If the United States wants to win the War in Iraq, this is NOT the way to do it. 
The Story: U.S. General Apologizes for Desecration of Koran (Via New York Times)
BAGHDAD — The commander of United States troops in Baghdad asked local leaders and tribal sheiks this weekend for their forgiveness after the discovery that a soldier had used a Koran for target practice at a shooting range.
Responding to an episode ripe with the potential to stoke unrest, the commander, Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, held a meeting Saturday with Iraqi leaders.
“I come before you here seeking your forgiveness,” General Hammond said at the meeting, in remarks carried by CNN. “In the most humble manner, I look in your eyes today and I say, please forgive me and my soldiers.”
General Hammond also read a letter of apology from the soldier, who was not identified. “I sincerely hope that my actions have not diminished the partnership that our two nations have developed together,” the general read from the letter.
Another American officer kissed a Koran and gave it to the tribal leaders, according to news agency reports.
A statement Sunday from the American military called the desecration of the Koran, in Radwaniya, just west of Baghdad, “serious and deeply troubling” and said the soldier had been disciplined and sent out of Iraq. Iraqi police officers had found the Koran on May 11 perforated with bullet holes after American forces withdrew from the area.
This is good way to inspire more terrorists. I mean, I would be willing to bet that this guy was some sort of Conservative or something. Regardless if the United States apologized or not, the damage has been done, and I look for some sort of retaliation in the future towards our troops.
The reason I say that this was not smart, is because President Bush has repeatedly said, that this war in Iraq and Afghanistan is NOT a war against Islam or Muslims, but a war against extremists who have hijacked a Religion. Now there are those that disagree with this, and I respect their position. I personally do not believe that Islam is a religion of peace, as my bookstore reflects. However, the President does have to keep the peace amongst various Religions, so, he does have to keep these people happy, especially in their homeland, and this shooting up of a copy of Koran, only undermines that. So, taking this action was quite necessary, in order to keep the peace between us and the Iraqi people.
Some say our apology was overblown, but at this point, I would be kissing some serious behind over there. I’m glad to see the US Army took action.
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