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US general won't quit over Islam remarks -officials

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NNN0LHI

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Fri Oct-17-03 03:02 PM
Original message

US general won't quit over Islam remarks -officials

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N173380.htm

WASHINGTON, Oct 17 (Reuters) - A senior Pentagon intelligence official facing criticism for his comments that Muslims worship an "idol" does not plan to quit his post and believes his remarks have been taken out of context, U.S. defense officials said on Friday.

Army Lt. Gen. William Boykin, deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence and war-fighting support, has "decided to tone things down" although he "feels that his comments have been taken out of context," said one defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Boykin has used speeches at churches and prayer breakfasts to portray the U.S. battle with Islamic radicals as a clash with "Satan," saying they sought to destroy America "because we're a Christian nation." Referring to a Muslim fighter in Somalia, Boykin said that "my God was bigger than his. I knew that my God was a real God, and his was an idol."

A senior Democratic member of the House of Representatives, Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, asked Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to discipline Boykin.

more

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hackwriter

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Fri Oct-17-03 03:05 PM
Response to Original message

1. Of course he won't resign

He is merely repeating the Administration's official position.

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Rebel_with_a_cause

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Fri Oct-17-03 03:16 PM
Response to Reply #1

5. "Operation Infinite Justice"

Bush's crusade against the infidels.

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flamingyouth

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Fri Oct-17-03 03:06 PM
Response to Original message

2. His comments haven't been taken out of context at all

In fact, I'm sure his puppet masters are most pleased with him.

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trotsky

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Fri Oct-17-03 03:07 PM
Response to Original message

3. This kind of stuff is what the freepers live for.

They agree with the general 100%, naturally. It's good vs. evil, and obviously since we are entirely good, they are pure evil! And they worship a false god, AND their laundry doesn't get that April-fresh scent either!

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patdem

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Fri Oct-17-03 03:15 PM
Response to Original message

4. Hey....this just gives Muslims ammunition against the current

administration. Imagine a corporation...they espouse a view that is discrimanotory...this is just STUPIDITY of the administration, since it gives the Muslim community so much more ammo to sue the government....??? How stupid is the current administration??? Unless of course they change the law and do not allow Islamists or Arabs to sue the USA???

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forgethell

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Fri Oct-17-03 03:47 PM
Response to Reply #4

10. Sue the government??

for what? Freedom of expression, even if it is obnoxious and repugnant??

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nadinbrzezinski

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Fri Oct-17-03 04:15 PM
Response to Reply #10

14. Not under the UCMJ

Boykin, as any other service member in the US Military,
does not have that lucxury.

Of course IF the Pentago refuses to discipline the General
troops are now free and clear to critize the CiC... as in Bush
while in Uniform, wanna bet they will get prosecuted?

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chasqui

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Fri Oct-17-03 11:01 PM
Response to Reply #14

24. The UCMJ can be broad.

If they like you, you will not get in trouble. If they dislike you, you are fucked. They like this guy, he will not get in trouble.

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forgethell

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Sat Oct-18-03 11:40 PM
Response to Reply #14

33. I may be mistaken

but i think the UCMJ does not cover civl actions like "suing". Yes, he could be dismissed, but sued? It would be laughed out of court. Besides, do we want to be on record as restricting freedom of expression. I think the left has much more to lose than the right does, if that happens. Ideas are what we have to offer. Aren't they??

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DuctapeFatwa

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Fri Oct-17-03 03:21 PM
Response to Original message

6. Nor should he. He should repeat his remarks as often as possible

Expand them, inspire all the regime henchmen to do the same.

The only people who don't know it's a Crusade against Islam also believe that the Iraqi people are grateful for their new life of freedom to praise the bush regime and that God chose bush to bring Jesus back to rapture away all the Christians and hurl the Jews into a lake of fire.

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muchacho

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Fri Oct-17-03 03:22 PM
Response to Original message

7. boob

more on this boob.

Washington - A three-star general active in the search for Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein has told religious audiences that the war on terrorism is a battle between a "Christian army" and Satan, and that Muslims worship an "idol" and not a "real God."

The comments by Army Lt. Gen. William "Jerry" Boykin conflict with repeated statements by President George W. Bush that the war on terrorism is not a war against the Muslim faith, yet top Pentagon leaders yesterday refused to criticize Boykin and cited his "outstanding" 30-year military record.

"At first blush, it doesn't look like any rules were broken," said Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

<snip>

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-uspent173498203oct17,0,2933140.story?coll=ny-nationalnews-headlines

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5thGenDemocrat

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Fri Oct-17-03 09:08 PM
Response to Reply #7

23. As a Catholic, I'll stand with my Muslim brothers and sisters on this...

Edited on Fri Oct-17-03 09:20 PM by 5thGenDemocrat

"There is no God but God."
John
And, oh yes, Boykin WILL resign before this is through. Kicking and screaming if need be.
ON EDIT: I just watched the NBC clip. This assclown said this BS while he was in uniform. That is both unbelievable AND unacceptable.
Toast him.

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CO Liberal

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Fri Oct-17-03 03:29 PM
Response to Original message

8. Then He Needs to be FIRED!!!!!

Immediately. With complete loss of pension and benefits.

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The Magistrate

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Fri Oct-17-03 03:30 PM
Response to Original message

9. He Should Not Quit

He ought to be cashiered.

That will not happen, of course.

"What is not forbidden is required."

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tom_paine

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Fri Oct-17-03 03:47 PM
Response to Original message

11. He's a Bushevik Loyalist...placed there for a reason

He ain't going NOWHERE.

Just what the hell do you think the Busheviks purged their disloyal (aka loyal to the Busheviks and not to America) Generals for?

