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.
__________________
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!
__________________
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?
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
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.
__________________
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?
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.
I agree that this is a discussion that needs to take place, in the very least, in considering placement of these types of situations.
It amazing really, considering how careful the military has been in placing other groups of people. The military does not permit women to serve on submarines, and women enlisted soldiers not permitted to serve in Infantry, Special Forces, etc. (last I checked, some of these may have recently changed) Also, as of this moment in time, the "don't ask, don't tell" rule still applies.
The military obviously has no problem in applying labels, and handling people differently in certain situations, why shouldn't the same rules apply in these areas?
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.
And how would you resolve it anyway.
__________________
Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
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.
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