US sniper shot at Koran in Iraq

[local 12 proud]

It's completely nuts, and the entirely insane "Politically Correct" thing's gotten so far outta' hand as to be ill-served by way of addressing with mere words. "Respect" is a two way street...and NONE/ZIP/ZERO comes forth for western culture from the Islamic regions in general. During "Sand Wars One/The Prequel": I well recall seeing Christmas trees unloaded from cargo aircraft during Dec of '90..that were brought in by night..and furtively ushered into tents/buildings..so as not to "offend" the very people who would, but for the American forces, have otherwise been getting their teeth brushed with Iraqi T-72 tank tracks. Chaplains of any kind..were "properly" to only be referrred to as "Morale Officers"..The overall BS"s just far, far..waaa-aaay too deep to adequately comment on.

Don't get me wrong..I can certainly understand the lunatic-hysteria surrounding this. Had the sniper put the same bullet through another mere human being..we'd have heard nothing of it, and there'd be no "Righteous indignation"..but: "Shoot a BOOK!!??"...ummm..yeah....our societal priorites are clearly well established...and fully "sane".

One bright spot in this incident though = It seems that anyone who's fully sick of The Sandbox..now only needs put a hole into a "Holy" book to get to come home alive, and even in one piece

Btw: I certainly wouldn't want to "offend" anyone with that notion..so I'd suggest allowing any/all that shoot at whatever persuasion of "Holy" book they wish, (Be it even Horton Hears a Who or whatever ANYONE anywhere, might even possibly hold "sacred"), should be accorded the same privilege..ummm.."punishment"...without the least bit of any improper discrimination attatched. "Soldier!/Marine/Airman!...Haven't you heard!!?? = Shoot a book and you get to come home!" 😉 Given the tenets of "Political Correctiness"..we can't possibly afford to discriminate in any way. The Torah, writings on Zoroasterism, the Book of Mormon, the Baghavad Gita, the Bible, any teachings of Buddha, any texts on Confucius, Seth Speaks, Scientology texts, Greek/Roman Mythology, studies of Aztec sacrificial rituals...you name it...somebody finds it "sacred". It ALL ought to be fair "game" for a trip home. To do otherwise ranks of the utmost discrimination....and we all know that no one's feelings should ever be hurt within any deadly war zone....much, much less ever have their sensibilites put off in any way.

Spot on and brilliant...

 

[Cosworth]

It's completely nuts, and the entirely insane "Politically Correct" thing's gotten so far outta' hand as to be ill-served by way of addressing with mere words. "Respect" is a two way street...and NONE/ZIP/ZERO comes forth for western culture from the Islamic regions in general. During "Sand Wars One/The Prequel": I well recall seeing Christmas trees unloaded from cargo aircraft during Dec of '90..that were brought in by night..and furtively ushered into tents/buildings..so as not to "offend" the very people who would, but for the American forces, have otherwise been getting their teeth brushed with Iraqi T-72 tank tracks. Chaplains of any kind..were "properly" to only be referrred to as "Morale Officers"..The overall BS"s just far, far..waaa-aaay too deep to adequately comment on.

Don't get me wrong..I can certainly understand the lunatic-hysteria surrounding this. Had the sniper put the same bullet through another mere human being..we'd have heard nothing of it, and there'd be no "Righteous indignation"..but: "Shoot a BOOK!!??"...ummm..yeah....our societal priorites are clearly well established...and fully "sane".

One bright spot in this incident though = It seems that anyone who's fully sick of The Sandbox..now only needs put a hole into a "Holy" book to get to come home alive, and even in one piece

Btw: I certainly wouldn't want to "offend" anyone with that notion..so I'd suggest allowing any/all that shoot at whatever persuasion of "Holy" book they wish, (Be it even Horton Hears a Who or whatever ANYONE anywhere, might even possibly hold "sacred"), should be accorded the same privilege..ummm.."punishment"...without the least bit of any improper discrimination attatched. "Soldier!/Marine/Airman!...Haven't you heard!!?? = Shoot a book and you get to come home!" 😉 Given the tenets of "Political Correctiness"..we can't possibly afford to discriminate in any way. The Torah, writings on Zoroasterism, the Book of Mormon, the Baghavad Gita, the Bible, any teachings of Buddha, any texts on Confucius, Seth Speaks, Scientology texts, Greek/Roman Mythology, studies of Aztec sacrificial rituals...you name it...somebody finds it "sacred". It ALL ought to be fair "game" for a trip home. To do otherwise ranks of the utmost discrimination....and we all know that no one's feelings should ever be hurt within any deadly war zone....much, much less ever have their sensibilites put off in any way.

