5/4/09: The HuffPost-alJazeera alliance: Fomenting (and approving) anti-U.S. military, anti-Christian propaganda, hate and libels

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This is another instance in which HuffPost posted a false/misleading splash front-page headline --- this time, sourced from notoriously jihadist-friendly and -whitewashing "news" source (see another, more recent example, here).

In this case, HuffPost's headline clearly insinuated that the U.S. military was giving Christian bibles to our soldiers, and that they were then ordered to proselytize to Afghanistanis.

As in so many other instances like this, many of the radical leftists that HuffPost attracts, enables and protects didn't bother to read the article or follow the links, or do any additional research. They just submitted incredibly hateful "comments" against Christianity, the U.S. military, and America, which HuffPost reviewed, approved and published, even though many were egregious violations of its (supposed) Comment Policy and Terms of Service.

Also, see important Addendum items.

* * *

To know HuffPost is to know that almost invariably, whenever the U.S. military is featured in a top-of-the-front-page splash headline, or anywhere near that level of prominence, it is in one of three capacities:

• When one or more of its members are accused of committing atrocities or mistakes
  
  
• When one or more of its members are victims of bloodshed, or some other tragedy
  
  
• When they are used as political propaganda

In three years of observation, we don't recall more than one instance* at HuffPost in which the heroism of American soldiers was depicted in a prominent story, or a soldier receiving an award for going above and beyond the call of duty.

(*The exception being the sporadic references to Marcus Luttrell, author of Lone Survivor --- but as you can see by following these links, none were top-line news stories, and only a few garnered even a handful of user comments. This is indicative of how far away from the primary sections these items were placed; even off-beat gossip and news articles often get hundreds of comments.)

For an example of what a real tribute thread looks like, see the "Someone You Should Know" feature at BlackFive.

But now, it's come to this:

On May 4, 2009, HuffPost built one of its front-page splash headline stories around a "news" feature sourced from al-Jazeera...

...the jihadist-friendly "news" network that threw a party for the terrorist who murdered a 4-year-old girl's father in front of her --- then crushed her skull with the butt of his rifle.

Perhaps this shouldn't come as that much of a surprise, being that al-Jazeera became a top-line (above-the-HP-logo) advertiser at HuffPost in late 2008.

And as is documented in Section 4.3, here, an estimated 135,000 of HuffPost's monthly visitors reside in the two nations that are the world's leading fermenters and exporters of Islamist terror: Iran and Pakistan.

The HuffPost story is located here:
-

Soldiers In Afghanistan Given Bibles,
-
Told To "Hunt People For Jesus" (VIDEO)

Unfortunately, we weren't able to obtain a screen capture of HuffPost's front page on May 4, 2009 --- but we saw it. And anyone who knows HuffPost, and the users that it attracts, enables and protects, could predict what was about to happen.

The splash headline text and picture insinuated that the U.S. military gave bibles to our Afghanistan-based soldiers, and ordered them to proselytize for Christianity. The accompanying photograph was a still from the al-Jazeera video footage, which it had run the previous evening on its network.

Aside from the fact that HuffPost apparently has no problem relying on terrorist-celebrating "news" networks for its source material, there are a just a few little problems with the perception that this inflammatory headline insinuated (some of which were included in the article, others that developed over the next few days):

• No bibles were distributed to Afghans --- and none of our soldiers proselytized in Afghanistan
  
  
• The bibles in question were sent by a single U.S. church to a single soldier in Afghanistan --- they were not provided by the U.S. military
  
  
• The U.S. military intervened before any proselytizing could happen; proselytizing is strictly against our military policy, which was enforced to the letter
  
  
• The story created new, incendiary misperceptions as to what our military is actually doing in Afghanistan, while downplaying or ignoring how vigilant it actually is to not offend local sensitivities (leaving alone the fact that the Taliban, rooted in and supported by many Afghans actually forces others to convert to Islam)
  
  
• The story is more than a year old (acknowledged deep in the article --- which many of HuffPost's raging leftists obviously did not read --- a pattern that HuffPost is, or should be well aware of, by now)

UPDATE: All of the above was confirmed in a follow-up article several days later at... al-Jazeera. Furthermore, the story details how some soldiers who considered distributing these bibles to Afghanistanis have been reprimanded. Thus far, HuffPost has not published this information... which would be sort of difficult anyway, being that it doesn't have a "Corrections" feature, as (responsible) print newspapers do.

