Rudyard Kipling"
“When you're left wounded on Afganistan's plains and
the women come out to cut up what remains, Just roll to your rifle
and blow out your brains,
And go to your God like a soldier”
General Douglas MacArthur"
“We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”
“It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.” “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.
“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and be the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
“May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't .” “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
“Nobody ever defended, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass
"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint."
I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
The Soldier squared his shoulders and said
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
Although the dust from the persecution of minority Shiite Muslims in
Sampang, Madura, has not settled, another religious controversy has
emerged, this time in West Pasaman, West Sumatra.A mob numbering in the hundreds and grouped under the banner of the
Islamic Organizations Communication Forum (FKOI) descended on two
churches on Tuesday: Stasi Mahakarya and GPSI (Gereja Pentakosta Sion
Indonesia).
Those in the crowd threatened to use force to stop the congregations
from building additional structures in their compounds, nailing wooden
boards outside the churches. However, the mob was not able to come too close to the houses of
worship, which were guarded by nearly 200 police officers and Indonesian
Military (TNI) troops.
West Pasaman Regent Baharuddin said on Friday that he would ensure
the safety of all religious followers to perform divine services. “Not a
single stone will be thrown at other religious followers in West
Pasaman. I assure you of that,” Baharuddin told The Jakarta Post by
telephone on Friday.Baharuddin’s support for religious freedom was tempered by his
support for the protestors, who, before visiting the churches, forced
several cafes they said were selling alcoholic drinks to close. “I thank
them for helping the government to discipline the cafes. Also, the
church needs to seek permits before expanding its building.”
FKOI chairman Achmad Namlis said that organization’s efforts were
made only to remind the churches to obtain permits before launching new
construction projects. “This is not the tyranny of the majority. We’ll let the Christians
perform their rituals as long as they don’t breach regulations,” Achmad,
who is the chairman of the local Muhammadiyah chapter, said. Rev. Bernard, a pastor at one of the churches, said that two Islamic
organizations had rejected the permit he applied for three years ago.
“We will soon prepare the documents to get the permit,” Bernard said....Hat tip: Jihad Watch
