Sunday School

Here is an article at CNN outlining the latest Military fuck up in Iraq. Sorry, but it calls for strong language because it is exactly this kind of behavior that feeds the rage against America all over the world. It is completely unconscionable and were the situation reversed there is no way America would stand for it. What if an Iraqi army occupied us here in the States and then one of the soldiers shot up a bible as target practice. How do you think that would go over?

It seems that an American soldier in Iraq used a Quran for target practice. The book was found 2 days later with a target on it, and riddled with bullet holes.

From the article,

Sheikh Hamadi al-Qirtani, in a speech on behalf of all tribal sheiks of Radhwaniya, called the incident "aggression against the entire Islamic world."

Great.

Here's a photo of Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond apologizing for the incident.

Look at his expression. He's pretty grim. Look at the Iraqis around him. Look at their faces. I don't think they're going to take this in stride.

The idea that it's just the terrible mistake of one soldier just doesn't wash and it doesn't matter any more. After Abu Ghraib? After innocent people getting shot up at check points? After the U.S. being there for 5 years with no end in sight? It's just a piling on of injustices that happens day after day after day.

Again from the article,

The Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq also condemned the shooter's actions and the U.S. military's belated acknowledgment of the incident.

"As the Association of Muslim Scholars condemns this heinous crime against God's holy book, the Constitution of this nation, a source of pride and dignity," the groups statement said, "they condemned the silence by all those who are part of the occupation's agenda and holds the occupation and the current government fully responsible for this violation and reminds everyone that God preserves his book and he [God] is a great avenger."

On this Sunday when lots of Christians are going to church and others of other faiths are enjoying the weekend with their families, maybe it would be good to reflect on the world and how we make our way through it. I don't know how I can possibly counter the actions of that idiot soldier in Iraq, but I can make sure I vote for people who will get us the hell out of there. I can make sure I teach my children that there are all sorts of ways to believe about the world and the universe and God, or Goddess, or Gods and Goddesses or Nature and that to all live together we better try to make it safe for everyone to have their beliefs, as they see them.