Given all the above, what was the pressing newsworthiness of this story that merited front-page, "above-the-fold," inflammatory treatment? How does this conform to HuffPost's stated "journalistic" missions --- or journalistic standards of any kind? And what exactly did HuffPost expect would occur, given the legions of raging, hate-filled leftists that it has attracted and enabled?

More on this non-story, and how al-Jazeera succeeded in whipping up this kind of leftist hatred, is at the intrepid Sweetness & Light.

So, what kinds of user "comments" did HuffPost review, approve and publish --- many of which were grossly in violation of its Comment Policies and Terms of Service?

Here's our "Top Ten":
(In order of appearance... as if HuffPost's crack team of 18 full-time moderators couldn't detect where this was going, while they were reviewing, approving and publishing such "comments"... PDFs available for verification)

jazabelz See Profile I'm a Fan of jazabelz permalink
Just plain sick! Christianity is just a farce.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:06 PM on 05/04/2009

westreal See Profile I'm a Fan of westreal permalink
This is ridiculous. Go there to do your job. Which is to ki_ll people. Not convert them.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:33 PM on 05/04/2009

truthartbeauty See Profile I'm a Fan of truthartbeauty permalink
Well, that is perfectly typical isn't it? hate and kill for jezis! sounds like a routine day to me.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:58 PM on 05/04/2009

X1MCMetal1X See Profile I'm a Fan of X1MCMetal1X permalink
Spreading "democracy" and "Christianity" at the tip of an M-16 ; it's kinda' like trying to spread healthy living while force-feeding someone e.x.c.r.e.m.e.n.t
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:58 PM on 05/04/2009

stargazer13 See Profile I'm a Fan of stargazer13 permalink
I am dismayed and horrified there are no lines sacred to these people just proving where ever the little black book goes death and destruction fallow like clock work l
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:32 PM on 05/04/2009

wedgie See Profile I'm a Fan of wedgie permalink
The religious right has long made it a priority to infiltrate the US military. They want to kill for their beliefs. Abroad and possibly at home as well. God help us all. Jesus would be proud. He's heavily into body counts.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:35 PM on 05/04/2009

DrBurns2 See Profile I'm a Fan of DrBurns2 permalink
I wish I knew which divisions are Chr!stian evangalicals so whey they fight the J!hadies, I can cheer for both of them when they are sh0t de@d!
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:52 PM on 05/04/2009 (reply to above)

Spiritof1982 See Profile I'm a Fan of Spiritof1982 permalink
The only difference is that the jihadis would get a bunch of really hot virgins. The Christians would get Jeffrey Dahmer (Church of Christ), a bunch of KKK grand poobahs, and some child molesting priests.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:43 PM on 05/04/2009

DrBurns2 See Profile I'm a Fan of DrBurns2 permalink
The only good Christian evangalical soldier is a de@d Christiang evangalical soldier! And to all the out there, if you see anyone who is passing the B!ble to your children, I say, take em out! You have my permission.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:13 PM on 05/04/2009

DrBurns2 See Profile I'm a Fan of DrBurns2 permalink
They should be executed
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:01 PM on 05/06/2009

OK, one more... because what would a HuffPost news thread about the Middle East be without rabid Israel- and/or Jew-hatred (in this case, both)?

OldBossNewBoss See Profile I'm a Fan of OldBossNewBoss permalink
it could be worse they could try to convert them all to judaism you know, to help !srael achieve its greater !srael goal. I mean the US fights all its wars for !srael' benefit... might as well recruit for them too.. huh?
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:24 PM on 05/04/2009

And in keeping with precedent, as of May 9, HuffPost had not banned the users who had posted the most egregious policy-violating comments (see end of this thread for verification).

HuffPost has, however, continued its practice of removing the comments from and/or fast-banning dissenting users, whom its most raging leftists complain about and/or threaten to have banned (extensive proof available upon request).


