Greetings again from [Iraqi location]. I am a daily reader and just wanted to share an experience I had yesterday at a weekly meeting given by the [military] staff to the [military officers].I arrived in typical fashion, early to get a seat and grab a beverage prior to the rush. When I approached the small fridge to grab a soda, I was told by another staff officer “sorry, no drinks, it’s Ramadan”. Incredulously, I replied, what!!!?. Turns out, we had 2 visiting Iraq Generals briefing a future operation, and in an effort to be culturally sensitive, the order was put out there would be no drinking in the presence of the Iraqis.
Greatly displeased, I drove on and found my seat. This Major was on a mission, there would be no drinking as I watched her chastise numerous officers. She then came to a man of Middle Eastern appearance in civilian dress who took up a seat behind the yet to arrive Iraqi Generals. He pulled out a cranberry juice from his pocket, and was quickly told he would not be aloud to drink anything during the meeting. He was clearly agitated, but put the juice away. It apparently slipped by the dutiful Major that the man she was correcting was an Iraqi translator who was Muslim! He was the Iraqi Generals personal translator. – from this letter from a military man in Iraq
No hearts or minds will be won in such fashion. Only the sight of American Infidels calmly and unapologetically being Infidels, and not observing Ramadan -- why should they? -- will make any kind of useful impression. As for the Major, she clearly is only doing what she thinks she has been taught to do, what she must do. She's apparently too obedient (if following to the letter some damn guideline), or if not obedient, then too uncomprehending of Muslim psychology and of the need for Infidels NOT to do what she is forcing them to do to be of much good in the future. May she not rise beyond her current rank -- not unless she begins to understand that signs of accommodation are not always and everywhere repaid in kind, but taken rather as signs of weakness to be exploited.
As for the translator with his cranberry juice, who apparently has no intention of observing Ramadan to the letter -- if at all -- he must have been astonished at the Major's idiotic behavior.
How can Iraqis, Iraqi generals or captains or privates, be expected to endure the sight of a female major giving orders to males who are junior to her? This offense is rank -- or rather, her rank is the offense.
She should, for the good of the cause, resign her commission and leave the army for good, or at least all female officers in Iraq should be asked if they think it would be a good idea to avoid offending the sensibilities of Muslim officers and men by having those female American officers take orders, just when the Iraqis are around, from male officers and men who normally would be given orders by her?
Wouldn't that just as important as stopping someone from opening a bottle of cranberry juice?
Larry Gelbart must be itching to get back to his typewriter right now. There will be MASH set in Iraq. And perhaps the female figure of fun, no longer Hot Lips, can be based on this plus-islamiste-que-les-islamiste major. So jot down your observations and save them for future use. The old song: There'll come a time/when she'll regret it/There'll come a time/Don't you forget it." You can hum the rest.
In fact, I'll be making a pitch for a series based on the folly of Iraq later this week. Yes, I see Johnny Depp as a devil-may-care Marine who refuses to obey any of the rules, Sasha Cohen as the local interpreter who gets everyone in hot water because he doesn't really know English (and it may turn out that he doesn't really know Arabic either). Ben Kingsley can play the one solid and trustworthy Iraqi figure, elderly now, who is constantly trying to signal the Americans that the real problem is Islam and until they understand that, they will achieve nothing for themselves. James Garofalo can be a hard-driving but there's-not-mine-to-reason-why general, and playing the part of the female major -- oh, I don't know -- any suggestions?
The tentative title I have been using for this pitchable series possibly won't cut the mustard. Just imagine Jay Leno in his monologue, describing the NBC Thursday-night lineup:
"First there's "My Name is Earl." Then there's "The Office." And now there's going to be 'Der Untergang des Abendlandes.' Hey, what's up with that?"
[Camera vorkapitches to humorful face of Kevin Eubanks and then assorted members of the "Tonight Show Orchestra"]
Yes. The title needs work.
Our service people should NEVER be forced to observe anything islamic. This woman needs someone to 'splain things to her. She needs to take a course on islam and ole mo.
