Faith

Military Investigation Recommends Koran-Burning Soldiers Receive Light Punishments — But Should They?

(The Blaze/AP) — It’s been months since U.S. soldiers inadvertently burned Korans at a U.S. base in Afghanistan. But while the story is no longer front-page news, it is far from settled. Last month, Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri urged Muslims to take revenge for the February burning of Koran, posting his thoughts on a militant web site.

Now, one month later, The Associated Press is reporting that a U.S. military investigation is recommending that as many as seven U.S. troops face administrative punishments, but not criminal charges, over the international incident.

U.S. military officials said the classified report and recommendations for disciplinary action against the service members involved were delivered to the Pentagon more than a week ago. They have been turned over to the Army and Navy secretaries. No final decisions have been made.

Iran’s Press TV reports:

According to the officials, one Navy service member and as many as six Army soldiers could face nonjudicial disciplinary actions, which can range from a letter in their file to docking their pay or assigning them additional duties.

The lack of any criminal charges is in line with early assertions from military officials that the incident, while regrettable, was a mistake. But it is likely to anger Afghans who were enraged by the burning. Reuters has more regarding the response that has come from some in Afghanistan:

The office of Afghan President Hamid Karzai declined to comment on the possible move by the Pentagon.

Nazir Ahmad Hanafi, an influential member of Afghanistan’s parliament and deputy head of its judicial committee, said relatively light punishment for the soldiers involved would have “dangerous consequences.”

Hanafi, a member of Afghanistan’s Ulema Council of clerics who also took part in an initial joint Afghan-U.S. probe into the incident, said he favored a more severe punishment, possibly even life in prison.

“Otherwise, it will inflame public opinion,” he said.

Thousands took to the streets across the country in deadly riots after it happened. More than 30 people were killed in the clashes, including two U.S. troops who were shot by an Afghan soldier and two U.S. military advisers who were gunned down at their desks at the Interior Ministry.

Military May Give Koran Burning Soldiers Administrative Punishments

The Korans and other Islamic books were taken from the Parwan Detention Facility, and officials believed that extremists being detained there were using the texts to exchange messages. The religious books and other materials were put in burn bags and then later thrown into a fire pit used to burn garbage at Bagram Air Field, a major U.S. base north of Kabul.

Military officials said the investigating officer in Afghanistan completed the report and recommended the disciplinary actions. The report was approved by Marine Gen. John Allen, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, and forwarded to Pentagon.

U.S. military officials spoke about the report on condition of anonymity because the matter is classified and still under review.

Altogether, two Navy and nine Army service members in Afghanistan were sent back to the United States in conjunction with the Koran burning shortly after it happened. But, based on the investigating officer’s report, several would not face any punishments.

U.S. officials have said that the service members did not know what they were throwing into the burn pit and that the books were pulled out by Afghan workers before they were destroyed. President Barack Obama apologized to Afghan President Hamid Karzai for the incident.

Afghan officials, however, have claimed the burning was intentional, and it reinforced perceptions in the country that Americans are insensitive to the Afghans’ religion and culture.

A preliminary joint investigation into the matter — done by senior U.S. and Afghan military officials — concluded in early March that while mistakes were made in the burnings, there was no intent to desecrate the Korans or other religious materials.

But it has taken until now for the military to deliver the report and recommended punishments to senior Pentagon leaders for final action.

Typically, the service secretaries review the recommendations, then designate a military commander to take the appropriate action. It could take weeks for the process to unfold and for any final decisions to be made. The military usually does not publicly disclose details of administrative punishments.

Military officials said the Army soldiers are now at Fort Benning, Ga.

What do you think? Do the soldiers deserve light punishment? Take our poll, below:


Comments (116)

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  • papatom48
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:41pm

    ok, first of all, now they say that the korans werepulled out before they burned. Then lets review how the muslims get rid of korans that are damaged, old, etc. Yes folks that’s right, they burn them. So now we are expected to believe that it’s only ok if they do it. These radical fundamentalist muslims will use any excuse, made up or real to riot, pillage and kill. They are animals and should be annihilated.

    Report Post »  
    • rickc34
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 11:05pm

      Our military personal have been punished enough bring them home Obama….you keep making our troops out to be the bad guys you are the worst president that the United States has ever had behind Carter and Clinton. America has weaklings in the White House that refuse to stand up for our country they are traitors and cowards and deserve no respect.

      Report Post »  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 11:37pm

      Rick,
      I share your feelings, but aren’t we forgetting something? What are we going to do about the Pakistan’s nukes?

