I was having a discussion in another place about whether there are legitimate conflicts that an American soldier with Arabic and Muslim backgrounds would have that we need to take into consideration. Disclaimer: I know some on AFF so let me just get this out of the way: I am not in any way looking to defend, minimize, or justify the shootings at Fort Hood or any other type of attack like this.
However, I do think that there is sufficient enough legitimate concern to look into it. Here is a post I made in that discussion:
I think it is something to consider. I would imagine that we would have conflicted soldiers who are practicing Jews if we were ever fighting against Isreal. The issue is that not only is it an ethnic connection, but a religious one as well. Both of those can be powerful connections.
When you factor in that, like in all wars, there are innocent casualties and that many people are conflicted about our right to be involved in some of the situations and our blanket support of Isreal, I think it is a discussion that needs to be had.
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There are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Chuck Norris lives in Houston.
Either the United States will destroy ignorance, or ignorance will destroy the United States. – W.E.B. DuBois
I was having a discussion in another place about whether there are legitimate conflicts that an American soldier with Arabic and Muslim backgrounds would have that we need to take into consideration. Disclaimer: I know some on AFF so let me just get this out of the way: I am not in any way looking to defend, minimize, or justify the shootings at Fort Hood or any other type of attack like this.
However, I do think that there is sufficient enough legitimate concern to look into it. Here is a post I made in that discussion:
I think it is something to consider. I would imagine that we would have conflicted soldiers who are practicing Jews if we were ever fighting against Isreal. The issue is that not only is it an ethnic connection, but a religious one as well. Both of those can be powerful connections.
When you factor in that, like in all wars, there are innocent casualties and that many people are conflicted about our right to be involved in some of the situations and our blanket support of Isreal, I think it is a discussion that needs to be had.
But, the Jews' God has never told them to KILL AMERICANS!
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Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
But, the Jews' God has never told them to KILL AMERICANS!
That is not my point. I'm not talking about the virtues of Muslim vs. Jew. I'm talking about whether there would be a natural and legitimate conflict if you were having to fight a people that you are so closely connected to and whether we need to address that somehow.
I was using those in the military who are very connected to their Judaism as an example of the conflict they may face if we were ever having to fight Israel. I just think that the combination of ethnic and religious connection is not something that should be ignored.
For example, would I as a devout Apostolic have a problem fighting a place that was known and recognized as the birthplace of the Apostolic movement where virtually all of the people were practicing Apostolics...particularly if I didn't feel like those people attacked me and my country first.
__________________
There are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Chuck Norris lives in Houston.
Either the United States will destroy ignorance, or ignorance will destroy the United States. – W.E.B. DuBois
Stew I hear ya. It has to be pretty tuff. I think in the fort hood instance we didnt take time to consider this conflicted reality and being PC allowed this to unfold.
At the same time, I suspect there are some very good people who are muslim in the Military that deserve to be given what ever help they need to work thru the conflict this causes them ....
I wonder if we are too worried about "not discriminating" to the point that we wont confront danger signs or conversly we wont offer respectful assistance to some who may have honest conflict?
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Stew I hear ya. It has to be pretty tuff. I think in the fort hood instance we didnt take time to consider this conflicted reality and being PC allowed this to unfold.
At the same time, I suspect there are some very good people who are muslim in the Military that deserve to be given what ever help they need to work thru the conflict this causes them ....
I wonder if we are too worried about "not discriminating" to the point that we wont confront danger signs or conversly we wont offer respectful assistance to some who may have honest conflict?
That's my point. If we are too afraid to address the real and legitimate conflicts that this situation presents for them (and would likely present for us)...and they are too afraid to discuss their legitimate conflicts for fear of being seen as unAmerican, there will be no resolution.
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There are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Chuck Norris lives in Houston.
Either the United States will destroy ignorance, or ignorance will destroy the United States. – W.E.B. DuBois
That's my point. If we are too afraid to address the real and legitimate conflicts that this situation presents for them (and would likely present for us)...and they are too afraid to discuss their legitimate conflicts for fear of being seen as unAmerican, there will be no resolution.
Stew,
Why would they join in the first place if they felt conflicted? They know they are going to end up in the Middle East, so what's the point of enlisting?
Stew,
Why would they join in the first place if they felt conflicted? They know they are going to end up in the Middle East, so what's the point of enlisting?
PO, people join the military for many reasons. I served with one guy who was a devout pacifist.
yea I know....
but the Navy gave him a chance to go to college.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
PO, people join the military for many reasons. I served with one guy who was a devout pacifist.
yea I know....
but the Navy gave him a chance to go to college.
That is so much different, IMO, than a Muslim or Jew joining. A pacifist might think he/she can do their stint and go on to college. The global war is more personal, IMO, for a Jew or a Muslim.
Stew,
Why would they join in the first place if they felt conflicted? They know they are going to end up in the Middle East, so what's the point of enlisting?
I know career military people who are Muslim and or Arabic who didn't join assuming they would be fighting in the Middle East. I know some who joined for the same reasons that many other people join...because they love America and would like to defend her. I don't think it's as simple as saying no Arabic or Muslim should join the military. We went years and years without these types of wars in the Middle East. If we would have attacked one of the other Axis of Evil like North Korea should our only approach be "why did you join"?
When you have so many Americans wondering why we get involved in certain things, you have to recognize that Arab American Muslims are that much more conflicted.
I think that there are legitimate things that should be candidly explored.
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There are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Chuck Norris lives in Houston.
Either the United States will destroy ignorance, or ignorance will destroy the United States. – W.E.B. DuBois
I know career military people who are Muslim and or Arabic who didn't join assuming they would be fighting in the Middle East. I know some who joined for the same reasons that many other people join...because they love America and would like to defend her. I don't think it's as simple as saying no Arabic or Muslim should join the military. We went years and years without these types of wars in the Middle East. If we would have attacked one of the other Axis of Evil like North Korea should our only approach be "why did you join"?
When you have so many Americans wondering why we get involved in certain things, you have to recognize that Arab American Muslims are that much more conflicted.
I think that there are legitimate things that should be candidly explored.
Yes, but we are talking about now and not years ago. I think there probably are some Muslims that want to fight because they love America. Human beings love life and if they look at the country they could be a part of and don't agree with it and know they can come here to gain freedom from that - let them fight.
I personally believe that mistakes are made in war and life that teach us. We never thought someone would drive planes through buildings, but NOW we know, so we watch for that.
We are at a point where the American people are fed up with the "politucal correctness" and this Killeen incident is a good example. If someone has any legitimate signs of siding with the enemy, they need to be pulled.
Hybrid Mode
