WISCONSIN – There has been another mass shooting, this one at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin.  Seven are dead, including the suspect.

Obviously this is an obnoxious act that must be thoroughly condemned.  That must be said.  However, I ask that readers examine how it's handled by the media and the Obama administration.  We already know that the deceased suspect, killed by a police officer, is an Army veteran.  And there is already great speculation about motive.  One witness said the shooter had "9-11" tattooed on an arm.  The term "domestic terrorism" is being thrown around.

As the investigation develops, contrast it please with the outrageous behavior of our government, including the president, after the Fort Hood massacre.  Even today, those who testify before Congress about that horror, on behalf of the administration, will refuse to examine the alleged shooter's roots in Islamic extremism.  That happened just last week.  A recent report on FBI handling of the investigation danced around that subject as well.

We are entitled to know the motivation of those who commit crimes, especially acts of terrorism and mass violence.  After the Tucson shootings, you'll recall, some irresponsible journalists tried to link them to Sarah Palin.  After the recent outrage in Aurora, Colorado, guns became the issue. 

But in case after case, where Islamic extremism was clearly involved, the subject was avoided as often as possible.  It is not politically correct.

I have repeatedly said in this space that I have no problem at all with a thoughtful discussion about guns and their availability.  We don't have one.  But we should also demand and insist that the full backgrounds of those who commit heinous acts be exposed, including ideological motivation.  And we should insist on knowing why certain facts about a potentially dangerous character are investigated, while others are not.

It's not too much to ask.

August 6,  2012