You really missed the point.

I think a big deal is being made of it. This isn't something new, its been like this for many years.

I'm more interested in other issues - this doesn't even make it onto the list of real concerns I have.

You need to realize that this isn't about what any American thinks. It is about what Muslims in countries like Iraq or Afghanistan think. Every since the "war on terror" began, the United States has worked to differentiate it from a "war against Islam" for very obvious reason.

Who cares if someone gets offended? What if that offended person decides that they will join a terrorist group to defend their religion? What if that offended person will refuse to help US forces because they feel the US is attacking their religion?

Once again, this is about image. In Afghanistan, we are working extremely hard to establish and maintain good relations with the local population, but if they feel that our presence there is religious based, all of that will be ruined. The passages were taken off were a reason. And that reason is that those hurt US forces establish and maintain strategic relations with the Islamic population.

They should be more concerned about why the crosshairs are on them rather than what is etched into the scope.

The entire Islamic population? The entire point of taking off the passages off is to tell the majority of the Islamic population that the cross hairs aren't on them.

The actual passages is a non-issue. But since the story blew up, the US military need to cover their asses. That's what they did.

Petraeus got it.

The Cellar generals still dont get it.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/jesus-...ory?id=9618791

Didn't i already say that?

Could be -- I just wanted to say it too. "In my own inimitable... idiom."

Same here, I've mentioned before it's annoying.

I agree.

It is not just about covering their asses.

It is also a recognition of perceptions...and as was also noted by piercehawkeye...about how it might be perceived by Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan...and understanding the need to be a bit sensitive to those perceptions.

Trying to picture General Petraeus in panties.

Speaking of perceptions, Mike Yon mentioned in Iraq the locals thought we would never leave because some outfits built, or moved into existing, buildings.
In Afghanistan, the locals feel we're not going to stay, and protect them from the Taliban, because we're living in tents and not building structures.
The local commanders have to be aware of these perceptions, they can win or lose the war.

Yes. Verse 2.

Scoping her out, was he?