That has been SOP for the U.S. military and the mercenaries in Iraq.
U.S. soldier uses Quran for target practice; military apologizes
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A soldier used the Quran -- Islam's holy book -- for target practice, forcing the chief U.S. commander in Baghdad to issue a formal apology on Saturday.
Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad, apologized to leaders in Radwaniyah, in the western outskirts of Baghdad, for the staff sergeant who was a sniper section leader assigned to the headquarters of the 64th Armored Regiment. He also read a letter of apology by the shooter.
A tribal leader said "the criminal act by U.S. forces" took place at a shooting range at the Radwaniyah police station. After the shooters left, an Iraqi policeman found a target marked in the middle of the bullet-riddled Quran.
Copies of the pictures of the Quran obtained by CNN show multiple bullet holes and an expletive scrawled on one of its pages.
A military investigation found the shooter guilty and relieved him of duty; he will be redeployed to the United States for reassignment away from the 1st Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division, a U.S. official said.
"The actions of one soldier were nothing more than criminal behavior," Hammond said. "I've come to this land to protect you, to support you -- not to harm you -- and the behavior of this soldier was nothing short of wrong and unacceptable."
Saturday, May 17, 2008
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12 comments:
When are the sons of dogs going to apologize to the USA for beheading our soldiers and desecrating their bodies?
When they leave Iraq a country that has been through enough misery as it is. We should be doing the apologizing.
So Criag, you think what happened is right? Iraqis don't like US occupation and to top it all, something like this happens. The US is NOT apologizing to Al queda, the Koran is not their book. It is a religious book of the Muslims, and we should have the balls to own up to what we did wrong. Such incidents infuriate the common man in Iraq and whatever little supporters we have there! try putting yourself into their shoes
who cares.....screw the a-rabs and their terrorism....and the major general said it all...the soldier did a criminal act....and what did the major general do...he shipped him home, and redeployed him...it is thankful for us the military does not really punish our boys for their criminal acts,--like kill a few a-rabs and get a few years, not the death penalty or anything serious like here....then they should not, we need to get away with that as how else can we bring peace to Iraq? and what's a few criminal acts by our boys there, we are having our military give peace at the point of a rifle!!!!!
now, knowing this, we need to criminalize all the mooselems....and give our boys over there lots of koran bacon wraps for target practice. that boy should get the medal of honor for shooting that book, it avoids one less evil book out there to the true terrorist group...the mooselems
Hmmmm All of these people were silent when the terrorist were beheading US POW's. I think the only stupid thing done here was leaving the piece of trash to be found.
I can truly understand what it is you are saying, but the reality is the apology needed to be made. As an American FIRST!, and Muslim also, I feel that I cannot accept this behavior on the part of one of my fellow defenders of freedom! I have honorably and faithfully served this country for 11 years without hesitation, yet at every opportunity it continues to show me contempt for my religious beliefs. I recently served 2 consecutive tours as a Platoon Leader and Leading Petty Officer/Subject Matter Expert in Joint Detention Group Guantanamo and you would not believe the statements made by some of our Troopers and Sailors. How can we respect your beliefs and religious choice if you are not willing to bestow the same upon us. I was often called the Ultimate Infidel by detainees because a Shipmate of mine breached OPSEC and made it known to the detainees that I was Muslim. I continued to serve Honorably without flaw, to include the carrying out of the Commander's orders which resulted in the Mass Disturbance of May 2006. How dare our brave men and women assume they have the market cornered on religion and that one is better than the other. I seem to think back and take note of the fact that yes, Bin Laden claims to be Muslim, Al-Zawahiri claims to be muslim, but at the same time David Koresh claimed to be Christian, Warren Jeffs claimed to be Christian, Tim McVey claimed to be Christian. The Christian world didn't fall under attack for the wrongdoing and terrorism of these few, so why is it my religion is constantly bombarded and attacked for the wrong of a few. The Holy Quran says, "Let there be No compulsion in Religion", it also says in Surah 2(chapter 2), "We have no problem with the Jew, We have no problem with the Christian, We have no problem with anyone who is Righteous!" Ignorance breeds the conflict and fuels the fire that has continued to keep us living in this world in disharmony. All I ask is that we respect each others beliefs and religions and show the same respect for the Holy Quran as I show for the Holy Bible. Before I touch anyone's Bible, I ensure that my hands are cleansed and my mind is focused just as I would when handling my own Holy Quran. Finally before I send this to you I would like to bless you with the Arabic greeting....."As-Salaam Alaikim", which means "Peace be unto You", My Brother. A phrase which has a very strong meaning, yet our young men and women mock it every chance they get.
Very Respectfully,
TJ
Craig writes "When are the sons of dogs going to apologize to the USA for beheading our soldiers and desecrating their bodies?
I don't know but that doesn't justify our actions, does it?
All of these people were silent when the terrorist were beheading US POW's.
To my knowledge, they have never beheaded U.S. POWs.
TJ -
That's a good post, thank you!
Steve J.
Yes, when did the beheading of our soldiers happen? A few were shot after being captured, which is bad enough, but obviously beheading provokes a more emotional response.
I don't care for many of the people in the middle east, and I don't agree w/post apology calls by some Iraqis for more severe punishment. However, this whining about how the double standards are so unfair to us needs to stop. This is the reality of the situation, folks!
More logic, and less emotion, please. Respectfully, Brian
The problem with the whole situation is that as Americans we hold the value that we can say what we want.
For example, we allow people to come to America and burn our flag in protest. The fact that they can get away with it is exactly the rights that we stand behind and allow people to voice themselves.
We as a people allow the voice of freedom to be part of what makes us a free nation in the first place.
We allow anyone to be a part of any religion they want to be.
However, here is where we differ... We do not say that one religion is better than another.
In America, you can shoot a bible for your own beliefs or voice of freedom.
It really is just a clash of cultures. We are trying to "free" them... yet they do not want people to be "free" to do as they wish in such ways. (as in voicing an opinion against another persons views, AND allowing them to voice back at yours...)
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