Thank you, America! Thanks very much
for trying to find and punish who is liable
for not handling our Koran with respect!
(Now excuse me while I crap on your Bible.)
Thank you, America! Thanks very much
for focusing on wrongs your soldiers do
at Abu Ghraib prison and Guantanamo.
(I can't wait to behead some more of you.)
Thank you, America! Thanks very much
for observing your Geneva Convention.
It makes it much easier for us to kill you.
Your rules relieve so much of our tension.
Thank you, America! Thanks very much
for not bombing us all to kingdom come
when we hide among women and children.
(But honestly, we think your decency’s dumb.)
Thank you, America! Thanks very much
for sending soldiers to search homes every day.
We enjoy sniping them but we think you're crazy
for not carpet bombing us all from miles away.
But thank you especially, American media,
for focusing on your military’s mistakes
while ignoring our crimes and atrocities.
We just pray that America never awakes.
And thank you, too, for not telling Americans
that your prisoners of war only have Korans
because you were kind enough to provide them!
Jews and Christians receive only pain at our hands.
And the biggest thank you of all to all Americans
who demonized your President during this war.
We love to see sadness in your soldiers’ eyes.
It inspires us to go and slaughter some more!
Sincerely,
Al Quaeda
Author notes
Written May 27th, 2005
In a list
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Deadly accurate & True!
Woohoo! BRAVO Mark! Absolutely, stunningly brilliant! This is pure Gold; bullseye truth!
Your penultimate line reminded me of Leonard Cohen's line in his song, "The Captain": "Whatever makes a soldier sad, will make a killer smile"
Super poem, my friend!
~Gen
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Excellent
Hello Mark, this was a Great poem and you have hit it on the money with all that you have written here, excellent examples of what the real world is about over there.....I agree how they never have come out of the dark ages and it is sad as how their people live compared to many other countries around the world. Wonderful write........good luck in the contest this is a sure winner in my book Have a great day, Ken IBT
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Tahutihotep,
I agree, and I'm just as likely to criticize my government as anyone else. The "America - love it or leave it" crowd isn't interested in truth or justice. I just get annoyed when our soldiers are compared to Nazi's. Criticisms should be balanced.
We haven't abandoned our principals as a nation, or those of the Geneva Convention. The investigations into abuse allegations, and punishments of those responsible, is evidence of that.
Thanks for the balanced response. It's nice to be able to disagree without getting nasty about it. A lot of people here don't seem to know how to do that. lol
Take care,
Mark
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True obseving the Geneva Convention Does make us a little more vulnerable, I guess, in the sense that we don't wantonly murder POWs.
But it also makes us morally superior to those who do. I for one, wouldn't have it any other way. History will remember us as the good guys, if we stand bu our principles, but if we abandon them, we abandon justice, and become just as bad as those we fight.
so, I for one am glad that there are those who speak out. it helps keep our government on the good side. As for the jihadist's, the more they murder, the more they damn themselves.
Edited on Jul 03, 1:00 because ''. -
You have again touched this sensitive subject. you have brought out this issue in the most perfect way, even though we know what its all about. Very powerful write. well done.
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Coming from a Muslim, that means a lot to me. Thank you.
I hope I made it clear enough that I am angry with only terrorists, whether they're Muslim or Irish (IRA) or Christian (Waco, abortion clinic bombings, etc.) Terrorism immediately overrides other evils. As I'm sure you would agree, human beings must seek political/societal change through peaceful means. If they kill civilians and state that they will kill more, they leave civilized societies no choice but to hunt them down and stop them from doing it.
All this violence hurts my heart, too, but there's just no other option in this world sometimes because there will always be madmen with romantic visions of a world cleansed of everything unlike themselves.
Thanks again for your comment.
Mark -
I was a bit hesitant to read this poem and the comments made- because i am Muslim. it saddens me that muslims in general get a bad name because of the bad eggs like Hussein and bin Laden. I'm very relieved that the ppl here are reasonable enough to know that there r the good ones who only want peace and we could do without bin Laden and so forth. Quite a sarcastic and insightful piece u have here. Good job and thank u for writing it. Also i must say it hurts my heart that so many innocents, both Americans and Iraqis are being killed every day
Edited on Jun 06, 5:03 p.m. because ''. -
Sad but so very True... How did I get this far behind in your writings? What I have always admired about your writings, particularly the serious issue ones, is that you're outspoken in your writes, very opinioned, something all writers should boldly have. Great Write Uncle Mark!
---Sara 
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Wow. I really liked this one as usual you have taken a touchy subject and brought it around full force. I love that about you. You always say what everyone is thinking and you really don't care what anyone else thinks about it. This poem was very true. Well keep writing and I'll keep reading.
