Wisconsin store yanks fireworks offensive to Muslims

[1LT in 101st Airborne]

MnNative wrote:

I find this offensive:
http://www.youtube.com/watch...

What do you think of this? It makes you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch...

[gimme a break]

So, the insults and name calling is going to stop the suicide bombings and other atrocities?

It's like a hornet's nest.

Couple years ago, I went for a walk with my kid. We saw a couple of teens throwing rocks at a tree a half block away, sort of wondered what they were doing (they were laughing) but didn't give it much thought. On our way back, we walked past the tree and were immediately attacked by a swarm of angry hornets - my son was fortunate enough that they didn't actually sting him, but I got stung badly on one arm. If I had been allergic I would likelly have died. We called the city, since the tree and nest was on city property. They came by, killed the hornets, and destroyed the nest.

What am I saying? Stinging insects are not necessarily dangerous. Honeybees and bumblebees are vital; other stinging insects help control different insect populations. Problems come when aggressive wasps or hornets, or even bees, move into areas that put them in direct conflict with those already living there. Hornets will attack anything they see as a threat, whether it is or not. That taunting and teasing the hornets didn't do anyting but get them more riled up and caused innocent people to be hurt. The only way to stop the aggresive hornets is to destroy the nest.

I'm not saying that all hornets should be destroyed. But when they become aggressive, and intrude on a peaceful area causing injury and mayhem, don't stand across the street throwing rocks just to p**s them off; have the proper authorities go in and destroy the nest.

[1LT in 101st Airborne]

What about mosquitos, packer fans and other neighborhood nuisances?

[They get dumber dont they]

1LT in 101st Airborne wrote:

What about mosquitos, packer fans and other neighborhood nuisances?

ya mean army wannabe's???

[Motley Larry]

I am offended and I don't even know why. Maybe I am part Muslim.

[1LT in 101st Airborne]

Motley Larry wrote:

I am offended and I don't even know why. Maybe I am part Muslim.

I'm not offended. I haven't been this happy since Chef Boy-R-Dee came out with a fat free version of raviolis. Good stuff. But then, as the saying goes here at Ft Campbell: if you're happy and ya know it, you're a Rakkasan.

[1LT in 101st Airborne]

http://www.rakkasan.net/regimentalhistory.htm

[Monk]

1LT in 101st Airborne wrote:

I believe very strongly in "live and let live." I care not one iota if someone wants to be Catholic (my religion). Catholic or Lutheran or Jewish or Buddhist...in my opinion it's nobody's business but your own. I have friends who are Jewish, Jevova's Witnesses, and nearly everything else. When I'm out on my motorcycle and pass an Amish family in a buggy I always wave and even slow down so as not to spook the horse (never knew they had Amish in Tennessee till lately). Where I draw the line is in being pressured - at gunpoint or in any other manner - into changing MY religion or lifestyle. In college a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses came to the door one afternoon. Rather than slam the door in their face, which I'm sure they're used to, I invited them in to talk. I had no intention of converting and I was clear on that, but I think we all have an obligation to try to understand those around us and learn from them.
So when I deploy, it is not with the intention of "defeating Muslims" (due in part to your response). My goal is merely what previous generations referred to as liberty; the freedom to live as I see fit and for generations after mine to do the same. I would wager that most officers above me and soldiers below me agree.
It's not about the flag or a political party or apple pie. I think a lot of Americans in general feel the same way. If the actions of another nation don't affect us, we're generally isolationist in viewpoint. It's only when we get "Pearl Harbored" that it's on. I respect your response and I grant you that the interpetation here of the Koran may be cultural on the part(s) of the Taliban, Al Qaeda, the Indonesian Gov't, Sudan, the Iranian Gov't, most Saudis, etc. and I don't think it should be our goal to necessarily eradicate Islam. But those who commit terrorism, harbor terrorists, or in any way aspire to force change upon us, are in my opinion the enemy. Another poster mentioned the Rules of Engagement (ROE) that often tie a pilot's hands when determining whether he can release his load or not. On the ground, we have ROE, but soldiers are empowered to determine when/if they feel they're threatened. Mind you, if you do someone there's going to be what we call a 15-6 investigation, so you better be right, but any infantryman will tell you that if you're unsure, "it's better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6."

I sure enjoy reading your posts. You bring reason and rationality to every topic you address. thanks, Monk

[1LT in 101st Airborne]

Thanks, that means a lot. My wife would tell you that I have an inability to take anything seriously (personally I think any woman who can't enjoy a good episode of Family Guy is a little off...).

