Dr. Hasan has now been charged with 13 counts of murder which I am certain will be the basis for this White House and its personnel at the Pentagon to deny Purple Hearts to those who were killed in the terrorist attack at Fort Hood. But, awarding Purple Hearts to these men and women will be a tacit admission by this Administration that Hasan’s murderous rampage was a terrorist attack by a radical Muslim. So, I doubt any Purple Hearts will be awarded.
The President’s disdain for these soldiers, while appearing to care by walking through Arlington National Cemetery and appearing at Dover Air Force Base (where only one – 1 – family out of eighteen gave him permission) being photographed during a dignified transfer of a killed soldier, is astonishing. Coupled with the decision to try some of the 9/11 conspirators in a New York federal district court just adds insult to injury.
Even with his decision to play the word game with his decision to move the trials to criminal court in New York (“This is a prosecutorial decision as well as a national security decision” he said in announcing the decision to move the trials out of Guantanamo) he is failing to act Presidential. This decision was either made with the full knowledge of the White House or the President is completely out of the loop with major decisions being made by his Cabinet and appointees.
Having been one of those appointees, I hardly doubt he is out of the loop.
So where do we stand on the Purple Heart issue?
Remember, those killed and wounded at the Pentagon were awarded Purple Hearts. Let’s see what happens at Fort Hood.
Mr. President, award the hearts, don’t play politics with this one.
Learn more about the Purple Heart Award at the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
