As if we didn’t need more friction between us and the Islamic world the AP is reporting that an American soldier used the Quran for target practice. Not only did this individual mutilate it this way but this person decided to fill the inside cover with graffiti. I know it is the actions of only one soldier and does not reflect the views of our military as a whole nor the American people, but these people are very sensitive to acts like this. We would get the same sense of outrage if it was the Bible that was mutilated in this way. We would have Christians from across the country upset and it is the same in the Muslim world that encompasses Iraq. The soldier has been transfered out of Iraq and punished. We don’t know how and it really makes little difference. What was done was an individual but had Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond going before tribal leaders and apologizing, saying “I come before you here seeking your forgiveness, In the most humble manner I look in your eyes today and I say please forgive me and my soldiers.” Hopefully this will appease them. We are dealing with a group where if you step on ones toe everyone hollers. We need all the allies we can get in Iraq and can not afford to alienate anyone against us. Hopefully our commanders on the ground emphasize this to our troops. I am in no way denigrating them. I am a veteran and hold our military in the highest esteem. They have a very tough job to do and do not need anyone to give their enemies fodder for the fire.