The story of the Fort Hood shooting isn’t all that complicated.  Muslim radicalizes and becomes jihadist.  Radical jihadist then kills 13 infidels.  It’s quickly becoming as common as boy meets girl.

The story of the lead-up to the shooting is far murkier.  As the evidence continues to trickle out about the degree to which authorities were aware of Nidal Hasan’s radical beliefs, a single question emerges: just what the hell were they thinking by allowing this jihadist to remain in the military?

Hasan often railed against both U.S. wars in the Middle East and was known to have anti-American views and a propensity for seditious commentary.  He also had ties with a radical mosque connected to the 9/11 attacks, and sought to communicate with a terrorist supporting, anti-American imam.  Given what the FBI knew of Hasan’s views and actions, it is inexcusable that no action was taken.  One can only conclude that excessive multiculturalism contributed to this failure.  Questioning or removing a Muslim soldier for radical views would just be too insensitive.

This episode illustrates perfectly our self-imposed incapacity to deal with radical Islamic jihad.  Yet we do not learn.  Immediately after the attack, as with all radical jihadist attacks, our leaders wring their hands about an “anti-Muslim backlash” that is often predicted but never materializes.  Everyone knows this isn’t about Muslims or Islam in general, but a particular and toxic strain that wages war against us.  The denialist culture that allowed an outspoken, anti-American jihadist to remain in the US military despite frequent seditious outbursts continues unabated.  When will we get serious and treat jihadism as the enemy that it is?