An irony about this story that escaped me at first was that the letter was published on or just after Yom Kippur. It got me thinking: Jews are in the army; is the mess hall closed on Yom Kippur? How about Good Friday? Actually, unless Catholic and Orthodox Easters are the same in a given year, both Good Fridays should be observed if the rule is you don't eat in front of someone who is fasting.
Or is the rule of thumb, "You don't upset the religion of perpetual outrage?"
ONE word:
PATHETIC!!!
no,,make tha 2 words:
DISAPPOINTED
OK,,3 words:
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
AnneCrockett
Funny you should mention Yom Kippor. It made no MSM here in OZ, yet we are supposed to bow and scrape to these creeps.
The US military has it wrong!!
I have friends who are holocaust survivors and guess what???
You can't keep kosher in Aushwitz!!
(This is deeper than you think!)
Race clashes hit Windsor
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=408689&in_page_id=1770
Tensions: Dozens of officers have been stopping and searching white gangs who have clashed with Asians in Windsor after the Medina Dairy was fire bombed
HeadlinesViolent race clashes hit the streets of Windsor
Extra police are being drafted into the Windsor area today after three nights of violent clashes between white and Asian youths.
Gangs have fought battles in the streets using baseball bats and pitchforks. A Muslim-run dairy which wants to build a mosque was petrol bombed.
Dozens of officers have been deployed to stop and search youths and mounted police are being brought in.
The Queen usually spends weekends at Windsor Castle and no decision has yet been taken over whether she would change her plans. A senior source said: "We are aware of what is happening and all appropriate security measures are in place."
Tensions have been growing between residents and the owners of the dairy, who have applied to convert an office building into a mosque for their workers.
Despite a lack of planning permission to use Technor House as a place of worship, workers and visitors have been praying there.
Violence flared for the first time on Monday outside the building in Vale Road in the Dedworth area of Windsor.
There was an altercation between a teenage boy and dairy staff during prayers. It escalated and the windows of several vehicles were smashed.
Amid claims that the boy, his mother and teenage sister were assaulted, up to 50 young people clashed on Tuesday night.
Windows of the makeshift mosque and dairy vehicles were smashed. Residents said gangs of Asian youths travelled from Slough to fight the white gang. One youth was reportedly arrested for carrying a 12-inch knife.
Dairy manager Sikander Khan, 50, said the 50 predominantly Asian workers at the dairy were now worried about their safety.
The firebomb attack took place on Wednesday night. Mr Khan said: "The youths threw a petrol bomb at us.
"The flames damaged the front of the building, but we were able to put it out with a fire extinguisher. Workers are fearful now because we are under attack."
Nearby, one hooded youth claimed the problems had started after the previous owners, Express Dairies, left.
The 17-year-old said: "I've been here all my life and there were no problems with the old owners, they used to give us milk and stuff.
"We have had a couple of fights with this lot before, but now they're taking it seriously. We want them out of Dedworth."
Police stopped cars full of white youths and searched them as other officers photographed and videoed them. Several youths hurled racist abuse at the dairy from their cars as police looked on.
A woman living nearby, who did not want to be named, said the trouble started on Monday.
The following night numbers on both sides had swelled and there was largescale brawling.
"On Monday three young lads, about 15 or so, were in Shirley Avenue when the men came out of prayers and attacked them with pitchforks, baseball bats and iron bars," she said. "Whether they were provoked or not I don't know.
"I'm worried that if they allow the mosque things will get worse."
Other residents said that late-night noise from the dairy was driving them out of their homes and they feared a mosque would make things worse.
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "We are investigating incidents of disorder and criminal damage on Monday and Tuesday nights.
"These have involved groups of predominantly white and Asian teenagers. As a result of the disorder one business and at least five vehicles have been damaged."
He added: "We will monitor the situation and are working with the community, the business and the local authority to prevent further disorder."
A 16-year-old boy arrested on Tuesday night was charged with possessing an offensive weapon. There were two other arrests, including one for common assault, and 22 people have been searched by police. Three youths are in custody today after the petrol bomb attack.