I seem to recall trying to use the "well he started it" argument when I was a toddler. It did not work then and it does not seem the argument has gained any substance in the last several decades either. What else do you have?

The US is supposedly the land of laws. A beacon for freedom and justice. The heathens we are trying to save are not supposed to be on the same field that we are on. So it appears we have abandoned our playing field and joined the heathens on their field.

Gee, a totalitarian, fundamentalist religious zealots don't respect our beliefs or traditions? Well color me surprised. I never would have guessed. I always held the US to a higher standard. I always thought that in the US you did the right thing because it was the right thing to do, regardless of cost. We let murders free because violating their civil rights is a cost we, as a nation are not willing to incur. It appears t me that far to many in the US are willing to sacrifice what this nation stands for because they are scared. We have sold out the soul of this nation for the sake of expediency and fear. We have forsaken the roots of this nation and we are becoming what we are fighting.


The short version for those of you who fail to understand the above. What the soldier did was wrong regardless of what the "heathens" do. One wrong does not justify another wrong.

 

[EastUS]

I seem to recall trying to use the "well he started it" argument when I was a toddler. It did not work then and it does not seem the argument has gained any substance in the last several decades either. What else do you have?

Umm..where/how/from what possible portion, did you choose to imagine your own notions discovered and somehow "justified" within my posting?

Speaking of the logic of toddlers: Any given movement based upon global conquest and the enslavement of all "infidels" due to national and/or religious insanity, hardly qualifies as kindergarten material...(unless you were raised in an unusually "tough neighborhood"..say..umm..Poland in 1939, or China in '38/etc)..and those who offer suicidally irrational support for embracing or respecting such vicious insanity, are suitably of the childlike perceptive state of "awareness"...so perhaps the toddler reference is somewhat apt.

"The US is supposedly the land of laws." Newsflash = this didn't happen in the US, but rather within an utterly insane enviornment wherein over 4,000 Americans have had their lives brutally cut short in the performance of their Duty..and many thousands more severely wounded/crippled/etc.....next?

"A beacon for freedom and justice." Ummm..sure..if you say so. I'm more of the practical thought that America isn't actually responsible for the entire globe, and is more properly dedicated to her own peoples' lives and needs...but then...I don't buy into much in the way of political fantasyland BS. Freedom's the finest gift mankind has ever attained within even tiny fragments of the human population. It's ALWAYS cost much blood to achieve at ANY level, much less to long-maintain. Speak to me of the "justice" involved with the virtual destruction of Japan and Germany during WWII, and the slaughter of millions of those nation's people. Was it required?..I fully believe that it tragically was...Was it "just"?...or should everyone have just sat down, had a nice group hug, and talked everything out over a few cups of latte? I'd ALWAYS prefer such a settlement methodology (although I lean towards mocha myself)..BUT: Would that last have been even remotely possible?..or were there indeed, murderous regimes fully intent upon enslaving all others..including our forebears? I'm a full believer in the observation that "War is the sum of all evil"...but...when others want you/us dead or enslaved..and aren't much interested in group hugs or lattes..(or even mochas)...you tell me what's possible to actually do? I'm not a huge fan of surrendering wholesale.

"The heathens we are trying to save are not supposed to be on the same field that we are on." Oh really!!??..umm...err..so..then why do you have such astonishing respect for their beliefs and superstitions/religions/whatever? If they're not "on the same field we are on"?...Which, btw..seems unbelievably patronizing to those you'd demand such respect for. One of us is thouroughly "confused" I'm afraid 🙄 "So it appears we have abandoned our playing field and joined the heathens on their field." I'd offer that our "playing field" came crashing down some years ago..courtesy of the "few extremists" that...yadda, yadda, I know..sigh/etc..supposedly don't represent the whole of their huge and actual support base throughout their chosen religion's bastions. Whenever in history it's gotten to the nasty, nay obscene, business of killing people...there's just not much "play nice" involved...nor much room for group hugs of any sort.

