I, for one, plan to riot

In the news:

Bibles burned

In all seriousness, let me run a check list of where the military got it right.

1. Doesn't allow troops to proselytize? Check.
2. Confiscated the Bible sent for that reason? Check.
3. Emphasizes force protection? Check.
4. Cultural awareness of local religious sensibilities and the possible implications of upsetting them? Check.
5. Burns contraband, IE the Bibles, in order to keep said church from possibly sending them back through another route? FAIL.

This was a case of good theory but bad practice. The military was in really good facility and control of everything that was under their scope of responsibility. I mean that. Where they screwed up was in trying to play "counter intelligence" with what a church in the US is going to do. Honestly, that isn't their job. That's the job of the State Department.

The second factor is that they weren't handling just "contraband." It was a religious text of a major world religion. They need to recall the whole Koran/toilet flap. It's no different.

Personally, I'm not angry and I understand how it happened. I also understand the military's reasoning of why they don't want troops passing out Bibles. However, I will admit, the way they handled the Bibless in question is, in fact, embarrassing. Seriously, I know our Armed Forces are better than that. This was an unforced error and an apology should be made.

For me, however, none is needed. You guys have enough stress, just stay safe.