More People Who Hate Us Now

[Spence]

KABUL, Afghanistan - Police and U.S. troops opened fire in an eastern Afghan city to control hundreds of students rioting over the alleged desecration of Islam's holy book at the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. At least two protesters were killed and more than 50 injured, officials said.

Shouting "Death to America," the demonstrators smashed car and shop windows and stoned a passing convoy of American soldiers in the city of Jalalabad, near the Pakistan border. Mobs also attacked the Pakistani consulate and the office of a Swedish relief organization. No foreigners were reported hurt.

"They are very angry and are spread over all over the city," provincial intelligence chief Sardar Shah told The Associated Press. "There are police, army and Americans shooting into the air. ... We've tried to get control but I think it is impossible."

At one point, students threw stones at a group of American military vehicles, officials said. U.S. troops fired into the air before quickly leaving the area, Shah said. A U.S. military spokeswoman in Kabul had no comment.

An Associated Press Television News cameraman said the crowds grew larger and wilder after the firing and that the streets were deserted of traffic. Mobs pelted a government office and the local television station with rocks and tore down posters of President Hamid Karzai.
...
The demonstrations began Tuesday, when protesters burned an effigy of President Bush over a report in Newsweek magazine that interrogators at Guantanamo Bay placed Qurans on toilets in order to rattle suspects, and in at least one case "flushed a holy book down the toilet."

In Washington, the State Department said the allegations of desecration were "certainly serious and it would be important to have them be looked into."
...
Witnesses said students also demanded the release of all prisoners from Guantanamo, and that "American troops don't stay in Afghanistan forever" — tricky issues likely to be discussed when Karzai meets Bush in Washington later this month.

The government of neighboring Pakistan — like Afghanistan, a conservative Muslim nation and close ally in Washington's war on terrorism — on Saturday said it was "deeply dismayed" over the magazine report and called for an inquiry.

A coalition of hardline Islamic parties in Pakistan said it will hold nationwide protests on Friday, the traditional day of prayer for Muslims.

Source

My emphasis.

[danny's stogie]

I thought they already hated us?

[smoak]

Originally Posted by danny's stogie

I thought they already hated us?

I don't follow world events nearly as closely as I would have liked, but after we removed the Taliban, a lot of Afgans were very appreciative (based on my perception of media reports). The fact that the riots were students (rather than militants) and that Pakistan is concerned re: the issue weighs heavily for me. The US is seen as a tyrant bully in the world, and sometimes I can see why.

[danny's stogie]

Originally Posted by smoakme

I don't follow world events nearly as closely as I would have liked, but after we removed the Taliban, a lot of Afgans were very appreciative (based on my perception of media reports). The fact that the riots were students (rather than militants) and that Pakistan is concerned re: the issue weighs heavily for me. The US is seen as a tyrant bully in the world, and sometimes I can see why.

You're probably right...I don't know what's better for Afghanistan, a country run by the Taliban or a country run by drug lords. Maybe they prefer the drug lords, were happy for a while and now hate the US again. Honestly, I dont' know, Bush's effervescence and the US media's reduction to a role of progagandizer has left me disillusioned and unsure as to the reality of world affairs.

[smoak]

I really can't argue with the protestors opinions, but I do not agree with their actions. Bush with all his talk about making allies seems to be doing nothing more than making enemies in the world. I'm not "anti-Republican" or a Democrat... I just despise what Bush has done to the country.

[BurgundyNGold]

Originally Posted by SpenceKABUL, Afghanistan - Police and U.S. troops opened fire in an eastern Afghan city to control hundreds of students rioting over the [B

alleged[/b] desecration of Islam's holy book at the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. At least two protesters were killed and more than 50 injured, officials said.

Students protestng without a whole lot of reason. Hmmm. Sounds like democracy to me.

[Spence]

Originally Posted by BurgundyNGold

Students protestng without a whole lot of reason.

I dunno about that. They take the desecration of the Koran quite seriously, just as Christian fundamentalists would take reports of Biblical desecration quite seriously. It doesn't mean that much to an agnostic or atheist, but if you're a believer...

[CNYSkinFan]

Originally Posted by Spence

I dunno about that. They take the desecration of the Koran quite seriously, just as Christian fundamentalists would take reports of Biblical desecration quite seriously. It doesn't mean that much to an agnostic or atheist, but if you're a believer...

I think that is the most disturbing part. The flushing of the holy book down the toilet. What possible positive outcome could be hoped for from that? It is not insensitivity, it is beyond that. It is a pure disrespect for a whole religion.

And don't give me that it is an interrogation tactic because I doubt we would flush the bible down the toilet when talking to a christian suspect.

[RedskinsDave]

Yeah those fellas down there in Gitmo sure as hell have earned some respect. Why are they allowed to make a mockery of of Islam and our interrogators cannot?

[CNYSkinFan]

Originally Posted by RedskinsDave

Yeah those fellas down there in Gitmo sure as hell have earned some respect. Why are they allowed to make a mockery of of Islam and our interrogators cannot?

The short answer is No of course not because we are better then them (the terrorists) or at least say we are.

[BurgundyNGold]

Originally Posted by Spence

I dunno about that. They take the desecration of the Koran quite seriously, just as Christian fundamentalists would take reports of Biblical desecration quite seriously. It doesn't mean that much to an agnostic or atheist, but if you're a believer...

It's still alleged at this point. As long is it is, there's not a whole lot of reason to protest.

[fent]

Originally Posted by BurgundyNGold

It's still alleged at this point. As long is it is, there's not a whole lot of reason to protest.

judging by our proud nation's protestors, the only "reason" you need to protest is that your too lazy to shave your legs/take a shower and you got stoned last night and thought it would be a cool way to get out of work for the 4th week in a row

[Spence]

Originally Posted by fentonator

judging by our proud nation's protestors, the only "reason" you need to protest is that your too lazy to shave your legs/take a shower and you got stoned last night and thought it would be a cool way to get out of work for the 4th week in a row

That's pretty much what I was thinking about all those fruitcakes camped out in Pinellas County during the Schiavo mess. And that bunch of goofballs protesting in Alabama after the Ten Commandments were removed from the courthouse. Bunch of smelly, unshaven, drug-addled right-wing freakouts.

[Spence]

Originally Posted by BurgundyNGold

It's still alleged at this point. As long is it is, there's not a whole lot of reason to protest.

I guess I don't follow that logic at all, but considering some of the abuses committed by U.S. troops against Arab and Afghan captives that have been documented and proven, a lot of people in Afghanistan are inclined to believe these things. Especially when the U.S. government has not denied it. A protest seems like a fairly predictable and natural reaction.

[BurgundyNGold]

Originally Posted by Spence

I guess I don't follow that logic at all, but considering some of the abuses committed by U.S. troops against Arab and Afghan captives that have been documented and proven, a lot of people in Afghanistan are inclined to believe these things. Especially when the U.S. government has not denied it. A protest seems like a fairly predictable and natural reaction.

It's sure a good thing that these protesters didn't go off half cocked, eh? That's why I reiterated that these were still alleged. I'm all for protests to accomplish a goal, but you'd better have the side or right behind you or you might actually hurt your cause.