Friday, Nov. 6, 2009
On that fateful day, Thursday, November 5, 2009, the lives of the innocent military people stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, were struck with such a blow that shook them, our country and the world. It is hard to explain nor understand why things happened the way that they did, leaving everyone the shock of disbelief and sorrow for them and their loved ones. In this moment of grief, we pray that the victims will eternally feel the warmth of their last embrace and the shadow of their smiles, and that their loved ones cherish the memories that will never fade away.
Normita
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Let us remember that to commit such a heinous act one must be insane. I feel the man was out of his mind; or had no mind anymore. There are never any ways to rationalize these horrific events. Sometimes there are no ‘logical’ reasons. The human mind always wants to give meaning to what it sees. That is how we are made.
And yes, he is responsible for his acts even if he was insane. Some days I wonder what the animals and birds think of us humans who kill for other than to eat.
When my brother Stephen was shot at age 43 on Dec 5 1987, the grief therapist told me 2 things I must try to understand to begin to heal: 1) I will want to have a reason why this happened. I most probably may never know the reason; 2) that when I heard the news of his shooting my life changed inexplicably forever more and I would never be the same person as I was before I heard the news. I just accept now that it happened. She was right. I still have no ‘good’ reason why he died. Am I any more comfortable with this; no not really, I still grieve his passing each year as December 5th gets closer. Some years are easier than others.
The families of all the victims will be shattered now too. They have joined the club of survivors of homicide; a group they never would have voluntarily joined.
Our world is just so crazy and undisciplined. Perhaps eventually the pendulum will swing so far it will begin to fall back to a middle ground of respect, logic, common sense and human dignity will be honored.
Tanya
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Let us light our candles with prayers for the brave military men and women in Ft. Hood, TX and everyone in the military and their families.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=hrc
Posted by villager4ever
Heart of the Village 
I just left a comment before this new post. I found this posted on noquarter:
More and more has come out about Nidal Malik Hasan and what appears to be a cold-blooded assassination of 13 people at Fort Hood, 12 military, one civilian, and 28 wounded. The biggest piece of news for me this morning was finding out that Hasan was still alive, and one of the wounded. In addition to Hasan still being alive, we have learned he was desperately trying to get out of the military, and that his religious beliefs were radical in nature:
‘If one suicide bomber can kill 100 enemy soldiers because they were caught off guard that would be considered a strategic victory,’ he is said to have written.
Once again, just to be clear, this is not the belief system of the vast majority of Muslims, but of a very small few fringe elements. All Muslims cannot be painted with a broad brush stroke, just as all Christians, Jews, et al, cannot be categorized by the actions of a few. That being said, in my opinion, this is a horrible interpretation of the Koran, and the words of Muhammad.
I can not find any sympathy for this murderer. He was not insane, this was premediated…
His superiors should have been more aware, seeing and hearing the signs of discontent and upheaval against our country’s foreign policies. This must be going on for a while, no one paid attention.
Remember during 9/11 when Bush was in the classroom reading to children and was told about the attacks? How he waited eons to get up and do anything? How many times has he been ridiculed and criticized for that? Well Obama just had the same moment, let’s give a “shoutout” to our President, shall we?:
Obama’s Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting
A bad week for Democrats compounded by an awful moment for Barack Obama.
President Obama didn’t wait long after Tuesday’s devastating elections to give critics another reason to question his leadership, but this time the subject matter was more grim than a pair of governorships.
After news broke out of the shooting at the Fort Hood Army post in Texas, the nation watched in horror as the toll of dead and injured climbed. The White House was notified immediately and by late afternoon, word went out that the president would speak about the incident prior to a previously scheduled appearance. At about 5 p.m., cable stations went to the president. The situation called for not only his trademark eloquence, but also grace and perspective.
But instead of a somber chief executive offering reassuring words and expressions of sympathy and compassion, viewers saw a wildly disconnected and inappropriately light president making introductory remarks. At the event, a Tribal Nations Conference hosted by the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian affairs, the president thanked various staffers and offered a “shout-out” to “Dr. Joe Medicine Crow — that Congressional Medal of Honor winner.” Three minutes in, the president spoke about the shooting, in measured and appropriate terms. Who is advising him?
Anyone at home aware of the major news story of the previous hours had to have been stunned. An incident like this requires a scrapping of the early light banter. The president should apologize for the tone of his remarks, explain what has happened, express sympathy for those slain and appeal for calm and patience until all the facts are in. That’s the least that should occur.
