ANGRY LETTER: Arrested soldier blasted U.S. view of Muslims

Union Leader ^ | 2/14/04 | ELIZABETH M. GILLESPIE , AP

[kattracks]

EVERETT, Wash. — A National Guardsman suspected of trying to share military information with al-Qaida is a Muslim convert who complained bitterly in a letter to a newspaper about “bigotry, hatred and mindless rage” in the United States.

Spc. Ryan G. Anderson, 26, was arrested Thursday and was being held at Fort Lewis. The tank crew member from the Guard’s 81st Armor Brigade was taken into custody just days before he was to leave for duty in Iraq.

Long before his arrest, he had made some of his beliefs known in strongly worded letters to the editor.

“In my three years as an observant Muslim, I’ve encountered nothing but kindness, patience, courtesy and understanding from them,” he wrote in a November 2002 letter to the Herald of Everett. “On the other hand, I have experienced bigotry, hatred and mindless rage from so-called ‘educated thinkers’ here in the U.S.”

Anderson also suggested that his allegiance to the United States was conditional.

In a 1998 letter published by The Spokesman-Review newspaper in Spokane, he warned: “Today I am a young soldier, sworn to protect and defend this country. But if tomorrow I find that this nation is no longer the one based upon the freedom I was taught to love, I’ll have little choice but to go where I can live in freedom.”

Speaking on condition of anonymity, defense officials said Anderson signed on to extremist Internet chat rooms and tried to get in touch with al-Qaida operatives. It is unclear how the U.S. government got wind of his alleged offer to supply military information to the terrorists. It does not appear he transmitted any information to al-Qaida, authorities said.

Anderson grew up in this city 30 miles north of Seattle, graduating from Cascade High School in 1995. He then attended Washington State University, where he earned a degree in history in 2002. He began studying Islam in 1999, according to his most recent letter to the Herald in 2002.

TV satellite trucks lined the street outside his parents’ home yesterday, but no one made an appearance. His father, Bruce Anderson, issued a statement saying the family was stunned by the arrest but is confident the code of military justice will afford the younger Anderson a fair trial.

It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer.

[PattonReincarnated]

Sometimes there is just evil in the world. Why would anyone convert to Islam on their own free will? A religion whose prophet was a pedophile. A religion whose prophet attacked merchant caravans traveling from Syria to Mecca. (In today’s terms we call that called terrorism.) A prophet that is exulted for killing off a Jewish tribe after each of the three Meccan Wars. (In today’s terms we call that ethnic cleansing.) You don’t have to look any further into this religion of peace. You don’t have to look at how Islam was spread by the sword. It is clearly documented in the writings of Islam and in history that Mohammad was; in today’s terms, what we would call a terrorist. Compare that to Jesus Christ.

[MEG33]

I read Socialists sites that link to otherwise"innocent organizations"ANSWER" >anti war.
I have cruised around radical sites to know who the enemy is...I read to see what the propaganda is and whose in cahoots with who.

Isn't the internet grand!

[Prodigal Son]

For a world traveler, you seem to have a few soft spots on your head.

OK. Your input is duly noted. Thanks.

[skip2myloo]

We better watch out, we'll each have a cell on either side of Anderson.

If there is an argument to be made that Anderson was captured by the Dark Side of the Force -- I think its high time we all wake up (regardless whether we have school age children) and participate in our public schools.

It's our fault our children (in a macro sense) are not learning about the history and foundations of this wonderful country.

Lynne Cheney is working hard, using her bully pulpit, to shine light on this issue -- we all need to sign up and help.

[DCPatriot]

Well, the saying that you shouldn't discuss religion or politics with casusal acquaintances had to have some truth and basis to it.

Me? I have a manic hatred for hard-nosed Liberalism. I have a manic hatred for those followers of Islam that call for literal jihad against the West.

Yet, when I put on my business wear, I try to appear neutral to my clientele. While I hope I live long enough to piss on Clinton's grave (and I *will* pee on it) I always say that I haven't made my mind up if somebody asks who I'm for.

[SevenofNine]

You know what Ernest I been reading Aussie Age wire about this guy

HEY I got news for this guy hey maybe belong to religion that blow up people supress women rights may not be good idea dude

[Libertina]

Hi MarMema... back late to this thread. I attended WSU for a year. I don't remember any middle eastern/islamic studies and most people wee actually woking hard to get an education. It seems to me that the official imams or whatever the recruiters are called, all tell the new followers that the west is satan. Christianity asks us to convert people, but through example and love. Jesus was strong but compassionate. He refused amny earthly treasures and worked with the poor and sick. He never married and wasn't rich. He loved his enemies. He accomplished that which was impossible for us.

But Islam clearly teaches that non-beleivers are evil and can be killed or used as slaves. Enemies were to be fought in battle. Their "leader" was a warrior who killed people and had many wives and riches.

So, what's the big surprise that Islam is such a "religion of peace"? /s

[Libertina]

mindless? Yes, he is.

[CyberCowboy777]

Not sure, I live in Washougal. LOL!

Very interesting story though, not unlike the American Taliban kid from Cali.

[Jim Robinson]

"I bet Jim Robinson has been required to identify users of this site to the government.

Under the Patriot Act, it would be a felony for Jim to warn us that the government is asking him to identify us."

Wrong. The government has never approached me, warned me, notified me, or asked for any information regarding our users or anything else. I've had zero contact from the government.

[skip2myloo]

That's GREAT news !!

Thanks

[Publius6961]

Me: For a world traveler, you seem to have a few soft spots on your head.
You: OK. Your input is duly noted. Thanks.

In the interest of clarity, I should repeat what prompted my remark. A mind-boggling mindless assertion:
You: To the Taliban, freedom means freedom to practice Sharia.

[A.J.Armitage]

Is it that you want today's luxuries with yesterday's perceived freedoms?

What's wrong with that?

[Prodigal Son]

Aye, to the Taliban, that is how they interpret freedom. Is there something factually wrong with that statement?

The dems interpret freedom to mean the ability to have abortions and take your firearms away.

Is there something factually wrong with that?

It's a fact, that's the way they think about it.

Why does this mean I am soft in the head?