Don't shoot at books you don't know...

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by TteFAboB

They aren't Muslims, they're politicians. They'll squeeze this to get as much juice as they can.

Ding! we have a winner!

[Ducimus]

I have to admit, if i were stuck in a hot, stinking hell hole 3rd world country for umpteen months, with people wanting to kill me, IED's blowing up someone i know or heard of every now and then, getting shot at, etc, i think id probably use the koran for target practice too. Infact, i think its pretty damn funny. The truth is, GI's do alot of stupid **** when their frustrated and/or bored. Only difference his little antic/prank managed to escalate past those closest to him. When you do stupid ****, you do it where only your closest buddies will see and no one else.

[Jacky Fisher]

This is the kind of thing that wins Al-Qaida about a hundred new recruits a day.

Was this soldier briefed at all on the nuances of the local culture.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Jacky Fisher

This is the kind of thing that wins Al-Qaida about a hundred new recruits a day.

Was this soldier briefed at all on the nuances of the local culture.

And this is why we may win battles but may lose the insurgent war.

[August]

Originally Posted by Platapus

And this is why we may win battles but may lose the insurgent war.

Don't worry. If we're so worried over how the Muslim world will react to such a trivial incident that the President of the United States has to personally apologize for it then this war won't be over until one side or the other is totally wiped out. I just don't think we can coexist with people that would kill or jail a person just for destroying a book.

[GlobalExplorer]

Originally Posted by August

Don't worry. If we're so worried over how the Muslim world will react to such a trivial incident that the President of the United States has to personally apologize for it then this war won't be over until one side or the other is totally wiped out. I just don't think we can coexist with people that would kill or jail a person just for destroying a book.

True. For sure it offends them, like it offends other people if the bible is desecrated, but they should be able to express this in a civil manner. Imo the apology is ok, as the incident was unnecessary, but at the same time it was trifle that the president should not have to deal in.

[HunterICX]

Originally Posted by GlobalExplorer

True. For sure it offends them, like it offends other people if the bible is desecrated, but they should be able to express this in a civil manner. Imo the apology is ok, as the incident was unnecessary, but at the same time it was trifle that the president should not have to deal in.

too bad they are unable to do so, as the so called Religious leaders fuel the fire so big you see them go monkey like on the streets yelling for death and destruction of the western world.

the incident was indeed uncalled for, its just a book leave it alone.
because with a bit of common sense those muslim extremist are always waiting for a western person to do something to their holy items.

HunterICX

[Kazuaki Shimazaki II]

I find it interesting that the entire discussion is centered over the issue of the Iraqis demanding the man's head.

It is a sign of Zeitgeist that nobody seems to see how the US decision and the Iraqi demand are two points on the same ladder.

It seems that most people here agree that the Koran is worth a career. The Iraqis contend it is worth a life.

The justification of a Koran (or Bible, or Sutra, or whatever) being worth a career is IMHO the same one that the Iraqis use to argue for a life. Neither can really be justified - the Koran (and Bible, and sutra ... etc), is after all, a book.

If the target had not been labeled "religious", the man would likely have been commended for his initiative in self-training, or at least allowed to pursue his recreation - it is no worse than throwing darts at portraits, for example.

But if you can arbitrarily raise the value of a book to being a large chunk of a human life (blowing someone's career arguably qualifies for this given the importance of a career to livelihood), then why not a full life. It is the same "logic" in different extents.

Just my two cents.

[bradclark1]

Originally Posted by Kazuaki Shimazaki II

Just my two cents.

What he said!
Or
Me too!

[kurtz]

And me! Now if it was a good book...

[TheSatyr]

And how would the religious right wingnuts react if the insurgency was using the Bible for target practice? Probably the same way.

[Tchocky]

Originally Posted by TheSatyr

And how would the religious right wingnuts react if the insurgency was using the Bible for target practice? Probably the same way.

Funny, I'd just read this story

[Subnuts]

It's a shame I couldn't have lended that soldier my copy of Scorpion Down.

What - is the joke getting old? :rotfl:

[Letum]

The reaction is far more about the political situation than about books or religion.

Lots of people looking for something little to get angry about because it is easier to
focus anger on small, specific things than it is on the broader situation.

[Blacklight]

In that part of the world, you could probably get arrested and or put to death if you tossed an old used copy of the Koran into the trash when you purchased a new copy.