The Colonel's act of kissing the Koran was an act of submission.
Marko Kloos
Have you bothered to research what the gesture of kissing a Koran means in their culture?
In that regard How can you judge me in that manner based on what I wrote in this thread? You don't know me.Marko Kloos
(Of course you haven't, because you don't care one way or the other.)
To you.
You're making a mistake that's unfortunately very common in the way we've been handling Iraq, and one of the reasons why we can't get a handle on the place: you're applying your own cultural bias to a foreign culture, and assume it's universal all over the globe. These people don't think like you or I do. They come from a totally different cultural background, and if we want to win them as allies (and successfully defeat the bad guys among them), then we need to understand them. That's not a sign of weakness, just the smart thing to do.
Have you bothered to research what the gesture of kissing a Koran means in their culture? (Of course you haven't, because you don't care one way or the other.)
To you.
You're making a mistake that's unfortunately very common in the way we've been handling Iraq, and one of the reasons why we can't get a handle on the place: you're applying your own cultural bias to a foreign culture, and assume it's universal all over the globe. These people don't think like you or I do. They come from a totally different cultural background, and if we want to win them as allies (and successfully defeat the bad guys among them), then we need to understand them. That's not a sign of weakness, just the smart thing to do.
Have you bothered to research what the gesture of kissing a Koran means in their culture? (Of course you haven't, because you don't care one way or the other.)
In that regard How can you judge me in that manner based on what I wrote in this thread? You don't know me.
I'm very surprised that a moderator would get so personal like you have here. Getting personal with me as you have done does not set a good example for the rest of the users of this forum.
I'm not concerned with what the gesture means to the muslims.
And you think if the Colonel hadn't kissed the Koran, the same group would have been silent, and not called for more punishment? OK.This issue of the Colonel in Iraq kissing the Koran is very important. I say this because a new story has come out where an Iraqi Islamic Party is now demanding more punishment for this soldier.
That was my contention about this issue. Our Colonel kissing the Koran was an embarrassment. It showed weakness. It solved nothing, but rather, probably emboldened our enemies to try to get further political concessions from us in regard to this soldier.
I am more concerned about the soldiers that are being forced to submit in such a way as kissing a holy book in which it states that they, themselves.. the kissers of the book, are infidels.
IBTF - might it been seen as real than rather than surface weakness to go to the country that supplied most of the 9/11 terrorists and funds religious schools that teach hatred and ask them to please produce more oil?
Or have your vice president go sailing on the yacht of a similar country?
Perhaps, if some president had launched a Manhattan like project to get us of foreign energy supplies, that would have been seen as strength?
But that would disrupt the private interest profit stream of said administration. Never underestimate the profit motive over producting the country.
This thread is just an opportunity for low level chest pounding over a stupid act.
In my opinion we need to cease nation building be the best country in the world with a super strong military
Did that show weakness?
How about Obama saying that if necessary we should go after Osama in Pakistan and the Bushies getting all hissy about offending our 'allies'?
On a roll here! Omission Accomplished!