Deep thinkers and their servile media allies are so mired in political correctness that many won’t admit how Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan’s rampage was a Muslim terrorist attack, part of the worldwide jihad.
Instead, the killings are called a domestic crime or a tragedy. Hasan is said to have “snapped” from “stress.”
The brutal attack is called “senseless” and “unimaginable,” the result of “harassment,” without citing evidence.
It’s not “jumping to conclusions” to see the obvious: Hasan acted as a holy warrior, doing his part to help destroy America, not senseless to a jihadist.
On the day of the massacre, by chance The Tribune-Democrat published a column by a hard-left frequent writer. Disgustingly, he ranted that “the Taliban are not international terrorists,” that they “don’t have plans to attack the U.S. and never did,” because they are different from al-Qaida to the extent that opinions of a Taliban threat are “lies” and the U.S. presence in Afghanistan is imperialism.
Cut the crap. Because the Taliban, the Palestinians, Iran or Saddam Hussein did not conduct the Sept. 11 attacks doesn’t mean they haven’t supported terrorism for decades. And because some holy warriors act alone, it doesn’t mean they are not part of the war.
Here are a few of the one-person attacks against Americans over the past decade:
* Oct. 31, 1999: On Egypt Air Flight 990, the first officer suddenly put the plane into a dive into the Atlantic off Nantucket, calling to God, killing all 217.
* July 4, 2002: An Egyptian shot up the El Al counter at L.A. International Airport.
* March 3, 2006: A Muslim plowed his car into a group of UNC-Chapel Hill students.
* June 1, 2009: A recruiter was shot to death in Little Rock.
And that doesn’t count the (thankfully) executed John Allen Muhammad of the 2002 D.C.-area sniper team.
Dwight B. Owen
Westmont
Laying off assistant in Windber a mistake
On Nov. 10, Windber Borough Council made a huge mistake: Borough Administrative Assistant Robin Gates was terminated after more than a decade of service to the community.
I’ve been a witness to her unrelenting dedication to the borough. She has worked evenings, weekends and took phone calls on holidays.
Call a member of WAVE (Windber Area Visioning Experience) or of any other Windber organization and they will tell stories of the numerous times she has helped with an event or “saved the day.”
She has turned around a failing Recreation Park, but what thanks does she get from council? None. It would appear Recreation Park is about to be turned over to someone else’s control, and now the pressure is on to figure out exactly what jobs Robin did on a day-to-day basis before everything comes to a crashing halt.
As for statements that her dismissal wasn’t political in nature, it completely was. If this vote would have happened prior to the elections, the result would have turned out differently. There is such support for Robin that council members did not want make a decision that would have turned into lost votes at the polls.
This makes me question my vote. I do not believe that a logical decision was made by eliminating someone with years of experience before eliminating someone with only months on the job.
Institutional knowledge is invaluable and Windber Borough has just lost someone who is priceless to the community.
Matthew J. Helman
Windber
Gridiron coach thanks God, wins over fan
I truly admire Coach Don Bailey.
As a graduate of Forest Hills High School, I didn’t always see eye to eye with Bailey, as he was also the principal of the high school when I attended. But I must say, he truly is a class act.
When Coach accepted the plaque for his 300th win as head football coach for Forest Hills, he started his speech by saying, “First of all, I’d like to thank God.”
Boy, you don’t hear that very often, even with celebrities or professional sports stars.
God is the first person we all should be thanking every day for every opportunity we have.
Lisa M. Holgash
Sidman
Abandoning dogs a despicable act
A Nanty Glo woman who drives a blue van dropped off three very scared, starving and underweight dogs at the spring on Beulah Road.
What was she thinking? She threw out her poor, defenseless animals like people throw out their trash on Mondays.
What kind of person is she?
I’ll tell you: Heartless and cruel.
What did these animals ever do to her? They never asked to have an owner such as her.
She shouldn’t even own a rodent. I hope and pray she never owns another animal in here lifetime. There is no excuse for her actions.
I hope she is arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. No one should get away with what she has done.
How can she sleep at night?
Thank you to the compassionate people living on Beulah Road. I applaud you all for your love of animals, and for pulling together to help them in their time of need.
May these three wonderful dogs get adopted from our local animal shelter and be spoiled and loved like they so deserved from the beginning.
Connie Breth
Nanty Glo
Bank’s new CEO: We’re glad to be here
I have recently located to Johnstown as the new president of AmeriServ Financial.
I received a very warm welcome from our employees and the community. But I keep getting asked why my wife and I would want to move here.
First, as I previously mentioned, we have found the folks here to be very warm and friendly.
Secondly, there’s little traffic.
But also, over the past few months we have attended a number of terrific events, such as the AmeriServ Music Festival, Symphony’s Opera Festival, Sounds of the Supremes show at Arcadia Theater in Windber, and the downtown Halloween parade.
We have really enjoyed these events.
While every community has its challenges, we definitely feel that the “glass is more than half full” here, and we are glad that we came.
Glenn L. Wilson
President and CEO
AmeriServ Financial Inc.