"Gee, a totalitarian, fundamentalist religious zealots don't respect our beliefs or traditions?" Sigh..I wouldn't dare say any such thing..as it'd be hugely patronizing, and certainly, "politically incorrect"

"I always held the US to a higher standard." Good for you...and I hold any/all enemies to certain "standards" myself = Seek our destruction in any way...and pay the price.

"I always thought that in the US you did the right thing because it was the right thing to do, regardless of cost." Sheesh! DO, please..tell us all exactly what constitutes "the right thing"? at all times? infallibly?..and/etc/ad-nauseum...What part of the country did you grow up in?...Certainly not any portion within which thousands of native americans were previously slaughtered so that long-passed generations..and now YOU, could have homes and lives? Perhaps you were more gently raised in the areas formerly filled with slaves? In ANY case..you live in some area that only now exists as a part of the nation, due to the slaughter of thousands of British soldiers long ago. Are you even starting to "get" that nothing in this world has EVER actually functioned on any purely idealistic/"let's all just play nice/share all our toys/food/oil/etc" basis at ANY period in history..ANYWHERE on earth?

"We have sold out the soul of this nation for the sake of expediency and fear. We have forsaken the roots of this nation and we are becoming what we are fighting." Aww...that's so very touching...and fully demonstrates an utter lack of any real knowledge of the honest and actual history,, even the very "soul" of this nation, which has been extremely bloody, but far, far more admirable than that of any other contemporary power that comes to mind at all. The sorts that actually established this nation would likely, quite casually, drop kick such bogus sentimentality off the nearest cliff and laugh themselves sick at it's utter naievete. The people that built this country were a pretty tough crowd..to say the least. Can you even begin to imagine the highest ranked politicians having the spine for killing each other in duels? Where's that put Alexander Hamilton? How about a President personally shooting an intruder from a White House window?...See listings under Andrew Jackson. Have you EVER even thought for the briefest of moments..about what/how/when/who actually established this Nation that we're extremely priviledged to live in?....What the methodologies were?...and just how ALL this vast amount of land was actually put under a single federal control?..much less maintained?..Ever hear of the over 600.000 fallen between 1861-1865? Ummm.. The men and women that established this nation did so at HUGE costs to themselves and others. Ive no fantasy that such an accomplishment's ever painless, or bloodless...and Freedom, of any sort..isn't a fundamental "gift" to the entire world...it has to be fought for and EARNED. To "think" otherwise requires the individual to entirely discount ALL of actual human history...period. Believe it or not...I also have some goodly understanding of the perspectives and beliefs of our current foes..but; the operative word remains = "foes"...who are simply NOT going to seriously join us for some group hugs and coffee..even if we offer to buy, and let them pick from latte vs mocha.😉

"The short version for those of you who fail to understand the above." Ah..no "liberal" diatribe would be complete without a toxic amount of patronizing and condesencion...based upon some absurdly, self-attributed 'wisdom"...only obtainable via direct interface with like-"minded" individuals, equally ignorant of most all aspects of harsh reality, and largely untouched by the same within their own comfortable lives. "What the soldier did was wrong..." I couldn't possibly care less if you see something so utterly trival as some "big deal" ...Would you be far better pleased if he'd used the bullets on other human beings instead of that marvelous, and oh-so-precious freakin' book?.......next 🙄

"The short version for those of you who fail to understand the above."..is that you've spent far too much time sipping lattes..and far too little time honestly looking around at the world......

 

[delldude]

I seem to recall trying to use the "well he started it" argument when I was a toddler. It did not work then and it does not seem the argument has gained any substance in the last several decades either. What else do you have?

The US is supposedly the land of laws. A beacon for freedom and justice. The heathens we are trying to save are not supposed to be on the same field that we are on. So it appears we have abandoned our playing field and joined the heathens on their field.

Gee, a totalitarian, fundamentalist religious zealots don't respect our beliefs or traditions? Well color me surprised. I never would have guessed. I always held the US to a higher standard. I always thought that in the US you did the right thing because it was the right thing to do, regardless of cost. We let murders free because violating their civil rights is a cost we, as a nation are not willing to incur. It appears t me that far to many in the US are willing to sacrifice what this nation stands for because they are scared. We have sold out the soul of this nation for the sake of expediency and fear. We have forsaken the roots of this nation and we are becoming what we are fighting.


