Posted on 05/18/2008 12:58:54 PM PDT by rocksblues
BAGHDAD (AP) - An American soldier used a Quran, the Islamic holy book, for target practice in a predominantly Sunni area west of Baghdad, prompting an apology from the U.S. military, a spokesman said Sunday.
snip
Iraqi police found the bullet-riddled Quran with graffiti inside the cover on a small-arms range near a police station in Radwaniyah, a former insurgent stronghold west of Baghdad, U.S. military spokesman Col. Bill Buckner said in an e-mailed response to a query.
The shooting, which occurred May 9 and was discovered two days later, threatened to further strain relations between the Americans and Sunni allies who have joined forces with them against al-Qaida in Iraq in Radwaniyah and other areas.
The incident was first reported by CNN, which broadcast a ceremony at which the top American commander in Baghdad apologized to tribal leaders in Radwaniyah. The military confirmed the details in an e-mailed response to a query.
"I come before you here seeking your forgiveness," Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond was quoted as saying. "In the most humble manner I look in your eyes today and I say please forgive me and my soldiers."
The military statement called the incident "serious and deeply troubling" but stressed it was the result of one soldier's actions and "not representative of the professionalism of our soldiers or the respect they have for all faiths."
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.myway.com ...
Sounds like a good target to me.
Some of you may have seen this before.
Written by a housewife from New Jersey.
“Are we fighting a war on terror or aren’t we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001 ?
Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan , across the Potomac from our nation’s capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania ? Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn’t they?
And I’m supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was “desecrated” when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?...Well, I don’t. I don’t care at all.
I’ll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.
I’ll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia . I’ll care when these thugs tell the world they is sorry for hacking off Nick Berg’s head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.
I’ll care when the cowardly so-called “insurgents” in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.
I’ll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.
I’ll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution’s Bill of Rights.
In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don’t care.
When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured: I don’t care.
When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don’t care.
When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed “special” food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being “mishandled,” you can absolutely
believe in your heart of hearts: I don’t care.
And oh, by the way, I’ve noticed that sometimes it’s spelled “Koran” and other times “Quran.” Well, Jimmy Crack Corn and -you guessed it -I don’t care ! ! ! ! !
Sooner or later, it’ll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!
If you don’t agree, then by all means hit the delete button. Should you choose the latter, then please don’t complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great country!
And may I add:
Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don’t have that problem.” — Ronald Reagan
I have another quote that I would like to add AND.......I hope you forward all this.
“If we ever forget that we’re One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” also by.. Ronald Reagan
One last thought for the day:
In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England ‘s Prime Minister Tony Blair’s words during a recent interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he said:
“A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in... And how many want out.”
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. “
Our job is to create enough stability that we can move our guys back home. This kind of idiotic provocation just turns people we want on our side against us, and makes it easier for the provocateurs to tell potential recruits, "see, this is how the two-faced Americans really are." It's called respect. In India, the person who wants to get on his way with maximum speed drives around the cows and not over them whatever his personal views of their sacredness.
If the above is the attitude of most Americans we might as well do the world a favor and pack up in Iraq and come home. This isn't fighting Iraqi insurgency, it is fighting our own dumb damned prejudices about how other people should look at us, a view that goes both ways, in fact.
Why is this so hard? The poor guy is desperately trying to turn it around and do it right over there and he is stabbed in the back by the so-called "patriots" back home.
It has been hammered on here for a week. There is no gain in keeping it on the front page other than to appease the liberals. It is over. The US Military groveled to a bunch of towel heads, so let it slide. Continual posting of some of this “news” is achieving nothing other than rubbing our noses in it.
Is anyone posting how the US government backed regime of Korea murdered all those poor innocent people 60 years ago?
Do you find it somewhat remarkable that the pressure is on with the Dimmycraps, and all of a sudden all this trash news begins appearing?.....eh?
Well, what about the one who died for your soul?
God Almighty has tried to wipe these people from the face of the earth.
What makes you think we stand a chance of changing anything?
Hell no I dont agree with the enemy, I think it is a shame that our military groveled to the towel heads. In a way I can appreciate what the sniper did, but he has to be at least a sergeant, and by that rank should be smart enough not to create a FUBAR.
It would be somewhat akin to going to your family reunion and putting a turd in your punchbowl. Even though it would be hilarious, it would certainly be lacking in judgement.
You seem to be a new version of the Posting Police.
Normally they just dictate where something should be posted, not that something shouldn’t be posted and discussed.
Sorry, it isn’t up to you what Freepers post and discuss.
EXACTLY
Our government from POTUS-congress needs to hold it's head in shame for making Iraq an impossible PC Boondoggle.
EXACTLY
Which means we have to stay in Iraq for the next 50 years kissing their A$$.
The best way to keep Al Qaeda out of the U.S. is securing our borders. The best way to deal with those who do come in is through armed U.S. Citizens so none of their threats like the 9/11 hi-jackings can work.
I prefer the Patton, McArthur, N.B. Forrest, Sherman, and other more proven and traditional approaches to conducting warfare. Middle East culture has been around a long time and is not going to change. Not much has changed in 3500 years as far as culture. Playing nice isn't gona change them either.
A wiser leader of our nation understood there was no reasoning with them. He remained silent for example when Israel in a few minutes time destroyed Saddams nuclear capabilities. He also stayed out of the Iran/Iraq war for the most part. Remember that? They were too busy fighting each other to be a bother U.S.?
You must be kidding -- I wouldn't even defile a pig's behind with those foul pages.
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