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This is a good idea. And I'm with the SECDEF regarding characterizing the shootings as "a terrorist attack," Gates replied, "I'm just not going to go there."
I have lately started to wonder about the government access to so much knowledge about Hasan prior to the attack. "U.S. intelligence officials knew last year that Hasan had been corresponding with a radical Islamic cleric; earlier this year investigators learned of Internet postings, allegedly by Hasan, that indicated sympathy for suicide bombers; and colleagues of Hasan's at Walter Reed Army Medical Center said the "intensity" of his embrace of Islam raised concerns among doctors there.
How did the government gather this information? Regarding the correspondence was that gathered via warrant? Against Hasan? or the cleric addressee? Based on what probable cause? Or application of the Patriot Act? Same questions regarding the internet postings allegedly by Hasan. Are public forums open to government scrutiny? And if so how do we feel about the possibility the Government might be checking out what is said on PS.com?
As for thwarting a Congressional investigation, well those have seldom done much good in the past. The Ollie North investigation comes to mind.
When I first heard of the terrible events at Ft Hood I am a little embarrassed to say I imagined a young man pissed off about the company Grade Article 15 imposed the night before. He was ordered to clean his weapons and instead of breaking them down he locked and loaded and went kicking doors in the company area for a little payback.
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