No, this is not an example of lack of discipline in the ranks. This is an example of lack of common sense in the United States. Let's start with the Qu'ran desecrations.
There have been five instances where a U.S. service member has accidentally desecrated a Qu'ran at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. All five of those times the individual in question was severely punished and either reassigned or kicked out of the military. Just getting the boot from the military doesn't seem like that big of a deal until you realize that any company with a contract to be on a base has to sign an agreement that states they will hire no one that was granted a less than honorable discharge. (It's about the same thing as the "gas with oily discharge" you get from Olestra.) Those that have been terminated from Gitmo have severely limited their careers. But I digress, that's not really what this whole thing is about. It's about treating a material item as something greater than itself. For many it's about respecting a culture. The Qu'ran is supposed to be the icon of that culture.
Lets take a look at this picture:
This is an image of Hindus protesting the destruction of those two giant Buddhas in Afghanistan. The book they're turning to confetti is none other than the Qu'ran. No one went to war over it.
How about this one from Korea:
I can't find the image of the Qu'ran burning in South Korea after they had a guy beheaded. If anybody out there still has a copy I'd be much obliged.
Okay, the point here is that the Qu'ran gets desecrated daily. It's no big deal, especially when it's unintentional. Just ask the Wahabists when they burn down a stack of Qu'rans:
Sepahi Sahaba and Wahabis attack the holy Mousque. This is how they claim to be Muslim, to attack children, female people's properties and even the place Islamic prayers.
Article comments
1 - Temple Stark
It is all those other people - and the soldiers - who make life worth living.
Interesting "have my cake ..." post.
2 - Jeremy
Thanks Stark. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
This may sound a bit strange, but after I heard this poem the first time (Zell Miller at the 2004 RNC) I wanted to go out and burn a flag, not in effigy, but in honor to the troops. Also, in honor of the others that don't wear uniforms that work hard to keep freedom free.
3 - Temple Stark
The poem's been around a long time.
Yes - that does sound strange. The flag is a beautiful symbol.
4 - Dave Nalle
There's a big difference between private protestors desecrating the Koran or burning the flag and that same action being taken by on-duty military personnel.
When some Wahabist fires up a Koran he's speaking only for himself. When a soldier does the equivalent while in uniform he's effectively acting on behalf of the military and his government.
Dave
5 - Jeremy
Actually, the Wahabist was speaking for his entire sect. It was a wahabist action, not some lone psycho.
6 - Flush Holy Books
It is great that we live in country where we have the freedom to express ourselves, even if it may offend some. flushaholybook.com allows you to flush the holy book of your choice.