The short version for those of you who fail to understand the above. What the soldier did was wrong regardless of what the "heathens" do. One wrong does not justify another wrong.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone,brother..........

Like Bill Clinton says😀epends on what your definition of wrong is

 

[Cosworth]

Umm..where/how/from what possible portion, did you choose to imagine your own notions discovered and somehow "justified" within my posting?

Speaking of the logic of toddlers: Any given movement based upon global conquest and the enslavement of all "infidels" due to national and/or religious insanity, hardly qualifies as kindergarten material...(unless you were raised in an unusually "tough neighborhood"..say..umm..Poland in 1939, or China in '38/etc)..and those who offer suicidally irrational support for embracing or respecting such vicious insanity, are suitably of the childlike perceptive state of "awareness"...so perhaps the toddler reference is somewhat apt.

"The US is supposedly the land of laws." Newsflash = this didn't happen in the US, but rather within an utterly insane enviornment wherein over 4,000 Americans have had their lives brutally cut short in the performance of their Duty..and many thousands more severely wounded/crippled/etc.....next?

So we leave our laws at the door when we leave our boarders?

"A beacon for freedom and justice." Ummm..sure..if you say so. I'm more of the practical thought that America isn't actually responsible for the entire globe, and is more properly dedicated to her own peoples' lives and needs...but then...I don't buy into much in the way of political fantasyland BS. Freedom's the finest gift mankind has ever attained within even tiny fragments of the human population. It's ALWAYS cost much blood to achieve at ANY level, much less to long-maintain. Speak to me of the "justice" involved with the virtual destruction of Japan and Germany during WWII, and the slaughter of millions of those nation's people. Was it required?..I fully believe that it tragically was...Was it "just"?...or should everyone have just sat down, had a nice group hug, and talked everything out over a few cups of latte? I'd ALWAYS prefer such a settlement methodology (although I lean towards mocha myself)..BUT: Would that last have been even remotely possible?..or were there indeed, murderous regimes fully intent upon enslaving all others..including our forebears? I'm a full believer in the observation that "War is the sum of all evil"...but...when others want you/us dead or enslaved..and aren't much interested in group hugs or lattes..(or even mochas)...you tell me what's possible to actually do? I'm not a huge fan of surrendering wholesale.


Never said we were responsible for the world. Just making the point that if we want to extol the virtues of the US way of life, we ought to walking that walk and not just talking about it.


"The heathens we are trying to save are not supposed to be on the same field that we are on." Oh really!!??..umm...err..so..then why do you have such astonishing respect for their beliefs and superstitions/religions/whatever? If they're not "on the same field we are on"?...Which, btw..seems unbelievably patronizing to those you'd demand such respect for. One of us is thouroughly "confused" I'm afraid 🙄 "So it appears we have abandoned our playing field and joined the heathens on their field." I'd offer that our "playing field" came crashing down some years ago..courtesy of the "few extremists" that...yadda, yadda, I know..sigh/etc..supposedly don't represent the whole of their huge and actual support base throughout their chosen religion's bastions. Whenever in history it's gotten to the nasty, nay obscene, business of killing people...there's just not much "play nice" involved...nor much room for group hugs of any sort.

I respect others because that is the way I was raised. I am not the one who believes we are better than the rest. The US is the arrogant one thinking that everyone wants a democracy in their lands. The US seems to think they are better than the rest and on a separate playing field. It is my contention that we are not.

"Gee, a totalitarian, fundamentalist religious zealots don't respect our beliefs or traditions?" Sigh..I wouldn't dare say any such thing..as it'd be hugely patronizing, and certainly, "politically incorrect"

"I always held the US to a higher standard." Good for you...and I hold any/all enemies to certain "standards" myself = Seek our destruction in any way...and pay the price.

"I always thought that in the US you did the right thing because it was the right thing to do, regardless of cost." Sheesh! DO, please..tell us all exactly what constitutes "the right thing"? at all times? infallibly?..and/etc/ad-nauseum...What part of the country did you grow up in?...Certainly not any portion within which thousands of native americans were previously slaughtered so that long-passed generations..and now YOU, could have homes and lives? Perhaps you were more gently raised in the areas formerly filled with slaves? In ANY case..you live in some area that only now exists as a part of the nation, due to the slaughter of thousands of British soldiers long ago. Are you even starting to "get" that nothing in this world has EVER actually functioned on any purely idealistic/"let's all just play nice/share all our toys/food/oil/etc" basis at ANY period in history..ANYWHERE on earth?

