Warning Signs?

Brett Shipp reports

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DALLAS — While friends and colleagues of U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan are stunned by what happened at Fort Hood on Thursday afternoon, the military psychiatrist was on the radar of federal agents six months ago.

Their concern had to do with Internet postings about suicide bombings and other threats.

Since the September 11 attacks in 2001, Americans have been taught to both be respectful of the others' customs and cultures — yet, at the same time, to be vigilant about obvious warning signs.

The question now on many minds is: Was the Army being tolerant of Hasan's views, or could Thursday's tragedy have been prevented?

International security consultant William Besse of Dallas still trying to digest the mass shooting at Fort Hood. "Someone doesn't just wake up one morning out of the blue and decide, 'You know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna commit a horrendous act of violence today.'"

But by nature, Besse wonders if the Army missed obvious signs.

While Hasan's motives may never be known, evidence of his anger toward America may be emerging, like the comments he allegedly made to Col. Terry Lee (Ret.) as told to Fox News.

Six months ago, Lee allegedly heard Hasan say: "Muslims should stand up and fight the aggressor," suggsting that "maybe people should strap bombs on themselves and go to Times Square."

At the same time, an Internet posting by a screen name "NidalHasan" shows sympathy to "suicide bombers whose intention, by sacrificing their lives, is to help save Muslims..."

The writer equates suicide bombers to a "brave hero that sacrificed his life for a more noble cause."

Then there is the security camera video of Hasan at a convenience store. earlier this week. By itself it is no cause for alarm.

But according to another Dallas-based terrorism expert — whose identity we have protected — the totality of evidence cried out for official intervention.

"If I see a United States military Major starts to walk around in with this white jelabia — what they call it — and all of this dress — which is right to do on his day off — but to add this to his comments; to his opinions; to his bitterness — what else do you have a red flag for?"

Others, however, describe Hasan as "quiet" and "polite," and are shocked that he could have done something so horrible.

All of which helps illustrate why predicting or preventing this type of tragedy is such a difficult task.

E-mail bshipp@wfaa.com