemy”. Are we at the point where we declare Maj. Hasan an “enemy”, thus stripping him of his commission as an officer, his citizenship and many of his Constitutional rights?
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