Outrage and Silence

NY Times ^ | May 18, 2005 | THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN

[neverdem]

It is hard not to notice two contrasting stories that have run side by side during the past week. One is the story about the violent protests in the Muslim world triggered by a report in Newsweek (which the magazine has now retracted) that U.S. interrogators at Guantánamo Bay desecrated a Koran by throwing it into a toilet. In Afghanistan alone, at least 16 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in anti-American rioting that has been linked to that report. I certainly hope that Newsweek story is incorrect, because it would be outrageous if U.S. interrogators behaved that way.

That said, though, in the same newspapers one can read the latest reports from Iraq, where Baathist and jihadist suicide bombers have killed 400 Iraqi Muslims in the past month - most of them Shiite and Kurdish civilians shopping in markets, walking in funerals, going to mosques or volunteering to join the police.

Yet these mass murders - this desecration and dismemberment of real Muslims by other Muslims - have not prompted a single protest march anywhere in the Muslim world. And I have not read of a single fatwa issued by any Muslim cleric outside Iraq condemning these indiscriminate mass murders of Iraqi Shiites and Kurds by these jihadist suicide bombers, many of whom, according to a Washington Post report, are coming from Saudi Arabia.

The Muslim world's silence about the real desecration of Iraqis, coupled with its outrage over the alleged desecration of a Koran, highlights what we are up against in trying to stabilize Iraq - as well as the only workable strategy going forward.

The challenge we face in Iraq is so steep precisely because the power shift the U.S. and its allies are trying to engineer there is so profound - in both religious...

[expatguy]

And yet now outrage, only silence at The Desecration of Freedom.

God help us all.

An American Expat in Southeast Asia

[expatguy]

now = no

[neverdem]

Thanks for the link.

[New Orleans Slim]

"I certainly hope that Newsweek story is incorrect, because it would be outrageous if U.S. interrogators behaved that way."

Why? It's just a book. (And a book of bad fairy tales at that.) If "flushing" a Koran (more likely throwing it in the s---bucket the cells are equiped with) softens them up, then so be it.

[claudiustg]

---Yet these mass murders - this desecration and dismemberment of real Muslims by other Muslims - have not prompted a single protest march anywhere in the Muslim world. ---

They are pissant hypocrites and liars, that's why. Sometimes it really is just that simple.

[New Orleans Slim]

Oh, it's Friedman. Someone tell him the world is round. Then give him a swirly - or just stick his head in a gitmo s---bucket.

[thoughtomator]

I don't recall Mr. Friedman having any qualms about the crucifix-in-urine episode.

[Enterprise]

I commend him for bringing out this point. A book is "allegedly" trashed vs the mass, brutal murders of human beings. There is no possible comparison. Prayers for those victims, and their grieving families. Monsters still walk the earth, and, IMO, the Democrats cheer them on. JAO

[Xenophon450]

Nothing in the Koran restricting lying convienently

[Travis McGee]

The official Al Queda "terrorist's handbook" orders all jihadists to continue the struggle after capture by claiming to have been tortured and mistreated.

I wonder when the MSM will remember this well known fact?

[federal]

I wonder when the MSM will remember this well known fact?

You don't really expect them to write something positive about the US Military do you?

The overwhelming majority of the media in this country is a disgrace, They hate President Bush and they hate the military. Yet they have the nerve to question why things aren't civil in the public theater. I'm ashamed that I once though these liars were credible, all I can say is I was totally mistaken.

[Thumbellina]

My husband is military and you are right federal. The so called media really showed their "we support our troops" mentality at the WH press conference. Trust me on this one, our WONDERFUL military is pissed off. They are tired of this Anti-Americanism they read and see on the media. Imagine, in one day out 3 yrs of fighting for an American cause against terrorism, it goes . Everything you have been working for, sacrificing for goes to HELL because of a rumor? So, hell with those who have died, sacrificed their body parts for *the cause* right? Ask any Marine, Army, Airforce or Navy if it was worth the cost, and they would give you a HELL YEAH! Why? Because they live it, they see it and they fight for it. Ask Newsweak, where is your witness, where is your proof; show me verbal, written or videos of your accusations. Personally, I'd like to see the DOD say F**k off with the media and let our guys and gals do their job. Reporters, the cowards they are, are ONLY looking for the reward for best LIE. They don't care about our military. They are only in it for the best scoop. If they did, then why don't we see the positive things our troops are doing? Their focus is on the terrorist. What the terrorist accomplish, their *feelings*, and their whiny ass complaints of it's America's fault blah blah. I'm sick and tired of our flag being burned, the death to American chats, blah blah. Screw those people. YOU attacked us, now we will finish this job.

[Paloma_55]

I commend him for bringing out this point. A book is "allegedly" trashed vs the mass, brutal murders of human beings. There is no possible comparison. Prayers for those victims, and their grieving families. Monsters still walk the earth, and, IMO, the Democrats cheer them on. JAO

I have to confess, I could not believe this came from the NY Times.

