Posted on 10/22/2006 7:50:40 PM PDT by World_Events
WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) _ Muslims at the U.S. Military Academy numbered just two in 2001. This year, there are 32.
Now West Point has opened its first space dedicated to Muslims, a worship hall complete with a pulpit facing Mecca. The space officially opened Thursday.
"I knew the Army had a policy of religious tolerance, but I didn't know it was to this extent," said first-year Cadet Ahmed Moomin, 20, from the Maldives.
Until now, Friday prayers were held in an increasingly crowded first-floor office, said Imam Asadullah, the academy's Muslim cleric. The number of Muslim cadets jumped by 10 from last year.
The new hall is large enough for dozens of followers, he said.
West Point's Muslim leaders approached administrators last year for help.
"We live in a world where everyone is looking at the United States saying, 'You're anti-Islam.' But here at West Point, that's not what we do," West Point Chaplain Col. John Cook said.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
how do you know who they are, unless a background check is done on them?
I appreciate your contention, but unfortunately, that is not legal justification for the United States Military Academy to ignore the United States Constitution. And that is the point I've been making all along. You aren't going to get me to justify Islam. I won't. But I will defend our military and its adherence to defending the Constitution it is sworn to defend.
One might be led to think that if international law enforcement authorities and Western intelligence agencies had discovered a twenty-year old document revealing a top-secret plan developed by the oldest Islamist organization with one of the most extensive terror networks in the world to launch a program of cultural invasion and eventual conquest of the West that virtually mirrors the tactics used by Islamists for more than two decades, that such news would scream from headlines published on the front pages and above the fold of the New York Times, Washington Post, London Times, Le Monde, Bild, and La Repubblica.
If thats what you might think, you would be wrong.
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Printable.asp?ID=22415
I agree.
Than your WWII model does NOT fit because we allowed Germans and Japanese to serve in our military BEFORE we defeated the radical elements in their societies.
"tell me how we can screen these west point entrants to determine if they are not radicals?"
Ever have a security clearance background investigation?
" I want detailed FBI background checks on each and every one of them before that happens. I want the NSA tapping their phones. can we do that?"
You and I both know we are already doing that.
So USMA builds these guys a couple of rooms so they can pray, and suddenly it's the end of the world. The Army Officer Corps has been overrun by Al Qaeda. The sky is falling. Game over, man.
If these guys really wanted to Akbar some company grade officer out in the desert, they're going about it the stupid way. They could've just enlisted 11X; they'd have weapons and be downrange with hajji in a year. The fact they're getting into the Army the long, hard way is sort of a clue that they're not interested in killing Americans.
I apologize if I went out on a rant; these guys are cadidiots, which are even lower than the lowest ossifer, and someone needs to stick up for them.
And Rokke replied:
It was. Japanese fought with distinction in the US military after Pearl Harbor
There is something VERY important that you left out, though, Rokke.
The Japanese who were enlisted to fight for the United States in World War II were sent to the _European_ theather. They DID NOT fight other Japanese.
And, having said that, I postulate:
When the time comes - and it will - can we expect Islamic officers of our own forces to lead their troops against other Islamics?
Well, perhaps. But speaking for myself, I would not trust them in such a command.
I'm sure you would, right?
- John
Bingo. And they aren't. They aren't getting any less either. They are, after all, American citizens.
Thats it, we have lost this war!
Congrats, you beat my by ONE year.
Thanks for the service, and all that....but the fact that what you think "you know" does not mean squat.
Get me?
The Skipper of the USS Cole also knew it was just another port call.
The soldiers in Somalia knew they were doing a job for this country.
And the innocent civilians in the the World Trade Center towers knew they were just going to another day at work.
I don't agree with their religion...but I don't find much I agree with in atheists or Buddhists,
I do!
Let me play Captain Obvious here.
I guess I need to point out to you that the neither the atheists nor Buddhiests have flown fully loaded jet liners into occupied office towers - like the World Trade Centers.
Notice the "S" - two of them!!!!!!!!
Atheists and Buddhiests DO NOT KILL PEOPLE for lack of belief in their faith.
You, sir, don't know.....squat....about beans.
"And even if an American, enrollment is a privilege not a right."
Yes, and these young men and women have earned the privilege of attending West Point based on their stellar credentials.
How am I "flat out wrong," and how can I be expected to believe that I am "flat out wrong" when you provided absolutely no evidence, just your assertion?
Hamas is a recognized terrorist organization. Anyone belonging to Hamas belongs to a terrorist organization. Islam is not a recognized terrorist organization. It is a religion. A screwed up religion, but a religion nonetheless. Neither West Point, your local police department or your kid's pre-school can exclude a person for being a Muslim.
"Thats it, we have lost this war!"
Yes, you're right. We have lost this war because West Point now uses a couple of rooms as a worship space for some excellent cadets who happen to be Muslim.
Damn shame, letting some of the best & brightest this nation has to offer pray how they would like.
Sure. And you join a long list on this thread too shallow to come up with any legal justification West Point can use to exclude Muslims.
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