# Multiple Shootings At Fort Hood **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 5, 2009, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472 "2009-11-05T21:09:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/341 "2026-10-09T19:00:08Z")
It’s no deeper than “Dead Muslim Good”. The MAGAs have been salivating for 10+ years for somebody to show them that. Show the Taliban beheaders we can play that game too. Friggin’ morons. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/342 "2026-10-09T19:12:22Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > > [@robby](#): > > > > he refused multiple offers of clemency > > You mean refused several offers to be sent back into the meatgrinder. “Tear up this note and we’ll let you go back to being shot at, which you were forced to do by a government that ripped you away from your life against your choice”. That isn’t an indicator of his idiocy, it is an indicator of the pure evil of drafted military slavery. This seems like a rather large topic not really connected to this thread, so I started a new thread here: > [@Is a military draft ever justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-military-draft-ever-justified/1033707/1): > > Continuing the discussion from [Multiple Shootings At Fort Hood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/336): In the linked thread, @Darren_Garrison characterizes the draft (specifically in WWII) as “the pure evil of drafted military slavery.” Is he right? Was the military draft in WWII “pure evil”? Stated another way: Was the draft in WWII morally justified? And more broadly, is a military draft ever justified? I don’t believe the draft in WWII was evil. I think WWII was morally justified for the U.S. to engage in, and I know of no wa… ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/343 "2026-10-09T19:23:40Z")
Justice should never become entertainment. Mass viewing of state-sanctioned killings as entertainment can desensitize society in unpredictable ways. Once that boundary is crossed I fear to speculate how much lower we might descend as a society. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/344 "2026-10-09T22:42:02Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I wonder why they’re bothering with a firing squad. Hell, if they want a spectacle just throw the guy to the lions Trying to appeal to their base, some of whom seem to be questioning their loyalty with elections nearing. Evidently boys in girls’ sports isn’t enough to win the elections. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/345 "2026-10-09T22:44:57Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Do I mind that he’s going to be executed? Not really, no. Do I mind that people will be allowed to watch? Not really, no. Some people will choose not to watch? Okay; that’s their call. Some people _will_ choose to watch? Okay; that’s _their_ call. Public executions as spectator sport is beneath us. Celebrating and encouraging bloodlust serves to make people more bloodthirsty. It’s moving the Overton window in the wrong direction. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/346 "2026-10-09T22:58:17Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](#): > > We can never go back now. Never. It will be a challenge, but it certainly possible. But enough people have to be no just fed up but willing to take action. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/347 "2026-10-10T00:08:20Z")
I assume that next time around there will be a some kind of raffle or auction where folks can try to get on the firing squad. They could have a tiered bank to accommodate maybe 100 shooters and maximize the amount of money earned. I can’t imagine that there would be any shortage of bidders/ticket buyers. If you want to make your country a grotesque mockery of civilization don’t be half-hearted about it. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/348 "2026-10-10T00:16:15Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Trying to appeal to their base, some of whom seem to be questioning their loyalty with elections nearing. The execution isn’t until December, by which time it’s gonna be a little late to influence voters. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/349 "2026-10-10T00:25:27Z")
> [@robby](#): > > My understanding is that the reason for the single blank round is to give plausible deniability to the members of the firing squad (in that none can be sure that they actually shot a live round at the condemned person), while ensuring that the execution is swift and sure. Ostensibly yet every time this is brought up, we are told by people with lots of experience in the matter (guns, not executions) that it would be very obvious to the shooter if they got the dud. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/350 "2026-10-10T00:36:02Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The execution isn’t until December, by which time it’s gonna be a little late to influence voters. Hasan has also reserved appeal options that would take years to resolve. Effectively, he won’t be executed in December unless he wants to be. Politically, an extended delay could energize MAGA and deprive opponents of a stark example of Trump’s barbarism. