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'I'm Muslim First, American Second' - Classmate of Suspected Ft. Hood Shooter Recalls Red Flags
VAN SUSTEREN: Did he ever say anything peculiar, red flag-ish, that drew your attention?UNIDENTIFIED MALE (FORMER CLASSMATE): Lots. Lots. The first thing that raised a red flag was one of our first courses together was an environmental health class. We had to do a project or actually a presentation at the end of that class, and we were supposed to do some kind of environmental health project. Now, people were talking about mold. People were talking about water quality. Well, Hasan gave a presentation on whether the war on terror was a war on Islam. I raised my hand immediately. I questioned why that type of topic was being presented at because it was so off-base, and it was allowed to continue. His radicalism grow throughout the year. He would make frequent comments that he was a Muslim first and an American or an officer second, and also that, you know, Islamic law, Sharia law took precedence over the Constitution. And we all became concerned because he's a sworn officer of the United States and he's supposed to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. Yet his loyalties lied elsewhere. VAN SUSTEREN: Did you make any complaints or any -- note it to anybody else, or did anyone -- did anyone else do that, or did the professor or teacher do anything, if you know? UNIDENTIFIED MALE (FORMER CLASSMATE): Well, I made that particular complaint at that point in time. I have a very close colleague who engaged senior leadership at the university, a number of people, regarding this matter, regarding his concerns over these statements that he made. VAN SUSTEREN: And did anyone ever say anything to you, or did you have any indication anyone followed through on it or took it seriously? UNIDENTIFIED MALE (FORMER CLASSMATE): I personally do not have any indications of that, no. VAN SUSTEREN: Now, he was promoted later in May. Is that just sort of routine, or did -- was that peculiar? Am I the only one that's seizing upon that -- this tonight? I mean, is that of any significance? UNIDENTIFIED MALE (FORMER CLASSMATE): Well, it may not have any significance. You know, typically, physicians in the military are promoted on a regular basis up to a certain rank. So you know, that may just have been a part of a routine promotion. VAN SUSTEREN: Did he do anything else that was peculiar to you or anything that stood out that you think that at least now, looking back -- I mean, certainly, you thought so at the time, but other things, as well? UNIDENTIFIED MALE (FORMER CLASSMATE): Well, other things -- you know, I've had colleagues that sat in a human behavior class that he took, and he gave a presentation in the class on -- that justified suicide bombing. VAN SUSTEREN: Did he ever say anything in defense? Did he ever say, like -- you know, did you ever engage him in it? UNIDENTIFIED MALE (FORMER CLASSMATE): Yes. And you know, we engaged him because he made himself a lightning rod for these types of things. You know, no one ever picked on him for his beliefs, because he was a Muslim, nothing like that, but he would make -- be so vocal about it. And considering the forum, you know, of course, he was challenged by other military officers, saying, Where are your loyalties? You know, what -- and you know, he really didn't have any answer. Instead, you know, he'd become visibly upset, sweaty, you know, very emotional when somebody would question these things. VAN SUSTEREN: Think you, sir, for joining us. Posted by: ed 2009-11-12 |
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