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."
Saudi religious police stormed a house in the Saudi Arabian
province of al-Jouf, detaining more than 41 guests for “plotting to
celebrate Christmas,” a statement from the police branch released
Wednesday night said. The raid is the latest in a string of religious crackdowns against
residents perceived to threaten the country's strict religious code.
The host of the alleged Christmas gathering is reported to be an Asian
diplomat whose guests included 41 Christians, as well as two Saudi
Arabian and Egyptian Muslims. The host and the two Muslims were said to
be “severely intoxicated.” The guests were said to have been referred to the "respective
authorities." It is unclear whether or not they have been released
since.
The kingdom, which only recognizes Islamic faith and practice, has in
the past banned public Christmas celebrations, but is ambiguous about
festivities staged in private quarters. Saudi religious police are known to detain residents of the kingdom at
whim, citing loose interpretations of Sharia and public statements by
hardline religious leaders to justify crackdowns. Saudi Arabia's head mufti Sheikh Abdel Aziz bin Abdullah had previously
condemned “invitations to Christmas or wedding celebrations.” A member of the Higher Council of Islamic scholars in Saudi Arabia,
Sheikh Mohammed al-Othaimin recently prohibited sending holiday wishes
to "heretics" on Christmas or other religious Christian holidays.
The
story goes on to show that in Saudi Arabia, there is no big stretch
from amusing "Oddly Enough"-type stories to real abuse of human rights:
On Thursday, the Beirut-based Gulf Center for Human Rights
reported that Saudi human rights defender Raef Badawi is at risk of
execution on apostasy charges. Badawi is co-founder and editor of the Liberal Saudi Network. When he
first appeared before the district court in Jeddah, he was charged with
“insulting Islam through electronic channels” and “going beyond the
realm of obedience.” The Judge then referred the case to the higher
Public Court on an apostasy charge, which carries the penalty of death.
The General Court in Jeddah proceeded with apostasy charges on December 22. Badawi was arrested this June after the Liberal Saudi Network called for
“a day of liberalism” in Saudi Arabia, which included a conference that
was later canceled after a warning from authorities.
Earlier this week, controversial Saudi novelist and political analyst
Turki al-Hamad was arrested for criticizing Islam and the royal family
in a series of tweets. Al-Hamad is an outspoken liberal who writes about sexuality issues,
underground political movements and religious freedom. The offending
tweets suggested that Islam be rectified in the same way that the
Prophet Muhammad is said to have revised earlier Abrahamic religions. Hat tip: Elder of Ziyon
