Thoughts on the Ft Hood Incident

It is with sadness that I write this; I don't think no one has ever thought that out there somewhere, is someone who is angry about something so bad that the only way they can get out what they feel is through violence. But then you may ask, what did those that died have to do with his agression? Good question. For the most part, not a thing, but for some reason, in this person's mind, they may represent something; In this man's case, it was the Army I tend to feel.
Since this situation happened, I saw on CNN today where another shooting occurred in Orlando, and about eight people were hurt; I pray that is all but I myself don't watch the news much or tv; matter of fact, all my tvs are old analog ones except my mother's which is HDTV and she is particular about hers so I try to stay away from it for the most part. When you make 81, to me, you earned the right to be the boss. But back to the story. I don't watch the news or such unless I am at work where the lady I watch has cable and is a fervent CNN viewer and I got the internet, and to me, that's all I need for now. I don't watch the news because to me it is depressing. But it seems to me that ever since Columbine in 1999, there has been a serious outbreak(I thought to say rash, but when human lives pile up, it's an outbreak) and even worse with more folks out of work and in a recession. But is shooting the answer? I don't think so.
However, I do have something to say for the shooter himself; the fact that he is Muslim and was about to be deployed to Afghanistan and didn't want to go speaks volumes; He spoke of being ostracized due to him being Muslim; I find that sad. I know that 9/11 was a horrible thing for ALL Americans, but we have not been as kind to those who are Muslims in this country; We fear, ridicule, speak against those not of us because of this; but have we not learned our lessons from ages past? When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, sentiment was so high against Japanese living in America that in the Western states, they put them in internment camps. I wrote concentration initially and changed my mind but as the saying goes, tell the truth and shame the devil; When segregation ruled the land especially in the south, it didn't take much for an African American to be killed; sometimes, it could be a mere accusation. not even truth. Yet in spite of these things, we still continue to do them; moreso to Muslims,gays and homosexuals. Haven't we learned that this isn't the way?
We talk of diversity, but are we doing it? We talk about illegal immigrants, but can we imagine why they run to this country? no we cannot. And though I am the daughter of immigrants myself and conflicted on this, I have to understand more than anything why some risk all to come to America;
Getting back to the shooter here. Yes, he has hurt a many people by his actions, but I cannot help but wonder how many have somehow helped him get to the point where he was yesterday? what I mean by that is, When you saw a Muslim, did you speak kindly or harsh? were the things you said anything spouted on in Philippians 4:16? You see, little things add up to big things and then you may have two things. One for the good that allows the person to be his very best or what occurred yesterday.
As a veteran, my heart goes out to those affected by this tragedy; Though my thoughts and prayers go out to those who lost loved ones, I also have to pray for the one who caused the tragedy and his family because now they have come out of the limelight in a very negative way. I may never understand his motives but I'm sure they hurt too. And may we be more tolerant of others as we go along our way. Peace.