Speaking about the Native Americans, Mary, I got a phone call claiming that he was working to solicit donations to help poor poor in the reservations who are in need of textbooks, supplies, food, etc. I listened to him and then I asked him, “What is the Bureau of Indian Affairs doing about helping them? As far as I know the main reason why Indian casinos were approved was to help support the Native Americans. It’s apparent that they are not benefiting from the revenues, not being given job opportunities in those casinos. Instead the administrators are the ones getting the bulk of the profits. I also heard that the families who had claims to those lands are being cheated out of the profits. I suggest that you goes back to tell them that the politicians need to be pressured to get those money to where they belong – to the Native Americans. The general public was misled into believing that those Indian casinos are to improve the livelihood of the Indians.” The guy was surprised about my awareness of the casinos, I told him I go once in a while hoping that they are helping the Indians. I wonder now how much the administrators of the casinos contribute to the politicians to keep them going.
Visit our village gate to see the ‘banner of thoughts’ for the victims of the Fort Hood shooting.
Solciting donations for the poor Indians? Then why did I read just yesterday that they are giving away cell phones and minutes to those on welfare? Yes, there is a website which indeed confirms that statement. Instead of cell phones for the welfare recipients, where is the money for the Indian children who need textbooks? This is redistribution of the wealth to the appropriate people, NOT the ones who really need it…
Yes, I have noticed that in the last few years, Indians are not running those casinos, they are bringing in outside administrators, who do you think? The same people who run Vegas, I bet…
My nephew who is a captain in the army says he spends more than half of his time counseling, mothering, supervising and administering the private lives of his command. Many of these soldiers “mature” in the military and their supervisors are helping them with moves, family, medical, emotional, and financial issues. The supervisors are involved because private lives impact their ability to be a good soldier. Even the family of this murderer did not see it coming. I thought the family’s note of apology was sincere and they were as shocked and disgusted as we are.
Prayers are need for the victims, their families, the witnesses, and those who serve in the military.
The mosques here in the Bay Area are holding prayers for the victims and for their family. They are deeply saddened.
Mary, I did not see BO’s comments but I did hear one positive thing today. The president was privately meeting with wounded soldiers and their families in Walter Reed when he heard about Orlando. These visits had been scheduled before the Ft Hood incident and he took no press with him. The fact that he went and took no press was the first positive move I’ve seen from this president. That is a sad commentary in my book.
Okay, if our Tin Man President is developing a heart, maybe he might be worth something. I have watched this man for two years. Everything he does is political. I have yet to see his “heart”…
Lots of concessions and door to door going on on health care:
Obama calls holdouts on health care
By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent David Espo, Ap Special Correspondent – 1 hr 17 mins ago
WASHINGTON – Short on votes, House Democratic leaders offered fresh concessions Friday night to anti-abortion lawmakers and worked to ease the concerns of Hispanic holdouts as they struggled to round up the support needed to pass sweeping health care legislation.
Read full article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_health_care_overhaul
Muslims are genuinely concerned that these shootings will hold whatever progress they’ve made.
Shooting reveals tensions over Muslims in the military
By Nancy A. Youssef and Leila Fadel, McClatchy Newspapers – 2 hrs 52 mins ago
WASHINGTON — The killings of 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas , by an Army psychiatrist who also was a Muslim set off a rancorous debate Friday that once again spotlighted the fear among Muslims in America that they’ll be collectively found guilty for the actions of one man.
Vitriolic exchanges filled Internet sites devoted to military affairs, with some posters arguing that Muslims should be barred from the armed services.
News reporters deluged the Silver Spring, Md. , mosque where the Fort Hood shooting suspect once worshipped, demanding to know what the Quran, Islam’s holy book, has to say about such events. One even asked if the suspect, Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan , who was born in Virginia and lived his whole life in the U.S., spoke with an “accent.”
Anita Husseini , who also worships at the Muslim Community Center , said she didn’t know Hasan, but she knew that what he’s accused of doing would affect her life and those of others.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/3351217
Here’s today’s Quote of the Day:
“How blessed are some people, whose lives have no fears, no dreads; to whom sleep is a blessing that comes nightly, and brings nothing but sweet dreams.
Bram Stoker”
I dedicate this quote to the victims of the shootings. They have no more fears, they are now resting in peace.
I promise to have sweet dreams Normita.
Normita sent us an email stating that Massachusetts is trying to elect its first female senator. How many other states have not had a female senator? Here is some info on the topic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_the_United_States_Senate
How many states have not had a female governor or representative?
Good night villsgers.
California has not had a female governor, after a number of attempts. Meg Whitman gets my vote not only because she’s a female but mostly due to her business acumen. She’ll bring the RIGHT change to the people. At first they were diminishing her for her lack of voting record, so what?
