Suspecting loyalty at the front

Submitted by Richard Davis (United States), Mar 26, 2003 at 09:16

There may be factors in addition to political correctness motivating the government in its efforts to downplay Akbar's (and others') Muslim motivations. As I recall, at least 3,500 Muslims serve in the military, many of these now in the Iraqi theater. While subtle vigilance of these soldiers is certainly called for after this incident, no army could afford to suddenly begin questioning the loyalty of so many of its men in the heat of battle. Nor can it afford to have its soldiers doing so individually.

That doesn't excuse the handling of this case, however. Given all that was known about this individual's behavior, not pulling him out of duty at this time was an act of (criminal?) negligence and certainly a dereliction of duty. If PC motivated that dereliction (and who doubts that it didn't play a role?), then the government needs to be called to account for its actions. Perhaps not now, but soon.

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