Thank you for proving my point. Our history does not jibe with the advertisement we try and shove down the worlds throat.

"We have sold out the soul of this nation for the sake of expediency and fear. We have forsaken the roots of this nation and we are becoming what we are fighting." Aww...that's so very touching...and fully demonstrates an utter lack of any real knowledge of the honest and actual history,, even the very "soul" of this nation, which has been extremely bloody, but far, far more admirable than that of any other contemporary power that comes to mind at all. The sorts that actually established this nation would likely, quite casually, drop kick such bogus sentimentality off the nearest cliff and laugh themselves sick at it's utter naievete. The people that built this country were a pretty tough crowd..to say the least. Can you even begin to imagine the highest ranked politicians having the spine for killing each other in duels? Where's that put Alexander Hamilton? How about a President personally shooting an intruder from a White House window?...See listings under Andrew Jackson. Have you EVER even thought for the briefest of moments..about what/how/when/who actually established this Nation that we're extremely priviledged to live in?....What the methodologies were?...and just how ALL this vast amount of land was actually put under a single federal control?..much less maintained?..Ever hear of the over 600.000 fallen between 1861-1865? Ummm.. The men and women that established this nation did so at HUGE costs to themselves and others. Ive no fantasy that such an accomplishment's ever painless, or bloodless...and Freedom, of any sort..isn't a fundamental "gift" to the entire world...it has to be fought for and EARNED. To "think" otherwise requires the individual to entirely discount ALL of actual human history...period. Believe it or not...I also have some goodly understanding of the perspectives and beliefs of our current foes..but; the operative word remains = "foes"...who are simply NOT going to seriously join us for some group hugs and coffee..even if we offer to buy, and let them pick from latte vs mocha.😉

Again you prove my point. This nation has always been about power and forcing it's will on the weak. The framers were racist, sexist elitist white gentile males. Freedom and justice for all are merely words above the door.

"The short version for those of you who fail to understand the above." Ah..no "liberal" diatribe would be complete without a toxic amount of patronizing and condesencion...based upon some absurdly, self-attributed 'wisdom"...only obtainable via direct interface with like-"minded" individuals, equally ignorant of most all aspects of harsh reality, and largely untouched by the same within their own comfortable lives. "What the soldier did was wrong..." I couldn't possibly care less if you see something so utterly trival as some "big deal" ...Would you be far better pleased if he'd used the bullets on other human beings instead of that marvelous, and oh-so-precious freakin' book?.......next 🙄


Ah yes, and your little rant is utterly with out contempt and condescension? I guess the idea that the soldier actually use a practice target or something else never entered your mind? And you call me simplistic? The soldier chose to use a Koran for a reason.


"The short version for those of you who fail to understand the above."..is that you've spent far too much time sipping lattes..and far too little time honestly looking around at the world......


By honestly you mean not looking at the world your way. I'll pass, thanks.

 

[Veritas]

"The US is supposedly the land of laws." Newsflash = this didn't happen in the US, but rather within an utterly insane enviornment wherein over 4,000 Americans have had their lives brutally cut short in the performance of their Duty..and many thousands more severely wounded/crippled/etc.....next?

You are glossing over the Bush administration's justification for sacrificing over 4,000 American lives and the well being of eight to ten fold as many Americans who were wounded and maimed forever.

Didn't we go into that God forsaken place to free the Iraqis from tyranny and bring them freedom and democracy?

 

[Gilding the Lily]

Umm..where/how/from what possible portion, did you choose to imagine your own notions discovered and somehow "justified" within my posting?

I am assuming he got it from your post that said: "It's completely nuts, and the entirely insane "Politically Correct" thing's gotten so far outta' hand as to be ill-served by way of addressing with mere words. "Respect" is a two way street...and NONE/ZIP/ZERO comes forth for western culture from the Islamic regions in general."

Essentially, you are saying that we shouldn't respect them because they don't respect us. It is a "they started it" argument. You will not get far by expecting respect before you respect.