Good morning everyone. This is Robin. I was instructed to say hello from MJ, so hello from MJ. We are off to an appointment and MJ will chat later. Just an update, it seems like Zoe and her mom are doing much better and Zoe’s report card was all A’s and B’s, needless to say I am very proud of her. She is swamped with homework this weekend and she is back to school Monday of which she is very happy about.
We are so glad the cloud has passed. May Zoe and her mother be rewarded with good health for the rest of the flu season.
WhOOOO HOOO! Hurray!!. Good health indeed, that is the real holiday blessing..
Robin, thanks for the update on Zoe and her mom. Please send them our big wishes. You and MJ have a blast for a day.
Glorious sunshine here. Enjoy the day and soak in at leat 20 minutes of Vitamin D. Call a member of your family that you haven’t seen for awhile. Read a book. Have a cup of tea. The list of great things to do is endless. Happiness is a choice.
Good Morning, Villagers…we’re blessed with sunshine and a cloud or two, highs in the 60’s! A good day, as Taylor says, to enjoy life’s little blessings!
Robin thanks for keeping us updated on MJ and family…good news is always welcome here!
Tanya and Teri…you speak of atrocities that are truly unfathomable…I’m sorry for your loss and hope there are more good days rather than hard days ahead!
I’m going to take Taylor’s advice…walking is good for my soul and a Vente latte is especially enticing…happy trails Villagers, wherever your trail takes you today…
I recently read a doctor’s discussion of health care and she says reform will not fix a major health cloud over the US–we need to walk more and eat less. Even the best health care system won’t fix these problems. Goog health all.
Good morning villagers – yes, a beautiful day. It started out very foggy. But we need rain, real rain. Our reservoirs are going dry…
Yes, Mary, we need rain, not just raindrops. We had a small amount yesterday in some areas. Forecast is no rain, bright sunshine all weekend. Well, it’s nature.
Karel and all, happy trails to you too. Walking is free, so it’s a great remedy to so many ailments.
Bob and I will spend the day with Cal’s Chancellor at a reception before today’s football game. I’m wondering what the pitch will be, but since Bob is the alum, I’m there to support education.
Is anyone tracking Pelosi’s vote today?
To answer my own question, this is just in from The Washington Post:
The House has passed the rules of debate for proposed health-care legislation, formally starting the countdown toward a roll call vote. The House will now debate the bill for at least the next five hours, with a final vote likely this evening.
For more information, visit washingtonpost.com – http://link.email.washingtonpost.com/r/PSLW3N/VJ315/YOGUUZ/AYLRVV/841RD/FW/t
Just barely tracking the putrid process, Normita. Instead, I was out a lot enjoying the sunshine and temps in the 70s!!
I made a cranberry upside cake for tomorrow’s dinner and bought the groceries for arugula and pear salad, steak and mushroom stroganoff and herb/cheese garlic bread, Of course I have no idea what we are eating tonight. LOL.
Since my college friend was not aware of this, I will share this tip. If you buy individually wrapped tilapia frozen fish filets, you do not need to defrost before baking. Just remove, the wrapping, coat with olive oil, season to your taste and bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes. Great fish every time.
Can you tell that food is on my mind?
Have a great evening villagers.
Sounds to me like you are a great cook. I have never heard of cranberry upside down cake. What is the cake, a yellow cake? Steak and mushroom strogonoff sounds fantastic.. Hope everything turns out as you hoped….
Normita, Thank you for the thread. Very moving and I am just thinking of the tragedies that people have endured and the hate that caused them. There are no words that can cover it.
Good night all.
AOL reported the following. The young villagers should take note:
The United States may have officially entered the age of woman.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this fall, for the first time in U.S. history, women have surpassed men and now make up more than 50 percent of the nation’s workforce. In 1967, by comparison, they accounted for just one-third of all workers.
Signs of the changing landscape in gender relations are just about everywhere you look:
• Double the number of single women are now purchasing homes in America than there are single men.
• Four out of every 10 women are are now their family’s primary breadwinner, a sharp increase from past decades.
• The New Hampshire State Legislature is now made up of a majority of women, a first for a legislative body in the U.S., and the number of women in government continues to edge up nationwide.
• Women now account for 30 percent of math Ph.D.s, up from just 5 percent in the 1960s.
• On average, women read nine books every year. Men only read four, and women account for 80 percent of the U.S. fiction market.
• The World Bank recently estimated that the global earning power of women will reach an estimated $18 trillion by the year 2014, up $5 trillion today.
“Women really have become the dominant gender,” said Guy Garcia, author of “The Decline of Men.” “What concerns me is that guys are rapidly falling behind. Women are becoming better educated than men, earning more than men, and, generally speaking, not needing men at all. Meanwhile, as a group, men are losing their way.”