DIANA WEST: TAKING A TRIP DOWN APOLOGY LANE
http://dianawest.net/Home/tabid/36/EntryId/2040/Taking-a-Trip-Down-Apology-Lane.aspx
Just in case the groveling apologies of Barack Hussein Obama and USMC Gen. John R. Allen for burning a few Mein Kampfs of the jihad movement, as the late and lamented Oriana Fallaci used to call the Koran, have anyone nostalgic for George W. Bush and his commanders, let’s recall one reason this story is so deja-vu-all-over-again.
Back in May 2008, a US sniper in Iraq used a Koran for target practice. Remember? I wrote quite a bit about that incident and its repercussions. Highlights included a presidential apology to Iranian stooge Maliki via teleconference, and a drenching wallow from Major General Jeffrey Hammond, commander of US forces in Baghdad, in which he called the shooting (of a book) “a criminal act.” Criminal according to what law? Not ours. Islamic law.
Here’s what happened four years ago, as reported by CNN:
Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Hammond, commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad, flanked by leaders from Radhwaniya in the western outskirts of Baghdad, apologized for the staff sergeant who was a sniper section leader assigned to the headquarters of the 64th Armored Regiment. He also read a letter of apology by the shooter.
It was the first time the incident — which tested the relationship between U.S.-backed Sunni militiamen and the military — was made public since it was discovered May 11.
“I come before you here seeking your forgiveness,” Hammond said to tribal leaders and others at the apology ceremony. “In the most humble manner I look in your eyes today and I say please forgive me and my soldiers.”
Another military official kissed a Quran and presented it as “a humble gift” to the tribal leaders.
The story continues here. I discuss here, here and later, where MG Hammond reappears as commander of Ft. Hood, here. Col. David Hunt’s excellent piece here.
Comments are closed.