The unrest came the day after David Cameron waded into the debate over multiculturalism, saying there could be no place for communities living "parallel lives" in Britain.
Earlier this week the Queen gave permission to convert a room at Windsor castle into a prayer room.
The room in the Saxon Tower allows Nagina Chaudhry, who works in the castle gift shops, to carry out the halfhour lunchtime prayer which is required of all Muslims during Ramadan.
Does this mean this "civil war" has started Churchill?
What do you think?
Gramfan
Read the comments and tell me what you think>>>
now hope that this government can see what is happening on the streets.
- John, Clacton, England
50 predominately Islamic workers - why? Doesn't sound very multi-cultural. A church wouldn't be allowed without planning permission. Its hard enough to get PP for a porch today.
- B. Curtis, Guilford, England
The way things are going in the country I'm surprised this isnt happening all over the country.
- Steve P, Leeds England
As somebody else said it, it's time religious beliefs was abolished, best kept in their own 4 walls. Windsor clashes brought to mind what used to happend between the RC and C of E. Dangerous and crazy time!
- Sabina Newson, Dorking, Surrey England
I am not surprised by this.
- Graham, Surrey UK
Err, where exactly did these youths get a pitchfork from in the 21st century?
- Peter Broad, Zurich, CH
There have also been clashes in Preston.
- Michael Clarke, london
I would just like to comment on the Queen. I think she has let the country down and has bowed to pressure from the so called communities.
- Gavin Jackson, Barnsley England
It is very sad that anyone should look for an opportunity/excuse to be violent.
- Thomas Hibbert, winchester Hants. Uk
Yet another symptom of the Great Incompetent, Blair, erupting on the strets of the most unlikely of British towns. He egotistically craved a legacy. Unfortunately, he, his rabble and their total incompetence may have left Britain with a very unfortunate legacy.
- Terence, Hereford, UK
Steve in Leeds, it is happening and it is unreported.
- Maggs, Birmingham
Will be interesting to see how the politically correct establishment handles this one?
- Dave, Lancs, UK
The situation will escalate countrywide, when there are different sets of rules for minorities. We should all be governed by one law with no exceptions.
- Paul Kennedy, Sunderland, England
A sign of things to come!
- Kate, Newcastle
Maggs in Birmingham and Steve in Leeds you are both so right it is happening every day all over the country but as you point out not reported. Things can only get worse...
- Glenis, Bury, UK
This has to be stopped. The country is going to the dogs.
- Michael J Rigby, Chorley, Lancashire
Gavin, the Queen has never let her country down. On the country she has done her duty by it though thick and thin and in spite of ridicule and criticism.
If she approves a muslim prayer space in Windsor Castle, it is evidence of her graciousness and nobility. That's all.
- Geoffrey King, Amsterdam, Holland
Maggs from Birmingham is correct, most of the media are scared of reporting how much this happens and who's responsible (that wouldn't be PC).
- John, Salford
LOOKS LIKE A LOW LEVEL CIVIL WAR FOR NOW !!
WAIT UNTIL THE MUSLIM POPULATION INCREASES MORE
Also a friend of a friend was stabbed in the throat this weekend in Northampton. Attackers cried Allah Akbar
Two other throat stabbings happened on the same night. One person died.
Britain is starting to feel the muslim blade.
“sorry, no drinks, it’s Ramadan”.
I wonder are there some other restrictions from the dhimmi manual for american marines in iraq, like:
Khameini: Don't masturbate during Ramadan
from website:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3311189,00.html
The sad and depressing part about all of this is that I don't believe 9/11 really woke us from our slumber. In fact it rather seems as if western society has been given large doses of the date rape drug so that the muslim hoards may get on with their business.
Why are we in this coma and what will it take to get us out of it?
After Pearl Harbor, how many Americans came to the realization that they were in grave danger and did something about it? Many signed up for the military the very next day an I think that the country as a whole sacrificed whatever they could for the war effort. I'm trying not to look at that with rose colored glasses, but I think that that was the general atmosphere of the time. Each person (for the most part) took it upon themselves to do whatever they could to maintain their culture, their heritage, their identity, their values, their beliefs and their country.