      The only way we will find out what is really happening in Pakistan is through leaks. Obama always tries to cover up everything he is doing to weaken us.
      http://www.truthdig.com/report/page2/wikileaks_exposes_the_danger_of_pakistans_nukes_20110113/

      Report Post »  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:14am

      Tell Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri to stuff it where
      the sun don’t shine, give him Karzia and bring our Troops
      Home.. after we leave, send al-Zawahri a Hellfire as a
      good by present…Get out of O’Blamers Good War !!!!!!!!
      I can see why our enemy see us as weak, that’s thanks
      to this Administration, O’Blamer, Palosi, Holder and Reid..

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:29am

      Gawd Damn right, send them all in front of the Man..
      tell them all they have an Hour to pack their Shi**
      and Fly them to Hawaii for Two Weeks of R and R..
      OORAH, Semper Fi..SOPPORT OUR TROOPS !!
      We need to bring our Country together again, What
      We have NOW is total BULLSHI** !!
      ROMNEY – RICE…2012

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
    • johnpaulkuchtajr
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:58am

      I prefer to take my lessons from General “Black Jack” Pershing when it comes to dealing with radical Islam.

      Pershing was told to rid the Phillipines of Islamic rebels who were raiding villages and wacking lots of folks. After one battle where Pershing’s men killed a number of rebels, Pershing ordered the rebels buried with pigs in a mass grave. That act put the rebels down for decades and saved untold number of lives.

      I don‘t think that I’m alone in feeling like we have to radically change course; however, our military is so eaten-up with this PC method of fighting that I suspect we’ll invite the Chinese for real, down-home Bar-b-q before we lock horns with them?.

      Report Post »  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 4:46am

      So we’re supposed to appease some Muslims in Afghanistan by punishing our own who were following orders concerning Korans being used to pass messages among extremists… right. They were using the Korans just like they use “human shields”– (something the enemy would not dare destroy). How utterly humiliating to bend to these people’s extremist demands.

      But the books should not have been destroyed. They need to be read. This book is shaping the warring world and its content and history are consciously excluded from our schools. They have succeeded in presenting a political system as purely religion. The truth about the Koran and its history is the only way out of this mess.

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
    • lukerw
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 6:52am

      if… You believe that the Koran… deserves Special Handling, because it is a Holy Book… then YOU are a MUSLIM!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • HowardSternIsABigot
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 7:16am

      This is tyranny at its worst. Innocents carry out orders of superiors, superiors gladly punish subordinates to placate the other slaves. AMERICA IS ABOUT INDSIVIDUAL JUSTICE< NOT STATE PROTECTION. Especially illegal overseas wars. Ventura was right on, save the troops , bring them home.

      Report Post »  
    • old white guy
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 7:47am

      the world would be a better place if all korans were burnt and all islam teaching outlawed.

      Report Post »  
    • Wolf
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 7:51am

      Kryptonite asks, “…What are we going to do about the Pakistan’s nukes? …”
      Why do we have to ‘do’ anything about them? Or anyone else’s? If we hadn’t been such an ass of a country and minded our own business, we wouldn’t be in this current predicament. Too late to start over, but it’s not too late to mind our own damn business.

      Report Post »  
    • Izzy2626
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 8:18am

      JohnPaul

      Just spread the word that all US bullets are coated with pigs blood =)

      Report Post »  
  • coldnorth
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:38pm

    The Mil burns everything in the AOR. So much so, that troops are coming back with respitory problems. The smell of a campfire will forever remind me of that craphole.

    They burn the stuff so it can not be pulled out of a landfill and used by the enemy.

    Report Post »  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:36pm

    There should be no punishment at all – destroying enemy propaganda is part of fighting a war – these soldiers were doing their jobs.

    If we are to survive as a nation – obama must be removed from power.

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
    • Gregg Weber
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 11:13pm

      They should have treated the Koran with the respect it deserves. (That might be with more respect than how a Bible is treated by one of those complainers.) Some say that the Korans had been treated with appropriate care but that isn’t my point.
      They should have done it without recording it other than a note that “they were properly disposed of” after “properly” doing so using the example of how the complainers “properly” dispose of Bibles.

      Report Post » Gregg Weber  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:25am

      “They should have treated the Koran with the respect it deserves” Toss it in the bottom of a Port-A-John.

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • Link8on
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:48am

      I think our troops should employ the light weight korans as token shielding armor.

      Our vehicles should carry token korans glued to the outer frame .

      Thus
      Whatever enemy shoots at and hit our troops/equipment, they risk descrating the “holy kuran”.
      Then we and our allies can broadcast the heinous desecration they did to sway the popular support away from those evil murderers.

