Desecration

This week a single paragraph in an Al Jazeera story reported that Christian hostages, before being beheaded, were forced to watch the Bible being flushed down a toilet. Outraged at the desecration, angry Christians throughout the world errupted in violence which claimed at least nine lives. Said one, "The Holy Bible was defiled by the dirtiest of hands, by Arab hands."

Muslim leaders responded by stating, “During the past few days, we have heard from our Christian friends around the world about their concerns on this matter. We understand and we share their concerns."

“Sadly, some people have lost their lives in violent demonstrations. We are asking that all our friends around the world reject incitement to violence by those who would mischaracterise our intentions.”

The Christian Council of Britain said that Arab leaders had to “take responsibility for the anti- Christian climate they have been fostering through their actions."

At least that's the way I think I read the story. Maybe I got some of the details wrong.

When I first heard about this I had two thoughts, not necessarily in this order: Should I ever be unfortunate enough to be held captive by some of these eighth-century barbarians, I hope the worst torture I have to endure is watching them mistreat a book. And only Newsweek (OK, or probably CBS) could believe that a nice, fat book could be flushed down the kind of toilet Congress has left us with - the kind you have to flush twice just to dispose of a little toilet paper.

UPDATE

Now Newsweek is pulling an Emily Litella. Gosh, sorry all you victims of Muslim violence. Maybe the Koran didn't get flushed after all.

Newsweek reported that Pentagon spokesman Lawrence DiRita reacted angrily when the magazine asked about the source's continued assertion that he had read about the Koran incident in an investigative report. "People are dead because of what this son of a bitch said. How could he be credible now?" DiRita told Newsweek.

How indeed.