I can't help but wonder why the words Qu'uranic, Islamist and terrorist always have to go together in news stories!I have never heard of a Biblical Christian terrorist or a Jewish terrorist for that matter. The media does play an interpretation role but the playing field is definitely not level when we come to this issue.Why would anyone assume that the only reason that a man of a particular faith (In this case Islam) would commit murder is in the name of his religion?
Don't get me wrong, it is saddening, unfortunate and disturbing, what happened in Fort Hood. My heart goes out to all the families that lost loved ones and to the American Military for losing great irreplacable resources. But to simply mark the attack as an act of "radical Islamic" terrorism because the attacker was Muslim is myopic.
In their analysis of Obama's speech all that FOX news could focus on was how Obama did not refer to Maj. Nidal Malik Hassan's action as Islamic terrorism.The man was obviously mentally disturbed by his imminent deployment to Afghanistan. But, that of course is not as important as how Muslim the man is. This kind of news promotes stereotypes against Muslims and promotes the view that Islam as a religion promotes terrorism.
If a person is a terrorist he is simply a terrorist, associating religion in this case was almost uncalled for. Besides, the state department's ambassador at large for counterterrorism said on an interview with CNN that the attack had no linkage to any outside group. With great power comes great responsibility. The mass media shape opinion, which way we are swayed is up to us. The media have a responsibility to bring out truth before propaganda and in this case it was a close call.
I completely agree with you, I have made that argument but people's ego and ideology tend to replace common sense in this country. Never willing to learn, always think they're right...hey the guy is not a terrorist but you know conservatives make a political living off terrorism anyways. In the history of the world, Muslims have been terrorized more than any other religious group including the Jews but whenever they fight back, they're labeled "terrorists".
ReplyDeleteUpdate: The guy apparently made connections to shady figures....maybe we should start taking soldiers and their conditions seriously instead of shoving them aside till they commit a desperate act.
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