[Drip Drip]

All is well and good with what you said, 1LT, but I think that the point of outrage for the Muslim group was that it worsens a negative attitude toward Muslims in America. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a Muslim in Minneapolis who is actively engaging in terrorism, yet things like this make us look differently at them just because of who they are and where they come from. That is entirely unfair. The golden rule in American is do what want as long as it doesn't harm other people (or their property). I think that ensinuating that you would like to shoot fireworks at symbol that represents the "enemy" is detrimental to society and shows that we are no better than the terrorists. I think we are better and I'd like to see our people and products reflect respect for all Americans, otherwise we are just perpetuating the stereotypes that probably feed Muslim terror.

[John T]

This is trampling of free speach. The Muslims need to learn what that means.

[Monk]

Drip Drip wrote:

I think that ensinuating that you would like to shoot fireworks at symbol that represents the "enemy" is detrimental to society and shows that we are no better than the terrorists. I think we are better and I'd like to see our people and products reflect respect for all Americans, otherwise we are just perpetuating the stereotypes that probably feed Muslim terror.

Where in his post did 1LT in 101st Airborne say anything
about shooting off these fireworks? I can't find that in any
of his comments.
The 1st Lt fought side-by-side with Muslim soldiers against the enemy in Iraq and is heading to Afghanistan where he'll be fighting with Afghan soldiers, against the enemy. He is risking his life to help Muslims have democracy. You should be thanking him for his service, IMO.

[Sgt Ret]

Drip Drip wrote:

All is well and good with what you said, 1LT, but I think that the point of outrage for the Muslim group was that it worsens a negative attitude toward Muslims in America. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a Muslim in Minneapolis who is actively engaging in terrorism, yet things like this make us look differently at them just because of who they are and where they come from. That is entirely unfair. The golden rule in American is do what want as long as it doesn't harm other people (or their property). I think that ensinuating that you would like to shoot fireworks at symbol that represents the "enemy" is detrimental to society and shows that we are no better than the terrorists. I think we are better and I'd like to see our people and products reflect respect for all Americans, otherwise we are just perpetuating the stereotypes that probably feed Muslim terror.

Do you not read or hear in the media that yet another Minnesotan has been killed during a terroristic act in Somalia? I'll bet he was NOT a Minnesotan but another one who cherry picks his causes after being given a new (and free) start in America.

[The Forum]

WiseGuy wrote:

<quoted text>
"Hadji" is the word for a muslim who has completed the religious obligation of the hadj. It's a religious slur, pure and simple, no matter how many of the facts you selectively try to ignore. You're a self-deceived, thinly-veiled bigot, and you're no match. I've already told you, bin Laden doesn't wear a turban.

Talk about someone with nothing to do except throw slurs. What a Neanderthal through-back. Bite all of us!

[SunShine]

If any of the finger flappers out there ever served, they would all ready know why we give derogatory names to the enemy.

I have to tell you, reading some of the PC cronies in here really is a hoot!

Thanks for the jocularity!

[gimme a break]

SunShine wrote:

If any of the finger flappers out there ever served, they would all ready know why we give derogatory names to the enemy.
I have to tell you, reading some of the PC cronies in here really is a hoot!
Thanks for the jocularity!

Of course - it's a psychological ploy to get the soldiers to think of the enemy as charicatures and not as humans. It makes it easier for them to do their job. That's the way it's always been done, for centuries - if you de-humanize the enemy, they're easier to kill. It did wonders in WWII - remember all those great charicatures of "Japs" with the big buck teeth and the big glasses, they "talka rike diss"? Just watch old Buggs Bunny cartoons. Not the PC'd up ones you see on TV, the ones they sell cheap at the dollar store.

It also helps the people "back home" to see the enemy as very different from themselves. They look different, talk different, act different. The problems occur when your next door neighbor, or the guy who owns the corner store, looks and talks just like the enemy. That's how we ended up with German and Japanese internment camps during WWII. That's how we end up with peoplebeing suspicious of their neighbor because he or she fits the stereotype, looks and sounds like the enemy.

[Sam I Am]

The terrorists can fly planes into buildings for unlimited virgins, but don't you dare make a firework with a moozlim on it.

Thats where we draw the line

[only if it takes out]

Sam I Am wrote:

The terrorists can fly planes into buildings for unlimited virgins, but don't you dare make a firework with a moozlim on it.
Thats where we draw the line

all the Chriss-my-ass-tians like you