 

[Cosworth]

I am assuming he got it from your post that said: "It's completely nuts, and the entirely insane "Politically Correct" thing's gotten so far outta' hand as to be ill-served by way of addressing with mere words. "Respect" is a two way street...and NONE/ZIP/ZERO comes forth for western culture from the Islamic regions in general."

Essentially, you are saying that we shouldn't respect them because they don't respect us. It is a "they started it" argument. You will not get far by expecting respect before you respect.

Ding Ding Ding ... we have a winner.

 

[EastUS]

Essentially, you are saying that we shouldn't respect them because they don't respect us.

"Ding Ding Ding ... we have a winner." Nope...we have Pavlov's bells dinging = "I only hear what I want to hear!...La La La/Drool/etc"

"Essentially, you are saying that we shouldn't respect them because they don't respect us."

By NO means whatsoever. By noting that "respect is a two way street"; I never once suggested, nor sought to even imply that I, personally, have the least bit of any improperly misplaced "respect" for that umm..."cuture", existent within the toxic, insanity-laden-agar, of the petri dish that is the middle east. I can't see the slightest reason to have any honest respect for any 8th century "culture", bent on global domination, and the eventual murder or enslavement of billions of all of us "infidels" What's to "respect" in that?. Personally...I've long-held ZERO respect for "their" belief structure and actions.....Period. My contempt for that "culture" is based upon personal observation, as well as the established protocols contained within it. Peoples with belief structures that exult in dancing in the streets at the slaughter of helpless people in the Twin Towers, but..prove themselves to be pathetic, undisciplined, "We Surrender!!!/Please don't kill us!!" "jokes" on any actual battlefield....just don't much impress me. I have a "few problems" with Dark Ages, murderous insanity and treachery as a rule, and am also rather fond of women, and I don't agree that they should be abused/enslaved and/or killed simply for existing, wishing to drive/vote/actually live/love/etc. I have a few "problems" with brainwashing children into becoming suicidal and murderous maniacs, intent only upon killing themselves and as many surrounding innnocents as possible. The Munich Olympics massacre/Beirut barracks bombing/USS Cole/"Ceremonial" beheadings/hanging teenaged girls/Just-Too-Many/Much-to-Mention/etc...and 9-11 didn't favorably impress me either. It's "the little things" that irritate me I guess. I'm just no great fan of ANY who'd seek the utter destruction of western civilization, and the eventual enslavement of an entire world...just so as to suit their own arrogant/ignorant/perverse and fully insane.....sick little religious fantasies, about "how things should be".

Bottom line = Shooting ANYBODY'S precious book's just not on my radar as any issue to fret over. See listings under: There ARE "slightly" larger concerns......but hey..symbolic BS's always an easy beacon to rally the "innocent" around, I suppose.

Veritas: "You are glossing over the Bush administration's justification for sacrificing over 4,000 American lives and the well being of eight to ten fold as many Americans who were wounded and maimed forever. Didn't we go into that God forsaken place to free the Iraqis from tyranny and bring them freedom and democracy?" I'm glossing over nothing. If/when it ever proves that the Iraqi people actually want Freedom and democracy enough to deserve it...they'll have to start standing up en masse for it to happen..It can't be given as any gift...and..I'm NO defender of that little wimp Bush, nor his admin's BS.

PS: Lest any feel the need to jump in with yet more assumptions as to the thoughts of another; I've ZERO inherent respect for ANY/ALL organized religion anywhere, and fully believe that God/Allah/Yaweh/"I Am that I Am" doesn't much fret over any little tribal rituals and social conventions we hold on this little speck in the universe...and is, I'd presumptiously guess, perhaps not favorably concened with all our vile, BS justifications for murdering/enslaving/abusing each other on the behalf of any such BS. I haven't the actual arrogance needed to presume upon The Allmighty in any way though. Suffice it to note that those most in favor of such hostile agendas (as currently in high fashion within islam it seems)..receive my highest levels of personal contempt. "Allah demands that I kill my utterly Anti-Life and Love, and entirely INSANE self... and of course...ALL of you infidels in the process!!"..just isn't anything that ANYONE, ANYWHERE should have the slightest "respect" for. Pathologically INSANE behavior, cult killings, and ALL the attendant, murderous lunacy...just doesn't register very high up on my Spiritual Values radar.

