Appalling decision.
The document (from the DOD) reads in part:
“Passage of this legislation could directly and indirectly influence potential court-martial panel members, witnesses, or the chain of command, all of whom exercise a critical role under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Defense counsel will argue that Major Hasan cannot receive a fair trial because a branch of government has indirectly declared that Major Hasan is a terrorist — that he is criminally culpable.”
via Defense Department says giving Purple Heart to Fort Hood survivors would hurt Hasan trial | Fox News.
But saying it’s not a terrorist attack doesn’t influence those same people? This is sophomoric at best, but bizarrely this is the Line from DoD officials.
Also, there’s a systematic robbing of the Fort Hood victims of benefits and now military awards, which is unconscionable.
For Shame.
