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Thread: U.S. soldier uses Quran for target practice; military apologizes

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    Default 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 Radhwaniya, 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.

    It was the first time the incident -- which tested the relationship between U.S.-backed Sunni militiamen and the military -- was made public since it was discovered May 11.

    "I come before you here seeking your forgiveness," Hammond said to tribal leaders and others at the apology ceremony. "In the most humble manner I look in your eyes today and I say please forgive me and my soldiers." Watch villagers protest the Quran incident »

    Another military official kissed a Quran and presented is as "a humble gift" to the tribal leaders.

    The soldier, whose name was not released, shot at a Quran on May 9, villagers said. The Quran used in the incident was discovered two days later, according to the military.

    Hammond also read from the shooter's letter: "I sincerely hope that my actions have not diminished the partnership that our two nations have developed together. ... My actions were shortsighted, very reckless and irresponsible, but in my heart [the actions] were not malicious."

    A tribal leader said "the criminal act by U.S. forces" took place at a shooting range at the Radhwaniya 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."

    Officials said the soldier claimed he wasn't aware the book was the Quran. U.S. officials rejected the claim.

    Tribal leaders, dignitaries and local security officials attended the ceremony, while residents carried banners and chanted slogans, including "Yes, yes to the Quran" and "America out, out."

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

    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."

    http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/...ran/index.html

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    That is going to go over well.

    Im sure they wont be offended if we just tell them they have no right to be offended, huh people on the right?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Desh View Post
    That is going to go over well.

    Im sure they wont be offended if we just tell them they have no right to be offended, huh people on the right?

    I'll try to care tomorrow.

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    Who would have thought that shooting at a koran whilst in an Islamic country would have caused so much fuss?

    Oh, that's right...everyone.

    I regard it as just a bunch of paper with gibberish and folk tales written on it. However, some people don't. And if you're in a country where they don't and you choose to fill it full of lead then you can't be surprised that you're helping the locals to think the worst of every American soldier they come across.

    You right-wing types seem to go off the deep end if anyone so much as looks at the US flag the wrong way, so you can probably empathise with the crazy overreaction to this business, can't you?

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    Default While the act............

    Quote Originally Posted by Desh View Post
    Only your beliefs deserve respect right?

    was in bad taste..it was not a criminal act if the Koran belonged to the soldier...why all the false outrage from desh and charver who bash religion religiously on this board...go figure!

    and by the way dollars to donuts desh and charver would not complain if it were the Holy Bible!
    They would say it was freedom of speech!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Battleborne View Post
    was in bad taste..it was not a criminal act if the Koran belonged to the soldier...why all the false outrage from desh and charver who bash religion religiously on this board...go figure!

    and by the way dollars to donuts desh and charver would not complain if it were the Holy Bible!
    They would say it was freedom of speech!
    I did point out that i don't care about the Koran, the Bible, whatever. If you want to deface a book then do it.

    Just be advised that if you do it in someone else's country then the locals may kick up a bit of a fuss and want to shoot you and your friends.

    For me it's just a matter of common sense.

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    Default LOL.............

    Quote Originally Posted by charver View Post
    I did point out that i don't care about the Koran, the Bible, whatever. If you want to deface a book then do it.

    Just be advised that if you do it in someone else's country then the locals may kick up a bit of a fuss and want to shoot you and your friends.

    For me it's just a matter of common sense.

    Just checking on your sincerity.............although desh is dead serious!

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    What would be the reaction if an official representative of an Ismamic nation urinated on the bible In the USA ?

    Right wingers can only see one view, theirs.

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    Quote Originally Posted by uscitizen View Post
    What would be the reaction if an official representative of an Ismamic nation urinated on the bible In the USA ?

    Right wingers can only see one view, theirs.

    You are such a hack us cit...outrage for sure but they would not be charged with a crime...big difference!

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    Whne in another country you ned to observe their customs and laws.

    does the phrase "Ugly American" ring a bell ?

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    Default Yup...!

    Quote Originally Posted by uscitizen View Post
    Whne in another country you ned to observe their customs and laws.

    does the phrase "Ugly American" ring a bell ?

    YOU!

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    Not me, you saw my picture. I pretty guy.

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    Default About as pretty.............

    Quote Originally Posted by uscitizen View Post
    Not me, you saw my picture. I pretty guy.
    as cypress,and soco for sure...need I say more?

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    Now don't get all jealous on me BB.

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