I had to do a double take.

It is so freakin rational, it is scary. He actually recognized that desecrating a book yielded 17 deaths during violent riots, but the indiscriminate murder of hundreds has not raised a peep from supposedly "moderate" muslims.

I wonder if some liberals might accidently stumble upon this and grow a few brain cells???

[TLOne]

The Muslim reaction to this story reminded me of how the Democrat party reacts in our society.

Outrage at any perceived GOP transgression but blind to the same or worse transgression by their side.

They're both going to lose if they live and believe lies and have no love towards their fellow man.

[Nathan Zachary]

"Yet these mass murders - this desecration and dismemberment of real Muslims by other Muslims - have not prompted a single protest march anywhere in the Muslim world."

Yjat's because in the muslim world, these fanatics ARE the real Muslims, and are showing us what real Islam really is. The Mullahs and Clerics CAN'T condemn these murderous acts, because they are all santioned by the Koran and ways of Muhammad, who was the first terrorist.

[hosepipe]

Oh! Friedman finally got some religion...
Another fine mess hes gotten himself into.. -Oliver Hardy

Next thing, he will turn against the Palestians..
Nah!.. I forgot who I'm talkin about..

[AFPhys]

Newsweek published a FALSE STORY - no matter what the reason. Frankly, it doesn't matter if it had been true!

It does NOT MATTER whether these lies WERE written in "good faith" or EVEN IF THEY WERE NOT LIES. This story should NEVER, EVER have been written in the main stream press, EVEN IF TRUE!!!

This information OUGHT to have been brought to the attention of the US gov't, and let them handle it QUIETLY. Inflammatory information like this must be dealt with RESPONSIBLY - in that case (as in Abu Garib) the US must discover the facts, punish perpetrators if any, deal with systemic problems if they exist, and only after that is done, (usually) release the embargo on the story to that reporter or organization who brought it to light.

It was prima facie clear that this, like the overblown Abu story (that the military was already investigating and in the process of punishing), had great potential to harm the United States and our allies (Iraq, Afghanistan, and others); to kill people and injure others - and it is certainly clear that our civilian leadership would condemn such activities if they were occuring. The proper course for responsible news organizations is to let them know behind closed doors what might be going and to allow them time to clean it up. In extreme cases, the story ought to be embargoed forever, but typically it should be released after a period of time.

A RESPONSIBLE news organization might even state a "story" was shopped to them that was found to be UNTRUE after investigation by proper authority - Newsweek COULD have done that in this particular case, and done a great service to our country and the world in exposing how misinformation can attempt to be planted in the media. They blew it, and instead CAUSED MURDERS and Mayhem.

This "shopped" story brings more than shame to Newsweek, though - people are DEAD who ought not be dead.

It is time to bring back wartime censorship of the press.

REPEAT: IT IS TIME TO BRING BACK WARTIME CENSORSHIP OF THE PRESS.


`\

[iopscusa]

Censor Tommy Friedman and the NYT's, WP's and the rest of these traitors already!

[Elsie]

Nothing in the Koran restricting lying convienently

Yet, in the Book of Mormon believeing group, there is this OTHER bit of 'scripture':

THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS

SECTION 71

Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Hiram, Ohio, December 1, 1831. HC 1: 238—239. The Prophet had continued to translate the Bible with Sidney Rigdon as his scribe until this revelation was received, at which time it was temporarily laid aside so as to enable them to fulfill the instruction given herein. The brethren were to go forth to preach in order to allay the unfriendly feelings that had developed against the Church as a result of the publication of some newspaper articles by Ezra Booth, who had apostatized.

1—4, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon are sent forth to proclaim the gospel; 5—11, Enemies of the saints shall be confounded.

 BEHOLD, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, that the time has verily come that it is necessary and expedient in me that you should open your mouths in ^aproclaiming^• my gospel, the things of the kingdom, expounding the ^bmysteries^• thereof out of the scriptures, according to that portion of Spirit and power which shall be given unto you, even as I will.

 Verily I say unto you, proclaim unto the world in the regions round about, and in the church also, for the space of a season, even until it shall be ^amade^• known unto you.

 Verily this is a mission for a season, which I give unto you.

 Wherefore, ^alabor^• ye in my vineyard. Call upon the inhabitants of the earth, and bear record, and prepare the way for the commandments and revelations which are to come.

 Now, behold this is wisdom; whoso readeth, let him ^aunderstand and ^breceive^• also;

 For unto him that receiveth it shall be given more ^aabundantly^•, even power.

 Wherefore, ^aconfound^• your ^benemies; call upon them to ^cmeet^• you both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their ^dshame shall be made manifest.

 Wherefore, let them bring forth their ^astrong^• reasons against the Lord.

 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you—there is no ^aweapon^• that is formed against you shall prosper;

 And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be ^aconfounded^• in mine own due time.

 Wherefore, ^akeep^• my commandments; they are true and faithful. Even so. Amen.