[Spiff]

Let us be realistic here. There are American citizens who are Muslims. There are allies, like Jordan and Pakistan, which are Muslim countries. We are currently fighting WITH Muslims in Iraq, in order to defeat the terrorists. Apparently you wish to enrage citizens, alienate allies, and destroy the progress we have made in Iraq....all for a sound bite that will feed your anger.

I'm not asking that the President publicly condemn the Koran - but to include it in the first Inauguration Address following the Islamic attack on America is disturbing. Moreso, that the Koran has never been mentioned in an Inauguration Address before. We had Muslims in America in 2000, we had Muslim allies in 2000, etc. Why didn't Bush mention the Koran then? What changed between then and now? Why mention it now? Why didn't he just NOT mention the Koran?! Did Bush enrage the Buddhists in the U.S. and alienate our Buddhist allies because he did not mention Buddha? Did he offend Hindus because he did not mention Krishna?

[Miss Marple]

Because to NOT mention the Koran would immediately cause the groups like CAIR to start in about how Islam was being disrespected. Their ads would inflame the Americna Muslims, and would be used in propoganda abroad.

When you propose an alternative strategy, it is helpful to think ahead further than immediate gratification. Leaving Islam out of the speech would also direct their enmity to the Jews in even harsher terms, since Judaism was mentioned.

I see nothing wrong with what the President said, and I refuse to subscribe to the idea that anti-Muslim statements woul be at all productive.