People could make a distinction between right and wrong and fight for their cause. It was a privilege and honor to define and fight for righteousness and freedom.
What do we do today? How many peoples' lives and routines have actually changed because of 9/11? My guess is not many. What is the answer? Do we have an entitlement mentality as a society? Do we expect the government to handle all of our problems. Why won't we unabashedly defend that which has been entrusted to us though the bloodshed and sacrifice of previous generations.
It's time to stop being politically correct and call a spade a spade.
My fear is that it may take an event far worse than 9/11 to bring us together as a society that will defend itself and its beliefs.
Robert, Hugh, and Jihadwatchers,
I'm going to attend a lecture to be given next week by a woman named Benazir Bhutto, aparently the former Prime Minister of Pakistan.
I wholly intend to use my time there wisely.
I am well armed, having been a regular visitor to this site, a daily visitor, for over a year and a half. I have catalogued most of the postings from Jihadwatch and Dhimmiwatch over the last year, and have plenty of information at hand about Pakistan. And since this event is being held by an all-girls boarding school, in order to expose the student body to female leaders of the world, it presents me a unique opportunity to educate and dispel some myths, or some outright lies and taquiya Ms. Bhutto may engage in. I'm sure Muhammed's demand for four witnesses to prove a rape will raise plenty of eyebrows in this crowd.
But, I'd like to find out more about this woman in particular, for if I am presented the opportunity, I will most definitely take the opportunity to, as Hugh so often urges us to do, put her, and Islam, on the defensive.
Information and suggestions are welcome.
The poster above takes "Truth and Toil" as her guide in understanding Islam. That happens to be the motto of The Brearley School, with its heraldic shield of, on the left, an open book (representing Truth) and on the right, three beavers (representing Toil); there is something else on top but it's been a long time, and I forget.
It would be fitting if Brearley were the school and then, in cross-questioning Pinky Bhutto, you could invoke the school motto as your own. You took the trouble to toil, in order to find out a bit more of the truth -- which is what enables you to withstand the smiling or frowning of taqiyya-and-tu-quoque blandishments. But since Brearley doesn't take boarders, that can't be the school. Keep in mind whatever motto your school does have, and if it is apt -- something with Veritas or Lux would do nicely -- make use of it in your earnest, respectful, but deadly line of questioning. Make sure you refer to Qur'an, hadith, and Sira. Make sure you let the girls hear you mentioning the 60-70 million Hindu dead, the attacks on Buddhists in Thailand, the mass murders in Sudan -- that is, everything that has nothing to do with the supposed "clash" carefully limited to the West. Don't let Pinky Bhutto, in her self-assured and plummy voice, get away with any soothing presentation that avoids the tenets, and the attitudes, of Islam -- keep asking her how she proposes to deal with them, to deal with the Muslim view of the universe, in which Believer and Infidel are kept strictly apart, with the former necessarilyShe no doubt plans to talk about Musharraf and his high-handed ways and how Pakistan needs "real democracy" (offered by guess who?). She's the daughter of one of the rich members of the ruling class (zamindars and generals), one more American or English-educated anglophone spoiled child who manipulate the local masses but who, far from having learned much while abroad, continue to defend and promote Islam and the views of Islam. She's not a "reformer" (whatever that might mean), she's not someone likely to be happy with mention, say, of such former Pakistanis or descendants of Pakistanis as Ibn Warraq or Irfan Khawaja -- but you are not really speaking to her, trying to convince her. Your real audience are those impressionable students and fellow teachers.
Be careful to be all sweetness-and-light. Don't antagonize the Headmistress, who no doubt is beaming in the reflected glory of having a world figure, a female big shot, come to the school. A feather in some cap or possibly mobcap. But quietly raise the matter of the political problem of despotism, and where Islam locates political legitimacy (in the expresed will not of mere mortals but of Allah), and economic development (inshallah-fatalism that condemns Muslim societies to poverty unless Western foreign aid, or the manna from Allah derived from an accident of geology, supply revenues), and the social failures (mistreatment of women -- and here print out and bring with you relevant Qur'anic passages and Hadith stories -- go to www.faithfreedom.org or www.answering-islam.org to find them -- about the inferiority of women) and intellectual ones (discouragement of free and skeptical inquiry; severe limits -- no sculpture, no painting of living creatures, little music) on art. That will appeal to the members of the School Assembly --- that will get their attention.