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/351 "2026-10-10T00:42:46Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > > [@robby](#): > > > > My understanding is that the reason for the single blank round is to give plausible deniability to the members of the firing squad (in that none can be sure that they actually shot a live round at the condemned person), while ensuring that the execution is swift and sure. > > Ostensibly yet every time this is brought up, we are told by people with lots of experience in the matter (guns, not executions) that it would be very obvious to the shooter if they got the dud. And that actually _is_ the point. An experienced shooter can tell if they fired a blank… assuming they are being honest with themselves. The idea is supposed to be that if a shooter has some kind of subconscious (or conscious) sense of guilt over participating in the execution, then their sub-conscience will tell them _don’t feel bad, you know that was just the dud, totally felt like it_. It’s not a matter of _not knowing_ whether you fired a live round. It is, supposedly, a matter of giving everyone an out to _convince themselves they didn’t fire a live round if that’s what they need to tell themselves to get over their sense of guilt_. IMHO, it’s a stupid idea probably thought up by some Freudian. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/352 "2026-10-10T00:59:32Z")
Per Wikipedia, modern firing squads use wax rounds for the dummy, not blanks. > **[Execution by firing squad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Execution_by_firing_squad)** > > Execution by firing squad, historically called fusillading (from the French fusil, rifle), is a method of capital punishment, particularly common in times of war. Some reasons for its use are that firearms are usually readily available and a gunshot to a vital organ, such as the brain or heart, most often will kill relatively quickly. A firing squad is normally composed of several shooters, all of whom are usually instructed to fire simultaneously, thus preventing both disruption of the process b... > In practice however, firing a live round produces significant recoil, while firing a blank round does not. In more modern times such as during the 2010 execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner in Utah, US, one rifleman may be given a “dummy” cartridge containing a wax bullet, which provides a more realistic recoil. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/353 "2026-10-10T01:34:04Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The execution isn’t until December, by which time it’s gonna be a little late to influence voters Hard disagree. They eat it up. It’s better that it’s not right away. The gleeful anticipation is just as good as the real thing. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/354 "2026-10-10T02:12:16Z")
Someone on a true-crime website posted a link to the Army military code for execution witnesses, and it says that minors, aged below 18, may not do this. If nothing else stops them, this may. p.s. How will they announce his death if they do this, anyway? Fire a cannon and broadcast his picture into the night sky? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/355 "2026-10-10T02:14:51Z")
I don’t even like cameras in the courtroom, for that purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/356 "2026-10-10T02:19:05Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > p.s. How will they announce his death if they do this, anyway? Fire a cannon and broadcast his picture into the night sky? Nice _Hunger Games_ reference. Well done! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/357 "2026-10-10T11:37:55Z")
Very minor terminology nit: A “dud” is a explosive that doesn’t fire at all. Just sits there. As applied to ammunition, the user experiences pulling the trigger followed by “click” and silence. No recoil, no action cycling, no nothing. A “blank” is a firearm round that is designed to hold no bullet but does have a primer and a weak charge of propellent AKA powder. Which totally does go Bang! & produce some recoil when fired. As noted above, a “wax bullet round” is a better simulator of the real thing than a blank. Can be a bigger bang, will have more felt recoil, etc. A firing squad member might be issued a rifle pre-loaded with a wax bullet round or a blank round. But not a dud round; at least not a deliberately dud round. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/358 "2026-10-10T13:14:19Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I believe the death penalty is appropriate in certain situations, and Hassan is definitely one of them. Taking pleasure in it is just macabre, though - it ought to be a solemn and serious event, and this admin clearly isn’t gonna be able to accomplish that. Exactly. This evil fucker deserves the worst, but all that executing him on live television will do is make America look barbaric and him look sympathetic. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/359 "2026-10-10T13:21:26Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Do I mind that he’s going to be executed? Not really, no. Do I mind that people will be allowed to watch? Not really, no. Some people will choose not to watch? Okay; that’s their call. Some people _will_ choose to watch? Okay; that’s _their_ call. > > So — what the hell am I missing, here? Why wouldn’t it be a matter of indifference to me? What does executing him publically accomplish except for making the US look barbaric and getting useful idiots to feel sympathy for the vile murderous terrorist? I’m fine with him being executed, but there’s no reason to make it a spectacle. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472/360 "2026-10-10T13:57:47Z")
Heg the Seth wants the whole world to look and tremble at our manly warrior lethality. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-shootings-at-fort-hood/516472.md?page=19)