      Report Post » Link8on  
  • OpenCarry
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:34pm

    Screw Islam — a crock of ****

    Report Post » OpenCarry  
  • OpenCarry
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:33pm

    The Koran is **** — it is garbage — Mohammed was a pedofile — he was trash — he is still is trash –go to hell if you do not like this — moslums go to hell — if you do not like it go to hell…

    Report Post » OpenCarry  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 5:19am

      Hey! ARMY investigating officials!
      Read OPENCARRY’s comments above.
      Forcing our military to bow down to Muslim extremist sentiment is causing extreme anger on our side.
      This isn’t a PR game.
      Whom do you serve?

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
    • SquidVetOhio
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 8:38am

      So how do you really feel? lol

      Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
  • Texan Man
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:32pm

    Are you effing kidding me? Punishment? You are fighting for the right of others to put a crucifix in a cup of urine and burn all the religious books within their grasps, and yet they are to be punished for an inadvertent act? C’mon MAN!!!

    Report Post »  
  • COLKURTZ
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:30pm

    I think they should come to my place and have a BBQ.I will make them pay.Did I mention vinegar coleslaw and home brew beer.

    Report Post »  
    • LeQuoix
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:45pm

      Lets roast a pig and instead of mesquite we can use Quoran…….”

      “welcome to LeQuoix’s Famous Quoran BBQ pork………. and free dinner amd beer for American Service personal.”

      Report Post » LeQuoix  
  • cosmic dogma
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:26pm

    No punishment. It is a book. Since when has it been punishable to burn books? Burning is too good. Should have been put in the latrines for TP. That would have been a more appropriate usage .

    Report Post »  
  • holy ghostbuster
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:25pm

    They should get a medal for initiative.

    Report Post » holy ghostbuster  
  • dealer@678
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:25pm

    Screw islam. Screw em all

    Report Post »  
    • COLKURTZ
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:32pm

      Drop the bomb exterminate them all.All glory be to God.

      Report Post »  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:22pm

    As a 20-year veteran, there should be absolutely no punishment – unless it was to never ever be sent to Afganistan or Iraq, or any country within 2000 miles of either for the remainder of their career. Those blundering idiots in those countries with their silly religion do not deserve our presence any longer. The books were already damaged according to their own religion. The investigators should be ashamed of themselves. They are probably part of the political correct crowd.

    Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report Post »  
    • JGraham III
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:38pm

      First: thank you for your service! Secondly; I love the scripture reference (hint..it prophesies about the original “Judas”…) and lastly, my opinion is that these soldiers should be commended for following orders, as I understand the original story. I would have were it my opportunity to do so, annointed the korans with a bit of sacred bacon fat and given them back to the Afgani-loons and politely asked them to do with them as they would…

      Report Post »  
  • Philogical
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:16pm

    Knowing soldiers as I do, these young men would not have burnt anything unless they were told to do it. Who were the officers that ordered this action and who were the religious leaders that told them it was okay to burn the Korans in question. It is my understanding that the Korans had been written in by prisoners and it is a major sin against Islam to write in any Koran, because it is the holy of holies and nothing can be added or taken away from the divine word of Allah as it is written in the Koran. It is written that any and all Korans that have been defiled in this way, (having words written them), must be disposed of in a manor proscribed by the religious leaders and the U.S. Military leadership was told that they must be burned. The problem here is that someone miscued on who was to do the burning. Mistakes are made when people from two very different societies and cultures mingle, especially when one is as religiously intolerant as those living under the iron hand of Islam. To say that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance is to state a gross inexactitude and give credence to the lie by saying that we can trust them to be fair to a Christian.

    Report Post » Philogical  
  • JUSTANOTHEROPINION
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:12pm

    Doesn’t the fact that no matter what happens all these heathens ever want to do is kill somebody as a so called punishment? Their nothing but a bunch of blood thirsty murderers, and these immoral people are who we are asking our soldiers to die for? Really? Get our people out of there. There is no reason to lose one more brave soldier. Just use the damn drones on them. Kill enough of the rats and they will leave us alone. Stop worrying about offending these ingrates. They want us dead no matter what. So the chicken livered apolegetic US President needs to grow a sack.

    Report Post »  
    • MetalPatriot
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:40pm

      Correct on all points.

      We’re supposed to love, but admittedly, I hate their religion. What if Christians starteds spouting, “Kill the Islamist infidels” or “Death to Islam & it’s believers”? WWIII

      We lost our God and now the caliphate is inflicting theirs upon us.