===================

Here are some more user comments, which were also reviewed, approved and published by HuffPost --- as culled from sample PDFs obtained of this thread:
(Again, in order of appearance... PDFs available for verification)

Jerry Pecks See Profile I'm a Fan of Jerry Pecks permalink
These jesus freaks should not have weapons. Get the hell out of our military!!!
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:10 PM on 05/04/2009

Mahi Joe See Profile I'm a Fan of Mahi Joe permalink
Thou Shalt Not Kill (addendum to the Bible)...unless we invoke the name of Je.sus.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:11 PM on 05/04/2009

jdw1981 See Profile I'm a Fan of jdw1981 permalink
I'm embarrassed to have these people representing my country in uniform.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:12 PM on 05/04/2009

Carl Caroli See Profile I'm a Fan of Carl Caroli permalink
This is total BS and needs to be stopped immediately. [Ed.: It never started --- but this is precisely the kind of misperception that HuffPost whips up with its headlines.] Our armed services are not an extension of the the christian right/neocon organizations in this country and this will only increase tensions between Muslims and the US.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:35 PM on 05/04/2009

CptKendrick See Profile I'm a Fan of CptKendrick permalink
Dear God, Please protect me from the people who believe in you.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:37 PM on 05/04/2009

Pagoas See Profile I'm a Fan of Pagoas permalink
Whenever somebody tells me they're a Christian, I have to fight the urge to back away slowly out the door and run away.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:37 PM on 05/04/2009

(reply to above)
MizLiz See Profile I'm a Fan of MizLiz permalink
You're not the only one.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:41 PM on 05/04/2009

jbrantow See Profile I'm a Fan of jbrantow permalink
Why do the religious wingnuts always use the phrase "don't shove those values down our throats" against anything they don't agree with....yet the continue to "shove" their beliefs down everyone elses. They are hypocrites who bend the rules (actually break them) and call it OK because their bible says it's ok.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:37 PM on 05/04/2009

PresidentRobertBooth See Profile I'm a Fan of PresidentRobertBooth permalink
The Taliban also try to "share their faith" with the American soldiers.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:56 PM on 05/04/2009

disintaGreatNation See Profile I'm a Fan of disintaGreatNation permalink
Cool! The more Evangelicals we ship to Afghanistan, the fewer we have to deal with here at home. Can we get Scientologists to follow suit?
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:57 PM on 05/04/2009

up420oz See Profile I'm a Fan of up420oz permalink
COURT MARTIAL THEM ALL, as they are in violation of General Order # 1. Why do you think that General Order # 1 includes forcing religion on others? Why is it not futher down the list, like # 7 or 9? ITS RANKED IN ORDER FROM THE WORST TO THE LEAST OFFENCE!!
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:57 PM on 05/04/2009

politicscorner See Profile I'm a Fan of politicscorner permalink
Another example of religion run a muck! If these guys were anti-American Afghani Muslims we would probably call them terrorists.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:59 PM on 05/04/2009

SanDigHuff See Profile I'm a Fan of SanDigHuff permalink
What is the difference between Islamic Extremist and Christian Extremist who use god's name to kill people? This is getting scary.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:24 PM on 05/04/2009

(reply to above)
Barbara Randlett See Profile I'm a Fan of Barbara Randlett permalink
Torture would be to spend over one minute with either type of zealot. This is embarrassing! MORE, it is SCARY!!!
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:48 PM on 05/04/2009

levelshot See Profile I'm a Fan of levelshot permalink
While we're worried about and scared of the those who disagree with us abroad we need to be worried about these fundamentalist extremists like the ones in the video who seem to be hell bent on converting everyone to christian and not letting anyone or laws get in their way.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:23 PM on 05/04/2009

maiforpeace See Profile I'm a Fan of maiforpeace permalink
"It is a crime in Afghanistan to attempt to convert anyone from Islam to any other religion. " So a Christian church is basically encouraging their parishioner, who is stationed in Afghanistan, to break the law. Shame on them. They are aiding and abetting criminal activity from the safety of the US, and putting their own parishioner in harm's way?
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:26 PM on 05/04/2009

squander123 See Profile I'm a Fan of squander123 permalink
Al Jazeera is at LEAST as good a network as most of those in the US.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:31 PM on 05/04/2009

OldBossNewBoss See Profile I'm a Fan of OldBossNewBoss permalink
so let's see... the video here is "fake" but the 911 being the work of bin bogeyman fairytale is real... Mmmm....
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:40 PM on 05/04/2009

washlib See Profile I'm a Fan of washlib permalink
well Bu.$h did call it a "crusade", and i'm sure he meant that word in it's archaic sense. When o when will "christians" learn that there are many ways to transcendence and theirs is FAR from the best for all peoples. Each of us has our own connection to the infinite, and no one will force their version down MY throat, especially these good for nothing evangelicals who cant even look outside their narrow blinders to see the beautiful and diverse world out there.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:50 PM on 05/04/2009

