Response To Tammy Hall

Submitted by Mike Ramirez (United States), Jun 30, 2003 at 17:19

I join the many Americans who grieve with you in the loss of your brother, Major Gregory Stone. The answers you seek, Tammy, are complex in any attempt to expain why someone would do such a tragic thing. All we know is that there are a combination of many unknown facets that cause people to plan and carry out inhumane acts against a fellow human being.

In the case of the soldier in question who killed your brother with a grenade, please refer to my post within this thread, dated March 28, 2003.

The motivating factors have been described in the media in various ways, but the single most connecting factor is nothing else than the soldier's personal belief that he was carrying out his own "duty" for the cause of his religion, Islam. This is the same belief that was held by the terrorists in the 9-11 airline hijackings and the same belief that continues to threaten Europe and western world.

A study of the Qur'an and the Islamic Ahadith (sayings of Muhammad) reveals that Muslims are taught to carry out every effort to convert the world to Islam; to defend their religion with their lives; and to stop anyone who threatens Islam in anyway.

There may be other factors involved as to why the soldier could not comprehend that his would be an act of murder as well as treason against America, but the same force that caused him to take your brother's life is the same force that motivates those who feel they are doing something for a true and rightful cause. That motivating factor can go as far as to throw out all senses of morality and human decency, as in this case, and it is the most dangerous factor that we are faced with at this point in history.

My prayers are with you as well as the friends and family of your brother.

Cordially,

Mike Ramirez

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