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The Washington Post published an article this morning, which reveals that Major Nidal. M. Hasan had tried to get the message through to his superiors that Muslims serving in the US would have moral conflicts. He suggested that, as conscientious objectors, Muslims should not be required to be deployed to fight against other Muslims. But they didn’t listen.

Neither did the Washington Post. Instead of analyzing Hasan’s suggestion, the article speaks of “threats within the ranks”, a much more fearful mental image. The Post paints a picture of a dangerous and imbalanced individual who instead of lecturing on “medical” topics, lectured on “suicide bombers and threats the military”. But wait, he is a psychiatrist! He is a doctor, of course, but his concern is mental health. But the stereotype of the soldier is a mindless hero, who cannot have a conscience it seems.

But manufacturing fear sells news, and money is the god of the world. When people are afraid, they buy things. The media live on gossip and war, because they fatten their wallets. When greedy news corporations, who sadly are the conscience of a nation, polarize everyone, create fear, and refuse to see the full spectrum of colors, what can we expect? The truth shining out? I’m afraid not. We see news anchors and their slaves, the politicians, paying homage to the gods of money and political correctness, distorting the truth, creating shame and suffering for millions of people. Think of what Honduras is going through because of the dishonesty of Telesur and CNN.

But, why am I defending Hasan? He became a murderer. I’m defending him because I think there is a deeper point here. Yes he deserves to pay for his crime; but can he expect a fair trial?. By painting posterized, don’t-make-me-think stereotypes, the media are wasting the moment for the US to reflect on a very important and complex issue.

The US is undergoing an identity crisis, but that is an opportunity for it to shine. But in order to shine, it needs to understand the truth. Who are United States? What should be the role of the military? How does Islam fit in? What is Islam, really?  What is the war on terror really about? Israel? Oil? The weapons cartels? Religion? Truth?

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