WORK PLACE VIOLENCE?

Let me start by saying that I purposely try to keep politics, and other polarizing issues out of this blog, but sometimes I just can't help myself.  When I hear the term "work place violence", I typically think of co-workers who let their emotions get the best of them, and arguments escalate to physical violence.  Or, another situation that comes to mind, is the disgruntled employee who plots revenge against a supervisor, or other employees for perceived unfair treatment.  There are obvious other scenarios that fit into the "work place violence" category, but one that definitely does not is the Fort Hood massacre that took place about 4 years ago. 

The current military trial of Nadal Hassan for the murders of 13, and the wounding of 30, has brought this deliberate government mis-characterization back into the spotlight.  I can only speculate as to why our federal government refuses to call this obvious act of terrorism for what it was.  I'm sure that one of the  reasons is to try and minimize it's impact, thereby keeping closer to the political narrative that terrorism is being defeated.  There probably are other reasons, but no matter what they are, the classification of this tragedy as "work place violence" is simply wrong. 

When an individual tried to bring down a commercial airliner with a bomb in his shoe, that attempt was officially classified as an act of terrorism.  In a similar  incident, another individual placed explosives in his clothing, also attempting to bring down an aircraft carrying civilians.  In both of these acts of terror, a single individual plotted to kill innocent people in the perverted name of Islam. Had either one of those attempts succeeded, the families of the victims would have been eligible for specific government benefits.  The families of the 911 victims received those benefits, but because the Fort Hood act of terrorism has been classified as "work place violence", the victims and their families are not eligible, nor are the deceased & wounded military personnel eligible for the purple heart medal. 

Now, those victims who survived Hassan's deliberate act of terrorism, are having to relive the event, as many are testifying at his trial.  A few of those victims are even being cross examined by this sicko, as he serves as his own counsel. Even though there has been outrage from the Fort Hood community, and some objections from politicians, the "work place violence" label seems to have stuck.  For whatever reason, it's a damn shame that those in our government, who have the authority to classify these incidents for what they are, have refused to recognize the Fort Hood massacre for what it is - AN ACT OF TERRORISM!