      I seriously can’t comprehend how/why they get so worked up when a paper book gets defaced or destroyed. The object is NOT God. Damn, they ARE stupid. I would be saddened if a church or bible was defaced/destroyed but certainly would have no feeling of murdering the person that did it or any punishment for that matter.

      1st Ammendment is a great thing….here…for now…sort of.

      Report Post » MetalPatriot  
  • Gizzy
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:06pm

    Give it a week and hugobama or one of his minions will have released the names of the troops involved who were probably just following their orders! Afghanistan does not deserve to have any U.S. aid or military assistance and we should vacate all Americans immediately!

    Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:06pm

    Nazer Ahmad Hanafi says that the light punishmentwould have “dangerous consequences.”

    What this means is that the Muslims will murder more American soldiers. If we had a real American in the Oval Office, one who loves America and took his role as CinC of the Armed Forces seriously he would tell The Afgans that they riot and kill more Americans at their peril.

    But we have Obama.

    Report Post »  
  • ltdan
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:03pm

    A preliminary joint investigation into the matter — done by senior U.S. and Afghan military officials — concluded in early March that while mistakes were made in the burnings, there was no intent to desecrate the Korans or other religious materials.

    There was no intent, no malice. It was a misunderstanding, a mistake, of a religious practice in a foreign hostile country. The only punishment these solders should be receiving is some extra training on Islam the religion of peace, the religion that has vowed to behead all infidels, especially our young men and women in uniform.

    Report Post »  
  • TLS
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:00pm

    I think the Quran with a little Hickory makes great Bar B Q.

    Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:58pm

    These men should not be punished at all for the burning of that vile book. They did not do it purposely but that does not matter to the Muslims. Obama bowed and scraped for the Muslims with abject apology and that should have been it.

    To Hell with the Muslims. LEAVE OUR SOLDIERS ALONE and get them out of the hellhole called Afganistan.

    Report Post »  
    • nattybrooks
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:11pm

      please do not debase islam until u have read the koran. do not degrade what u have not read its the same as other religions moses and all but taken to the extreme by uneducated sociopathic starving children

      Report Post » nattybrooks  
    • Central washington
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:43pm

      You are correct, these ******* follow the god of this world and they reject the only True God and Redeemer who is Christ. ****** defenders are spiritually blind and they can’t see the real Truth until they are convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit. ******* will in the last days intensify their hatred more and more until Christ returns.

      Report Post »  
  • Individualism
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:57pm

    they shouldn’t be punished just banned from the country, its when they kill innocent civilians like in the Bradley manning leaked video where they should get tough punishment like Nuremberg.

    Report Post » Individualism  
    • inblack
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:26am

      @INDIVIDUALISM

      Yeah brilliant stuff there. We send our soldiers to some **** hole to help people that hate us and you try to make out the soldiers as the bad guys. What a jerk.

      Maybe you should be tried for murder. After all, this is a country of the people, by the people. You are a citizen and your govt sent our soldiers there. So you INDIVIDUALISM should be put to death for those killings. And you should be held accountable for any other problems including koran burning.

      I’m sick of cowards who let our soldiers be sent to foreign countries under the command of our govt, and then wash their hands of the consequences and sell our soldiers down the river.

      Disgusting.

      Report Post »  
    • AUsername
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:20pm

      actually i want either Ron Paul or Gary Johnson someone who can take them out of these wars that have nothing to do with the defense of our country and only fight for defense, but neo cons want war against Islam and want the troops to carry out for them because of pro Israeli and pro Saudi donors giving to their party.

      Report Post » AUsername  
  • bankerpapaw
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:57pm

    It’s a piece of trash – - Burn it!!

    Report Post »  
  • nattybrooks
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:56pm

    the ucmj is a difficult beast and i would gladly change places with these soldiers. a soldier must do what he/she is ordered. these orders came from above and these honourable soldiers did their duty. why for f’s sake hasnt one officer stepped forward. all the way to the commendant i feel disgrace! these ”superior” officers have shamed the fighting enlisted and disgraced and dishonoured themselves and the uniform by not standing up for their subordinates.

    Report Post » nattybrooks  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:54pm

    The punishment should be,they are not allowed to burn any more Korans for a month.

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:01pm

      Some parents always over-react … a week ;-)

      Report Post »  
  • vanman4446
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:48pm

    Hell No. That religion is nothing but a cult. Our boys are dying over in that hell hole and they want to prosecute them. Bull

    Report Post »  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:48pm

    This is moot quite frankly. Divine judgement is currently upon us all.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:46pm

    Zero punishment. Anything else is unjustifiable.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
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