If you’ve ever noticed, the people who talk the toughest game and are at the same time the most frightened of Muslims, are generally people who have rarely encountered one and probably have never had a conversation with one. Most, like Donald Trump, have never served active duty
Chris Herbert did serve active duty. He lost his leg in Iraq when he was only 19-years-old and his unit was ambushed in 2007. He doesn’t hate Muslims, though, and in his viral Facebook posts, he told us that we shouldn’t hate either.
Here’s his powerful post:
Of course, Herbert is British and well, everyone else in the world seems brave compared to this new breed of chickens*it Americans who support Trump and other Republicans, but he brings up a critical point. Muslims are fighting the War on Terror right beside us.
The Pentagon just reported that there are more than 5,000 Muslims serving in the U.S. military. That’s far more than the number of Muslims who have carried out successful terrorist attacks against the United States, which should mean that if we are to stereotype Muslims, we would stereotype them as patriots, not as terrorists. At least, that’s what the numbers say.
The larger numbers pan out as well. A poll (albeit not a new one) found that:
Muslim Americans have not become disillusioned with the country. They are overwhelmingly satisfied with the way things are going in their lives (82%) and continue to rate their communities very positively as places to live (79% excellent or good).
As for Muslims outside this country, with the exception of Pakistan, the entire world has an unfavorable view of ISIS, Muslim or not.
Of course, there is one way to radicalize the Muslims who live inside our borders - treat them the way Trump advocates. The way to calm tensions down is to have more people like Chris Herbert.
Featured image via Facebook
Muslims are not the problem. Islamists enforcing Sharia law is the problem.
Well, to drill down one layer further, ignorance and extremism are the problem.
Of course, that exists everywhere in one form or another. It is getting to be an epidemic here in Texas.
I feel for you guys. Your cup really does runneth over. (I live in a red state too.)
Religious extremists of all stripes are the problem. I’m much more likely to be beaten to death by a white right wing christian conservative right here in River City. I live in a small town and I know of two gay men here who were beaten to death, and another who was beaten and left for dead. By christians.
Compared to thousands killed by ISIS? Hahahahaha. Didn’t know you were sinless, Mr Everything
Not by any real christian, but yes a few give all a bad name eh!
Fear is a strong feeling!
Good kid.
Thank you for your service but that doesn’t make you right.
Sigh!
“farrightextreme.” That says it all. Translates as “Ignorant, hate filled bigot.”
Hahahahaha. You got the stock answer down pat, stinky. You’re hilarious entertainment.
Correct - common sense makes him right. You can’t demonize a billion plus people based on the actions of a fraction of a percentage.
Until our immigration can determine which Muslims are Evil or which are Good, we Must stop receiving them!
Let me guess, you can “just tell” who is eveil and who is good? If that were the truth, there would be no terrorism. Nice logic and reason, there! Lack of critical thinking is rampant. Don’t fall for it, We must preserve our Constitution, folks.
Sorry Sir forgot to say, Thank You for your service!
“Thank you for your service”, the most trite, ingenuous statement you could make to this fine young man.
Better you say “I’m sorry that your Government put you in harms way and lied to you about why you were sent.”
I am unable to understand why ,if Americans are attacked in another country it is by terrorists, but they aren’t they terrorists if they attack the people of another country.
Let’s face it, the US hasn’t won a war since the Japanese were defeated in WW2, and even then they had help.
The USA is so insecure they have to have bases all over the world.
Who else does that ?
Get your heads out of your arses and by all means build up a strong defense force, But do it in your own country.
“Thank you for your service”, the most trite, ingenuous statement you could make to this fine young man.
Better you say “I’m sorry that your Government put you in harms way and lied to you about why you were sent.”
This young Brit sets a fine example which US Republicans will never understand.
The sad part of the whole situation is that political scum will send young men to fight and die to enrich themselves politically and financially, and then vote to curtail benefits for these young men. (PS. I am an Australian veteran of the 60’s and they lied to us too.)
Muslims are commanded to kill in the Koran, Christians are commanded to give up their lives out of love for their fellow men. Just because many Muslims don’t act the way their religion says they should does not mean Islam is not evil and violent, because it is, does not mean Jesus is not the Creator and savior who will one day return to judge the world, because He is and HE WILL!
Your ignorance and prejudice is showing loud and clear.
And actually, Muhammad, the prophet, has told Muslims to treat non-believers with respect and tolerance.