Love,
Sharon -
I agree, Susan. Our code of conduct is what separates us from these monsters, and we can't abandon them, though I can't imagine how hard it is for our soldiers to not execute or at least put a little extra pain on captured terrorists, having witnessed their atrocities, and knowing they would gladly cut our throats if the tables were turned. These people have the mentality of insects. It reminds me of a line from the movie "Tombstone" . . .
"They're bugs, Wyatt, and there ain't no livin' with bugs."
I'm glad you and your co-workers thought this reflected the terrorist mindset accurately. Though I may come off as heavy-handed, I think out what I write carefully, and anyone who thinks the terrorists don't think this way about us is someone to whom evidence is irrelevant. They kill humanitarian workers who are there to help their people as gleefully as they kill our soldiers. They also think nothing of killing their own people who disagree with them. The sooner the world is rid of all terrorists, Islamic or otherwise, the better.
Take care,
Mark
Edited on Jun 06, 12:11 because ''. -
I have read this a couple of times and even had a couple people I kknow read it at work.
Have to say I pretty much agree with what you say 100% You have put a unique spin on the way this is all played out, but you have hit it dead on!
In the American Revolution we were the ones not playing fair. The Brits would march rank and file and our minute men would be waiting. Was it unfair? no just different tactics.
Is this way unfair? No just different and far more deadly tactics.
We care that makes the difference and the day we stop caring I will become rather concenred.
Well written and you have my applaud.
Susan
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Wanting people who commit atrocities to die is not the same as blind hatred. We're not fighting them to gain "power, wealth or land". We're fighting them because they declared war on us. Please let me know how you think we should deal with terrorists who rejoice in sawing people's heads off. I'd really like to hear that.
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This was a poem with POWER HATE in it.yes,I do agreed that it
was a creation from a writers mind,or even if it's something ah
personal.still I believe that Hate has never won any wars it has always destory the human race.I'm not saying that what the
American are doing or what the Saudi did is okay.as they say that [everything is fair in love and war]all I know that in the
end,to gain power,wealth,land,we lose innocents bloods in return.Frankly speaking if I applaud your poem,it would be ano-ther boost to hate.But I'm sure there mine be another's like me
who after going through your work will get to what Hate gives
them. -
BK,
Despite my strong desire to see terrorists strung up by their left balls, I'm in the latter category, too. Your entire comment was dead on. -
I think what LaBelle meant was, everyone hates some aspect of the war. Some people hate that our soldiers are being killed in Iraq. Others hate that insurgents are trying to keep the new Iraqi government from taking power and functioning on its own. And still others hate that it's been dragged out and that we still haven't caught bin Laden yet. Everyone hates something about war; some people hate the war simply because it happened. They may not oppose what's going on, but find it disheartening that human nature, with all its cruelty, darkness, and anger, eventually led to the current conflict; not just on the American side, but all sides, including Hussein's. I suppose I fit into the latter category more than anything else.
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LaBelle,
What makes you think I hate the war in Iraq? I love the fact that Hussein's maniac sons are dead and Hussein is rotting in a prison cell. I also like hearing about terrorists getting their heads blown off. They deserve it. They're the wannabe Nazi's of our age and the scum of the earth. -
I loved the irony in this. It's so... real. Great, I mean it's not the style I read usually but it's so ironically true. Sad, but true.
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I don't know why I clicked on this. I knew, it being in the Society category it would be political and possibly controversial. I hate controversial poems and politics lol, mostly because they're either attacking the War on Iraq or Christians. *sigh* This is nothing new. Everyone hates the war on Iraq. It's old news.
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Well I have to say this is really good.the whole Koran thing...I saw a report on tv showing a christain church down in the south saying the Koran should be flushed b/c they dont believe in christ...now that is really fucked up everything else is true so great job
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Qur'an is the true spelling.
-Vasquine. -
You're right, we should've let Hussein and his sons continue ruling the country and murdering their own people.
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Although I agree with your assessments of now.We should not have gone!Nothing but the same greed that made them our enemies
is what took us there.Sorry if this hurts anyone.But thats the truth.~~Suseann -
ohhhhhhh! ohhhhhhh! I won't touch this with a ten foot pole. Hmm.. yes I will. Only to say, that our country is the best place to live. That is evident by the millions of people who are actually willing to risk their lives to get here. We are the most patriotic. You see, people don't have a problem with our country, or the people that live in it. They have a problem with the government that is running it. Every one that will comment will have an opionion, thoughts and feelings. And not one of them is wrong. Because, we fight for the freedom to say it. I may not agree with you, nor you I. But I will fight, I will stand behind you 100% for the right to say it.
You my dear sir, already know how I feel.. so I won't belabor your point. You came across with your thoughts and feelings passionately. Your style and form are perfect. Your undertones were between the lines. Your heart was right on them. Great job! You cast the line, I'm curious to see what you reel in.
~Michelle~
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Frozen-Tears,
Please thank your husband for me. I hope he returns to you soon, safe and sound.