Prepare for this as if for a military campaign. That is exactly what it is.
Don't let Pinky Bhutto get away with it. Truth and Toil. Truth Through Toil. Those beavers. That book.
Trying to win black hearts and empty minds is futile.
Just like Hugh wrote above,
Prepare for this as if for a military campaign. That is exactly what it is.
There is no political solution.
Is this a case of sensitivity training in the military? If so, where did they get their guidelines from-CAIR? I thought the military's primary job was to inflict maximum casualties on the enemy, not to bend over backwards in an effort to not offend people.
Patton and Mac Arthur must be spinning in their graves. Good thing they're dead because they probably would have committed ritual suicide at this embarrassment.
James Garofalo can be a hard-driving but there's-not-mine-to-reason-why general, and playing the part of the female major -- oh, I don't know -- any suggestions?
How about Janeane Garofalo?
Right. Not James Garofalo, but James Gandolfini, it is. Or possibly Fra Pandolf, whose hands worked busily a day. As for Janeane Garofalo, whose first name should really make up its mind at least for orthographic purpooses, I am not convinced that she is officer material. But should a loyal fan of J. G. on Federal Hill decide over a lunch of linguine in clam sauce to make me an offer I can't refuse, I'll promptly put her on the show.
From the pit of my stomach to the bottom of the porcelain bowl, words can not describe the idiocy of such a policy.
Hugh,
I think you meant Sacha Cohen the comedian who plays Borat, not Sasha Cohen the figure skater.
Yes. One is a deliberately comical miscomprehending klutz, the other practices to polish her triple lutz.
vashine,
Hugh has the right idea kill them with kindness and ask the questions as non-threatening as possible. The idea is to make the audience curious and to cause them to wonder if your questions had any merit (Bhutto already knows the answer). Try and anticipate second and third order effects. Yours should include causing the audience to educate themselves after this event. Work one of your early questions into an educational one. “I read a book by a Dr Robert Spencer, in it…” Mention both Roberts name and if possible reference this website (remember members of the press will be in attendance). Expect to be asked to leave (always plan for the worst case) and if possible get a like minded individual to sit away from you. If you are asked to leave hopefully, the second person can once again ask hard questions. Because I am the paranoid type do not drive your own automobile. Instead arrange for someone to park nearby and be ready to pick you up. Good luck.
vashine
I have seen a 2 hours TV interview with miss bhutto some months ago
She's has been studying in london therefore she has nothing to do with the normal life that women live in pakistan for sure.
She portrayed herself as a modern islamic woman but nothing has been done to improve the situation of women in pakistan. Now of course she blames who came after her.
She said that she's been expelled from her job because of a false accusation of corruption and of course says that her father has been murdered bla bla.
However I read on wikipedia, that her conduct was not spotless, and somehow she helped the raise of taliban.
read here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benazir_Bhutto
My interview conducted by a leftist television of course didn't touch any aspect of islam and koran etc, because they only wanted to know things to put americans in bad light.
It is difficult to imagine that the major simply made up the 'ramadan' rule of her own accord.
Merely following instructions,directives,regulations, etc., no doubt.
Not quite the same as the post WWII Nazi excuses, but not lethal, either. Just stupid.
Remember, our non-Muslim military personnel are prohibited from handling Muslim detainees' copies of the Qur'an at Camp Delta (and only at Camp Delta).
That bit of nonsense came down from the top.
Same as the 'ramadan' rule, I suspect.
Hugh
This is a bit off topic. I am just curious as to what your views on Tashib Sayyed? I posted something similar to my question last week, but you may not have seen it, or chose not to respond.