I could not possibly care any less about who shoots whatever books...who desecrates whatever flags...or anything else that really effects nothing. I guess I'm more hung up on human beings being converted into shredded flesh and bone fragments..and yes..I put my priorities and concerns fully in favor of our people therein....period.

Ah well..enough addressing unpleasant issues. Time for a fillet and a couple of lobster tails. Have a good evening all.

 

[MMB]

The book he shot... Does anyone know who it belonged to?

 

[EastUS]

The book he shot... Does anyone know who it belonged to?

Good question. What if it was/is his own, properly and honestly purchased? There's certainly no evident suspicion of it being illegally obtained noted anywhere. Should we all now become so narrow-minded as to deny any taxpaying American the legitimate right to shoot his own book? 🙄

Ah well then...the "answer" is now perfectly clear = We MUST immediately demand that Congress establish a fully comprehensive listing of ALL non-"offensive" books everywhere that can then have the full approval of the "Politically Correct" crowd to safely shoot. The situation is currently intolerable! We simply can NOT have anyone running around and shooting the "wrong books" Cue Blazing Saddles: "Gentlemen!..This is serious!"......"Harrumph, harrumph, harrumph!".."I didn't get a Harrumph outta' that guy...you better watch your arse!"/etc.

Is there a good defense attorney in the house? Consider another scenario..perhaps this was a "pet book" much beloved and indeed cherished by it's owner: Has anyone even considered the possiblility that the book's binding's may have been severly worn, the book itself old, heat damaged and battered and aching from desert conditions, the pages painfully tattered..and that it may well have been "put down" just to end it's suffering? Don't even get started...OJay's "not guilty"..ANYTHING is "reasonable" in a courtroom 😉

Perhaps this young man, momentarilly overcome by the "Holy messages" contained within the particular book...(you know = all the ones calling upon the devout to kill pretty much everyone that doesn't totally buy the contained package)..well..perhaps his spirit "heard" and responded to the call for Jihad, and felt compelled, in a moment of spiritually profound, religious epiphany...to immediately shoot something/anything/etc...One cannot, with any proper respect for the cultural effects so well established, cavalierly dismiss the thought that he may have been momentarilly overcome with devout and spiritual passion, inspired by the book..in which case..shooting it was actually a responsive measure, properly showing reverent awe, and the fullest respect for it's spiritual message. 😉 Come on people!..We can't be so narrow-minded as to dismiss anyone's religious epiphany, much less punish anyone for their beliefs and actions, when they're overcome with religious awe! It's certain that we MUST exercise ANY/ALL of the fullest tenets of tolerance for such things...Can we now, even remotely, find it in our prejudiced hearts to abuse and punish a young man, perhaps momentarilly overwhelmed by Jihadist passion...nay..even a "Holy Warrior" in that instant, for his passionate feelings and "religious" responses? 😉 How truly, "Politically Incorrect" would that be?.....Not to mention how horribly "Intolerant" such thinking would be.....Where's all the love people!?..How can we all not embrace and respect another person's beliefs?

Ya' know folks?..No one could ever make up anything more utterly insane than that which actually goes on in this world of ours. A highly trained and expert soldier, in a very critical support position's removed from duty...over shooting a freakin' book...one must presume, leaving his slot at least briefly unfilled..and those soldiers who's lives depend upon having accurate, long distance rifle fire in support, thusly left open to attack..and all over a "holy book". Of course...those taking the most "Righteous Offence" at this dastardly act, and who's feelings we naturally must be so totally concerned with... are the exact sorts that this young man was sent over there for, under orders, and properly expected to kill at a moment's notice... But Dang It!..don't you be shootin' no books now son! Aww heck..as a society/government/etc..we're not the least bit "crazy" ..no sir 😉 Words simply fail me sometimes...........

 

[Cosworth]

Trust me, having plowed through your posts, words never fail you.

It amazes me that you have expelled so much effort in trying to justify a stupid act. Shooting the Koran was no more a mortal sin than burning the US flag. Yet burn a flag in the US among certain people in this country and baring the presence of law enforcement to protect you, I would not bet a plug nickel on you getting out with at least a few broken bone (if you were really lucky).