Mark -
haikumonk,
Roger on the ear muffs. Bring it on!! lol I'm shakin' over here. hahaha
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yeah I agree with robin
gonna cause a controversy
be prepare for that
again a good job here
a theme which no one thinks about (especially an american)
a sensitive issue written in a proper way
keep going
ankita
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wow
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no such thing as over the top. i like it. in fact, i love it
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Albatross,
No, I didn't think you were. Just clarifying the poem a little. Sorry for not being clear.
Mark -
very nicely and deeply written. i completely agree with all of it. this was a very interesting and very thought provoking write. nice job
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Oh jeez, I'm not against Muslims either! I hope I didn't sound like that, I have a few very good Muslim friends! It's just that, unfortunatly, the good ones overseas aren't able to get their point heard as well as the terrorists are, i.e., they don't blow things up and kill people. It's sad, it really is. A lot of Muslim countries are really messed up right now, and if anyone speaks up, they're pretty much obliterated. Nice.
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BlackKnight,
I agree with everything you said. I also think our detainees and POW's should be treated humanely. This was written from an Al-Quaeda terrorist's perspective. I can't help thinking they're laughing at us, and depending on our decency. i.e., using our kindness and desire for justice against us, even if it means punishing our own. But again, you're right. We must hold ourselves to a higher standard. I am definitely not advocating abuse of prisoners.
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This is good. I like it. I'm not sure what to say, as I might catch hell myself, but yes, the Arabs are thankful, I can tell you that much. American votes are like confettie to them. Us. Them. Whatever.
Well done.
"An eye for an eye
a tooth for a tooth
keep terrorizing our name
and your sons will be slain" -
Albatross,
Thanks, but I should make it very clear that I'm not against Muslims in general, just terrorists, Muslim or otherwise. There are a lot of good people in Iraq and throughout the Middle East who want a better life, and who are thankful that we are there trying to help them achieve it. I will always remember the Iraqi man who risked his life to vote and said, "God created America to bring freedom to people like me." People have said similar things to me during my travels, like an English woman who told me, with tears in her eyes, "Do you know what I love about you Americans? You see something wrong and you go and try to help, even though nobody comes to help you when you have a problem." I'm proud that my country has that kind of reputation, and when this mess finally plays out and the bad guys lose (again), that reputation will be strengthened.
The terrorists we are fighting can't allow us to win because if the new government in Iraq is allowed to function, they know they will be punished for the atrocities they committed under Hussein. There's a civil war going on in the Middle East between the progressive Muslims and the old school Muslims who want to cling to the old, oppressive ways. We're just caught in the middle of it.
Thanks,
Mark -
The horrible but sad truths
and a fear I live with every day
my husband is in iraq
such a powerful write of War.
Tars -
I couldn't help but notice the incredibly sarcastic feel this piece has to it, though I've no doubts that this was intended.
Personally, I've lately been thinking that, no matter what wrongs may have been committed, everyone deserves to be treated and respected as a human being; not animals or anything considered less than a human. When you have someone in custody, and they're perfectly defenseless, that gives the captor no right whatsoever to treat that prisoner with disrespect and with malice. For this reason, not only do I look down on those of Al Queda or any other Middle Eastern militant group that takes prisoners and kills them, but I also look down on Americans or our allies that capture enemy combatants and treat them horribly. To earn respect, one must treat everyone else with respect, no matter how horribly the captor hates the captive person. At the least, let the person have his or her day in court first, and even if they're found guilty, treat him or her with respect anyway. It's a principle that Christ taught and lately, I've really been trying to abide by that, though I understand that, for many, it's often very difficult to do.
I'm not against the war on terrorism; I support the actions of our troops against Al Queda as they attempt to destroy it and find bin Laden. I just wish people could treat each other with respect so there wouldn't be any fighting like there is today (or throughout history, really), but let's face it, the way things are going, that'll never happen. A bit saddening, I think. The human race is doomed to eventually destroy itself, no matter what it tries to do to correct its path; some day, it may be too late to do anything about it, if anything is done at all. -
Bloody 'ell Mark, this is rather strong isn't it?
Having said that, like many people here in the UK, I am very much against the war in Iraq, which was foisted upon us by a lying Government.
However, I think the message you send is a bit over the top.
But, it's going to cause a lot of controversy, and I like that.
Well done.
Robin. -
oh geeeeezus..... you're gonna catch a bunch of liberal whoop-arse for this one Mark.... put your ear muffs on and get ready!
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Very true!
As horrible as this sounds, it's unfortunatly true. It's nice to know there's someone else out there who sees this side of the story, not just the side which says that the Iraqis or whoever are just poor, innocent Muslims, and that all we're doing is attacking their faith. Truth is, they're as much to blame as we are. Thanks for writing!!!
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