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Since there is a lot I do not know about Islam and the like, I am trying not to oversimplify things and break out the proverbial "broad brush" on this religion or all of it's adherants, for that matter.

Since "Muslims", much like members of other World Faith Traditions (Christianity included, sad to say) seem to spend a fair amount of time and energy in the extermination of others of their own Faith, I think that it would be safe to assume that there are "Muslims", and then there are "muslims", and a bewildering plethora of shades in between.

"Sunis" and "Sufis" seem to be at each other's throats every bit as much as "Catholics" and "Protestants" in Northern Ireland. So does this prove that Christians are every bit as fratricidal as Muslims? I certainly hope not!

Having said that, I think a Soldier's chosen faith system should be considered when granting security clearences, assignments and the like. If the tenets of one's Faith are inconsistant with one's allegiance to Unit or Country, then that dissonance should be taken seriously. At one point, Members of the "Society of Freinds" or "Quakers" who are a traditionally pacifist sect of Christianity were routinely assigned to non-combattant roles in the Military, where they served with valor and distinction. In WW-I, they were issued distinctive uniforms, which I do not think they took to be particularly demeaning or prejudicial at the time.

Some would call it "racial/religious profiling" and be offended, but if it saves lives - or the life of a Nation - so be it!

And while we're on the subject, it seems that (according to a FOX News Consultant) out of the 13 Muslim Chaplains currently in the US Army, 9 of them belong to that radical, fundimentalist sect. We should be seriously re-evaluating the level of "tolerance" shown to these cats and investigating their activities and loyalties closely, as well as those to whom they "minister".

I know this won't happen, but I would like to see the firing squad made up of the Perps fellow Moslems of the 101st. If any of them show the least reluctance to immediately obey their orders, they should be taken out of Theater immediately and discharged.
Then watched very closely for a year or two, as I have a feeling all US Military Moslems will probably be, at some level or another, for quite some time. I would not want one behind me in a Battle, sorry to say.

We might not be surprised if we see a few "accidents" occuring from time to time, in which some of these Brothers of Islam happen upon unfortunate circumstances. The "Screaming Eagles" were a very close-knit, Patriotic bunch of AMERICANS back when I was in the Army (I was not among them, but knew enough of them to be impressed) and did not seem to be the sort to suffer divided allegiences within their ranks all that well.
Nor do I think that they would be awfully open to or tolerant of infiltration from any Enemy, foriegn or domestic.

Unless the Army has been largely "enlightened" by New-Age Sensitivites since my DD-214 came through in 1970, some of the codes they live, fight, and if need be die for are not all written down in some book.

They have been passed along from Old Soldiers to raw Recruits since the days of flintlock smoothbores and tricornered covers.

Had your humble Correspondant any influence in the affairs of this rumble, I would respectfully suggest that the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army be left the hell alone.

They have a long reputation for taking care of themselves and their own, as well as the Country and people they serve and defend consistantly with distinction and gallantry.

Military History will indicate, I think, that anyone who has ever faced them accross a Battlefield quickly learned to avoid meddling with them as much as they possibly could. And i fully expect that when the smoke of this nasty affair in Iraq eventually clears, that this ledgendary and heroic reputation will march on perhaps bloody, but unbowed, towards it's destiny unsullied by such events as we have seen of late.

Roll on, Screamin' Eagles! HU-Rah!