# Family says "Thank You" to Ft. Hood Shooter **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 11, 2010, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540 "2010-02-11T08:41:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/41 "2010-02-11T17:19:51Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > That was my first thought. Why would somebody who dreads deployment so much _that she’d rather be shot_ join the armed forces? A lot of people get hustled by recruiters into enlisting when they’re very young and stupid. I was one of those people. When you’re 18 (as I was), your long term thinking is non-existent. A lot of kids never really comprehend what they’re getting into until they’re in it. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/42 "2010-02-11T17:23:13Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > There’s a difference between, “I forgive the person who harmed me,” and, “God orchestrated this tragedy, which killed many people, so that my lazy ass doesn’t have to do the job I signed up for.” She’s still a victim who has the right feel any way she wants. > [@](#): > > I believe you mean, “She has the right to feel any fucking way about it she wants to, and we have the right to mercilessly mock her for it.” You have the legal right, but no moral right. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/43 "2010-02-11T17:27:50Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > I’m offended, not by her thanking the shooter, but by her view that avoiding a deployment is a _good_ thing. Why isn’t she saying “Not only did I get shot, but now I have to miss the deployment! Dammit!”? Way to shirk your duty, soldier. I feel the same way. Because she can’t go, someone else has to do her job for her. Why is she happy about that? Now, obviously it isn’t her fault for not deploying, but why is she happy about that? I’ve never understood people in the military who dread deploying. I mean, you joined the military and on day one they tell you that you’ll deploy at least once and there may come a time when you have to kill someone. It’s part of the job, which really shouldn’t come to a surprise to anyone. Oh, and why she’s “thankful” for not deploying, so she could be with her fiance? That’s rubbish. I know people who were deployed during the birth of their first child, being away from your fiance isn’t really that big of a deal. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/44 "2010-02-11T17:38:57Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > I know people who were deployed during the birth of their first child, Really? Do they give the baby a teeny-tiny little camo-patterned Kevlar helmet liner? 'Cos that would be _adorable_! ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/45 "2010-02-11T17:40:52Z")
Maybe-- just maybe, she and her family are thankful that Nabil (or whatever) was the one that went all postal and shot up the joint to save her and her family the trouble and shame that would have come along if she’d taken the same initiative. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/46 "2010-02-11T17:42:30Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > A lot of people get hustled by recruiters into enlisting when they’re very young and stupid. I was one of those people. When you’re 18 (as I was), your long term thinking is non-existent. A lot of kids never really comprehend what they’re getting into until they’re in it. Then those kids who got hustled are idiots. When I was 18 I was perfectly capable of not going into a recruiters office and signing up for the military. > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > She’s still a victim who has the right feel any way she wants. > > You have the legal right, but no moral right. You have no moral right to say that. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/47 "2010-02-11T17:46:47Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > A lot of people get hustled by recruiters into enlisting when they’re very young and stupid. I was one of those people. When you’re 18 (as I was), your long term thinking is non-existent. A lot of kids never really comprehend what they’re getting into until they’re in it. I can understand recruiters hustling by downplaying the _probability_ that you’ll be deployed, or how much basic training will suck, or how shitty the pay is for a new enlistee, or whatever. However, if you join the army and don’t consider the possibility that there might be a war in the next five years and that armies fight wars, you are retarded. There’s a war _every_ fucking five years. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/48 "2010-02-11T17:57:19Z")
Also known as a “leap war.” ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/49 "2010-02-11T17:59:07Z")
Oh hey - this thread’s in the pit! When did that happen? Anyway, perhaps I went a bit too far with my comment. I’m sorry if I offended anyone; obviously I don’t wish for anyone’s death, not even an idiot’s. It’s just that I’ve known people who’ve been killed in terrorist attacks; I’ve also known people who’ve survived terrorist attacks, and the thought of someone thanking the terrorist for \*anything \*seems abhorrent to me. Forgiving him, I can see. But thanking? Plus, as a former and occasional army guy myself, I find the fact that she’s taking pride - publicly - in the fact that she managed to dodge her deployment strongly off-putting. Lots of soldiers try to get out of serving somewhere they don’t want to serve; most of them succeed if they put their mind to it. You just don’t brag about it. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/50 "2010-02-11T18:05:23Z")
This is an example of something that it’s OK to think, but tacky to say in public. A closed mouth gathers no feet. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/51 "2010-02-11T18:06:29Z")
> [@Tahssa](#): > > Then those kids who got hustled are idiots. When I was 18 I was perfectly capable of not going into a recruiters office and signing up for the military. Of course, they’re idiots. They’re 18. That’s my point. 18 year olds are stupid and malleable. Evidently you were a special case who already had perfect wisdom and maturity, and never did anything stupid, so maybe you wouldn’t understand. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/52 "2010-02-11T18:06:42Z")
I’m going to be a wee generous and say that it’s _possible_ she’s still in shock and thus she’s still not in her right fucking mind. Otherwise, she’s a fucking moron. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/53 "2010-02-11T18:09:37Z")
The new hubby has three more holees to fuck. Win win. ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/54 "2010-02-11T18:10:44Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > I’m offended, not by her thanking the shooter, but by her view that avoiding a deployment is a _good_ thing. Why isn’t she saying “Not only did I get shot, but now I have to miss the deployment! Dammit!”? Way to shirk your duty, soldier. She’s not shirking anything. She’s not capable of being deployed now, so she’s not going. If she were healthy, she’d be deployed as expected. If she refused to go under those circumstances, she’d be shirking. Expressing relief at not having to go isn’t shirking. I wouldn’t suprise me that many soldiers have doubts about being deployed and experience some measure of relief if, for some reason, their deployment is postponed or cancelled. The only difference here is that this particular woman expressed that relief in a public way. On preview, I can understand how military folks find her expressing that opinion to be distasteful. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/55 "2010-02-11T18:13:54Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I can understand recruiters hustling by downplaying the _probability_ that you’ll be deployed, or how much basic training will suck, or how shitty the pay is for a new enlistee, or whatever. > > However, if you join the army and don’t consider the possibility that there might be a war in the next five years and that armies fight wars, you are retarded. There’s a war _every_ fucking five years. It’s not even so much about not realizing the possibility. You can know the possibility is there. Kids even join with the full intention and expectation of being deployed. It’s just that it can seem abstract and theoretical, and not sink in as REAL, right away. The first day of Basic is a huge wake up call. And yes, they are stupid. That’s what I’m trying to say. Teenagers have shallow thought processes. They’re impulsive. They don’t think things through. They might even have a romanticized image of what they will be doing, then reality is a splash of cold water. Recruiters depend on this impulsivity and shallowness of thought. The romanticization too. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/56 "2010-02-11T18:14:45Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Oh hey - this thread’s in the pit! When did that happen? Immediately after your first post. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/57 "2010-02-11T18:16:33Z")
All I know is if you shot me and a million dollars flew out of my asshole, I still wouldn’t thank the you, because I get the feeling that getting shot sucks. Especially when the others who got shot along with me ended up not only without the anal million, but dead. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/58 "2010-02-11T18:17:38Z")
I’d take the bullet hole and the ass-million. I’d take that today. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/59 "2010-02-11T18:18:32Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > You have the legal right, but no moral right. Ah yes, we can’t ever judge anyone for anything that we ourselves haven’t been through in the most literal way possible. Does this mean that you’ll finally shut the fuck up? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540/60 "2010-02-11T18:18:39Z")
Well, there’s also the pesky deal with the dead compadres that might shift your wish-list. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-says-thank-you-to-ft-hood-shooter/528540.md?page=4)