I assume that because he is on the Board, you do support him. If this is the case, I have been plain wrong in my criticism of you.
Yours sincerely
Thomas
I was asked if I had any objection to Tashbih Sayyed joining the board. I didn't. I am, however, not familiar with everything he has written. I have assumed that he considers himself a "cultural" Muslim, but perhaps I am wrong. And you know perfectly well what that phrase "cultural Muslim" means -- it means someone who doesn't believe in Islam, or at least in nothing aside from the Five Pillars of ritualistic worship, if that. As to the way he discusses Islam, I don't know if he uses modifying adjectives ("radical"; "extremist") or suffixes ("Islamism") or compounds ("Islamofascism") any or all of which for me would disappoint or if, instead, he agrees with Ibn Warraq, Wafa Sultan, Robert Spencer, and millions of others that the way to talk about Islam is to use the unadorned word "Islam."
Hugh, US Infidel, and Ronin,
Thanks for the suggestions.
It turns out that Bhutto will be on campus for another day or two, to take part in some small-group discussions and possible give another lecture or two to some classes. I don't work there, or live close by, so it's highly doubtful I'll attended anything other than the lecture. And, I may not have the chance to get up and ask any questions in front of an audience. So, I've been thinking of other ways to spread the truth.
I've been meaning to print up some Jihadwatch business cards since returning to the States, and tomorrow is as good a time as ever, considering the opporunity afforded me with this event.
I may print up some specifically designed for women.....what books/websites should I recommend on the card besides Jihadwatch.org and Spencer's books? One's geared towards women's issues with Islam?
Also, I think it would be highly effective if there just so happened (out of the blue... Oh! What a coincidence!) to be a short post (new or old) here on Jihadwatch, that would expose some of the more unsavory, theologically-sanctioned, aspects of women and their place in Islam, and would tell those curious ones which books or websites to read to learn more.
Or maybe a link that could be kept up, on the border under the Oriana picture, for the whole week, a Jihadwatch special, Islam for Infidel Women.
You are busy people, and I don't mean to be demanding, but I have great confidence Hugh could quickly whip something up that's just short and potent enough to keep SOME of the faculty and students searching, toiling, and learning the truth.
And you are right, this is war. The preparation has begun, and thanks to this site and all the people who contribute to it, the preparation began a year and a half ago.
Forgive me for butting in Thomas but, at the risk of offending others on the board, I don’t support Tashib Sayyed. I don’t support Muslims of any stripe. They have the words of the Qur’an and deeds of Muhammad to guide their lives and no amount of alchemy can turn rocks into gold.
I will support Muslims when I see them marching in the streets by the thousands denouncing hate, terror, and all the other nasty stuff that goes along with that book and that man. I’m afraid my prejudice towards Islam runs too deep.
Tashib, Thomas, You seem like decent, intelligent people. How do you overlook all those nasty words and deeds in good conscience? I find it curious that one could not take offense to the offensive, but in fact cherish it.
butterfly, forgive me for butting in to your butting in with Thomas, but I fear we will never know clearly why (or how) Thomas and Tashbih turn the radioactive rocks of Mohammed into the gold of reverence and admiration.
Two mistakes were made at the briefing, as I see it:
First, “sorry, no drinks, it’s Ramadan”. Would/did the culturally sensitive General chastise the Iraqi Generals when they started to drink/eat/masticate/masturbate? Do her edicts only apply to us infidels?
Second, and no-one has yet commented on it, "we had 2 visiting Iraq Generals briefing a future operation". The first mistake was odious and disgusting, but the second mistake will get U.S. soldiers killed.
Our on-going involvement in Iraq is insanity compounded by inanity compounded by madness compounded by psychosis. This show does not require the comedic genius of Larry Gelbart writing/producing it. Simply showing the day-to-day decisions made there would keep us all laughing till we cried.
As for suggestions for actresses to play the General, please consider Paris Hilton. Her acting skills may be, ahh, subpar, but her charms cannot be ignored. And the ratings...that is what matters. Your show must be seen by millions.
Tashib, Thomas, Answer my question please.