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."
“Pure Islam” is anything but peaceful by A.S. Ibrahim - Is the Saudi crown prince a reformer or a historical revisionist?
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
HT RoP : Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently spoke with The Atlantic
about his views on religion, politics, and economics. The heir to the
Saudi throne emphasized Islam as the fundamental foundation of the
state, denounced Islamist extremism, and insisted that he aims at
returning Saudi Arabia “back to pure Islam.”
The interview is important for several reasons. The crown prince
(often known by his initials, MBS) is arguably among the most powerful
and influential Muslims of our day, and Saudi Arabia is the most
cherished place on the planet for billions of Muslims. It is the
heartland of Islam, where Muhammad presumably lived and preached.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia is the epicenter of Sunni Islam—a version
commonly followed by more than 85 percent of Muslims worldwide.
While the interview revealed a great deal about the crown prince’s
religious and political views, his remarks on reforming Islam by
rejecting extremism and returning to “pure Islam” are worth examining,
as they present factual inaccuracies and lack historical support.
MBS began the interview by distancing himself from Muslim extremists,
accusing them of distorting Islam and claiming they “hijacked and
changed our religion into something new for their own interests.” He
presented himself as both a true conservative and a real reformer, as he
vowed to bring Saudi Arabia “back to the roots” of the true faith.