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madfloridian

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Fri Oct-17-03 03:48 PM
Response to Original message

12. I saw the video on TV of him, strutting near the pulpit in his uniform.

My husband and I got sick. He looked so pompous. Preaching in a church seems a little much??

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0007

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Fri Oct-17-03 04:00 PM
Response to Reply #12

13. Glad I didn't see it!*

*

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nadinbrzezinski

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Fri Oct-17-03 04:16 PM
Response to Reply #12

15. Imagine my hubby,

he is a navy man, he knows this is a no-no... he
knows he tried he woudl be COURT MARTIALED for it.

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madfloridian

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Fri Oct-17-03 04:22 PM
Response to Reply #15

17. I did not know that.

Was it NBC news that showed it? We were stunned. He was strutting all over the riser.

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nadinbrzezinski

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Fri Oct-17-03 05:35 PM
Response to Reply #17

20. Yep, I urge you to

write letters NOW

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peterh

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Fri Oct-17-03 04:21 PM
Response to Original message

16. In the event that the SC lets the pledge stand�

There are efforts underway to rewrite that little section to read:

�.One Nation under the biggest darn tootenest God, indivisible�..

(half sarcasm)

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madfloridian

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Fri Oct-17-03 04:27 PM
Response to Original message

18. Wow! I found the video.... a must see video.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/981411.asp

Article as well. Thank goodness NBC keeps videos a little while and doesn't charge!

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leesa

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Fri Oct-17-03 05:02 PM
Response to Original message

19. He shouldn't quit, he should be FIRED...immediately

Nasty people evangelical christians!

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Malva Zebrina

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Fri Oct-17-03 05:51 PM
Response to Reply #19

21. Who is going to fire him? Bush?

Edited on Fri Oct-17-03 05:52 PM by Marianne

Why Bush hears from the same god every day--he is convinced that he himself has been singled out by this very same god to lead a country into wars with the infidels and kill them all, women and children and old men. He , Bush, is as insane and as nutty a religious nut as this guy. They are wallowing in relgious fantasy ans delusion--and the sad part is that the religious lemmings are following them over the cliff.

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lapauvre

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Fri Oct-17-03 07:09 PM
Response to Original message

22. Can you help me out?

Very old lady with very old computer.  Cannot view video.  Is
there some transcript of this speech, ANYWHERE, so I can make
my own judgment of how serious I think this is?  Apparently
Ashcroft has disabled my Google, ha ha.

Thanks, if anybody knows, please post?  Thanks.

By the way, where, exactly, is the video.  I have am
acquainted with others who have more modern computers.

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madfloridian

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Sat Oct-18-03 12:11 AM
Response to Reply #22

25. Here is the video site.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/981411.asp

The write-up is on the same page.

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Judi Lynn

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Sat Oct-18-03 02:42 AM
Response to Reply #25

26. He's stupid, disrespectful of others, and delusional

Of course he sounds no loonier than any of the other right-wing religious extremists.

It was very interesting seeing that MSNBC clip, madfloridian, thanks for providing it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~```

Here's another article on Boykin from the BBC:

Last Updated: Saturday, 18 October, 2003, 07:03 GMT 08:03 UK

US general: 'I'm not anti-Islam'

Lt Gen Boykin has a glittering military record
A leading US general has apologised for appearing to cast the war on terrorism as a spiritual battle between Christianity and Satan.

Evangelical Christian Lieutenant-General William G Boykin said in a statement that he never meant to offend Muslims.

"I am not anti-Islam or any other religion... I support the free exercise of all religions," he said.

Referring to a Muslim fighter in Somalia, General Boykin had said: "My God was bigger than his. I knew that my God was a real God, and his was an idol." (snip/...)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3202690.stm

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Jorje Bzsch

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Sat Oct-18-03 03:02 AM
Response to Original message

27. I wouldnt be surprise

If he get promoted for this....from Repuks

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cliss

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Sat Oct-18-03 01:20 PM
Response to Reply #27

28. Hi, Jorje

Welcome to the DU! And yes, you're probably right. He'll get a big promotion for this...

:pals:

The Democratic Underground is my one-stop shopping center for the news. I don't even bother to go to Yahoo news anymore. I used to read it, and get furious. Now I read it, and do something about the news (namely, post my opinion). It's my therapy.

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AntiCoup2K4

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Sat Oct-18-03 01:27 PM
Response to Original message

29. What bible does this idiot general read?

The bibles I have say that the Arabs are descendants of Ishmael, the son of Abraham, just as the Jews are the descendants of Isaac, the son of Abraham. As far as I know, Abraham didn't talk to two different Gods, and it was just one God who told him he would be the father of many nations.

Now what exactly does General Boingy have that contradicts this? :crazy:

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PhuLoi

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Sat Oct-18-03 01:36 PM
Response to Original message

30. The context to which he refers must have been prefaced:

"Here is what a mindless psychotic with a messianic complex and a general officer's commission might say ...Satan...Idol...mine's bigger than your's...etc"

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bleedingheart

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Sat Oct-18-03 01:41 PM
Response to Original message

31. He should be fired!

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peterh

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Sat Oct-18-03 01:47 PM
Response to Original message

32. Top General Says He's 'Not Anti-Islam'

<http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-3279539,00.html>

``I am not anti-Islam or any other religion,'' Boykin said. ``I support the free exercise of all religions. For those who have been offended by my statements, I offer a sincere apology.''
Pentagon officials released Boykin's statement late Friday after spending hours deliberating how to calm the storm of criticism surrounding Boykin's comments.

What a crock of shit�.Only a press release that the Pentagon writers put together for him designed to sweep it under the rug and move on. But, facts or facts and this shithead has demonstrated intolerance to anything non-christian.

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