I do not know what the intent was of this soldier and I do not really care. The fanaticism in that part of the world in regards to anything religious is well known. I am guessing he was pissed at the whole situation and he did it as his own little act of vengeance. I am sure he had no intention of it ever getting out in the public light. I seem to recall a saying about a path and good intentions ..........? I take bck my comment about wanting him busted down to private and shipped off to Alaska. Everyone makes mistakes and if that is what it was ... remove him from theater to placate the nuts we are liberating and introducing to democracy and move on.

I don't care who's book it was, why it was done or anything else. Interpretation is reality. The US is the nation trying to get the Iraq's to work with them and to build their nation. Pissing them off (whether you think it is justified or not does not matter in the least) does not advance that goal. All it does is delay it that much longer. Here we are a nation that preaches tolerance among other things. Yet we have a soldier shooting holes in what they consider their most holy document. How exactly does that show tolerance or further the goals of the US?

Personally I cannot stand religion. I am agnostic and have no use for the bible, torah, koran or any other such fairy tale. That being said, I do try and respect those who do believe and I try and respect the the symbols that are important to them. If I walk into a church or temple, I respect the beliefs that are the foundation and I will do nothing intentional to desecrate the building or place that I am in.

What valid reason could he have had to shoot the koran? Name one. He could have used any number of other targets to practice with. BTW, are we under the assumption that a sniper with the US military is not provided a target range on which to practice? If that is the case, the DOD should be castrated for yet another instance of not supplying the troops with adequate facilities. Given that KBR cannot even supply our troops with clean drinking water and minimum accommodation's I would not be surprised if this were another screw up by Uncle Sam.

Your lack of common decency is disappointing. I don't care if they started it. As I stated earlier, you are not 5 yrs old so don't don't act like it.

 

[Seatacus]

If you happen to come upon Osama Bin Laden while he was reading the Koran would you hold your fire until he put it down. What about all of those buildings that we have blown up? Do you suppose there was a Koran lying around somewhere in the middle of the firestorm? Where is the outrage about that?

 

[EastUS]

Trust me, having plowed through your posts, words never fail you.

It amazes me that you have expelled so much effort in trying to justify a stupid act. Shooting the Koran was no more a mortal sin than burning the US flag. Yet burn a flag in the US among certain people in this country and baring the presence of law enforcement to protect you, I would not bet a plug nickel on you getting out with at least a few broken bone (if you were really lucky).

I see clearly now. Shooting the Koran = Burning the American Flag...Okey-dokey then..Ummm..and we should have equal concern for either? :blink: Personally?..I couldn't care less if people do either and/or both. Should I see anyone burning the Colors (assuming they're not being worn on anyone's uniform or vehicle at the time)...I merely consider them as an utter idiot, and thusly, not at all worthy of either attention or the least real concern. Shouldn't the "Holy" Islamics be fully expected to show an equal, or even higher level of tolerence?...Their being clearly more "advanced" in any "spiritual" sense?..Especially given the utterly BS fantasy that "Islam is the Religion of Peace"!!??...yadda/yadda/etc. I do NOT believe in assaulting, actual, living human beings over ANY symbolic BS...EVER...PERIOD.

"Your lack of common decency is disappointing". Think as you will. Imho: Your "lack of common sense" is appalling."I don't care if they started it." Ummm...for the purposes of rational argument..especially when 'taking sides"...perhaps you should give more considered thought to the origins of hatred and hostility....in ANY dispute.

"As I stated earlier, you are not 5 yrs old so don't don't act like it." Sigh... I didn't wish to get very personal with this but: Given that you evidently assume any domestic flag burning's properly fertile grounds for mob action and bone-smashing....ummm....YOU might wish to re-think the "Five year old" BS...as regards your own personal perspectives. At the VERY least..you should forward your notons as to not behaving like 5 year olds to those who's "Holy Book" has, as usual and ever it seems..."caused" them to raise their now-standard/never-ending/pizzy-whiney-little-beyotch-level of such a ridiculous fuss...as is hardly suitable for the "spirtually advanced"..but certainly suitable for spoiled little 5 year olds.

 

[Cosworth]

If you happen to come upon Osama Bin Laden while he was reading the Koran would you hold your fire until he put it down. What about all of those buildings that we have blown up? Do you suppose there was a Koran lying around somewhere in the middle of the firestorm? Where is the outrage about that?

Did you just need to see your name in print and that was the best you could come up with? If you are unable to see the difference in intent there is nothing I can say to help you.