KHAAANNN See Profile I'm a Fan of KHAAANNN permalink
A 21st Century version of "Kill a Commie for Christ". Organized, Funded, and controlled by the same people as last time. Fundamentalist Christians. "When Facism comes to America, it will come wrapped in the Flag and carrying a Cross." More prescient words were never spoken. How would the USA feel if a foreign army that forcebly occupied our countryside were being given Korans and being told to "Hunt people for Mohammed."? These Fundamentalist a$$hats will be the death of Democracy.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:51 PM on 05/04/2009

Lavafalls See Profile I'm a Fan of Lavafalls permalink
Christianity is the ultimate "with us or against us" philosophy. If you don't believe in our god you go to heII. The ultimate Against Us.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:51 PM on 05/04/2009

Kuuba See Profile I'm a Fan of Kuuba permalink
There you go, screw EVERYTHING right up, give any Muslim a reason to hate the west. Make it seem like it's a Holy War, lovely...idiots.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:39 PM on 05/04/2009
[Ed.: By running this article, from this source, in this way, with this headline, HuffPost did far more to incite Muslims to hate America than anything our military did, as described in this article.]

OldBossNewBoss See Profile I'm a Fan of OldBossNewBoss permalink
this is what you 'mericans always do... always push your religions... be it this type or any other... i.e. your financial religion (another failed and corrupt model) (let's not forget, America has ripped the whole world off with its subprime and derivatives scams) or your genetically modified monsanto religion (look how you're all obese and hormonally imbalanced) etc... I could go on... so the world has adopted another religion. let's get rid of 'merica.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:39 PM on 05/04/2009

OldBossNewBoss See Profile I'm a Fan of OldBossNewBoss permalink
just because monsanto death and disease merchants manage to push their junk globally DOES NOT mean they are a "global" company... as if the world approves... Germany rejected all their junk, France likewise has a moratorium... we "chose" the dollar? PLEAAAAAASE... gimme Euros or yens or anything else any day, it is you who are trying to keep this reserve currency supremacy so as to have the world finance your excesses. (translation: so you can keep on ripping off the world)
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:52 PM on 05/04/2009

BDuPont See Profile I'm a Fan of BDuPont permalink
Any doubts I had whether the US could succeed, where others have repeatedly failed, were erased after reading this news item. Hearts and minds guys, we need to win hearts and minds ... losing that up front spells doom.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:34 PM on 05/04/2009

haval2 See Profile I'm a Fan of haval2 permalink
Disgusting and vile. Making patriotism analogous to Christian doctrine is horrific and another by product of the Bush years when Church and State lines were blurred beyond recognition. This should be stopped immediately. End the neo con influence and born again strains.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:35 PM on 05/04/2009

MikePatronSaintofTruth See Profile I'm a Fan of MikePatronSaintofTruth permalink
My experience with military people? On average, I find them to be untrustworthy and not too bright. But primarily, they seem so willing to lie. I don't understand that, except that perhaps this is the way military people avoid unpleasant facts? Truths? I've employed long-time military people and have employed Army brats, etc. I'm always disappointed --especially in the lies. Can anyone come up with a reason why this seems to be a common trait?
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:40 PM on 05/04/2009

ObamanextPresident See Profile I'm a Fan of ObamanextPresident permalink
NOW we know why "troops returning from Afghanistan" are in the DHS report on Right Wing Extremism. Heaven (oops) help us.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:59 PM on 05/04/2009

Harmony1812 See Profile I'm a Fan of Harmony1812 permalink
What is wrong with Christianity that we cannot let other people have their own beliefs? It's arrogant and just stupid. They see us as an immoral people so why would they look to our faith for redemption?
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:08 PM on 05/04/2009

DrBurns2 See Profile I'm a Fan of DrBurns2 permalink
From now on, I have to ask if a de@d solder died for our country or for his rel!gion. If he gave his last measure for our country, I would stand and saulute and pay my respect. If he d!ed for his fookedup faith called Christianity, I'd spit on his body and be happy he was taken out!
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:09 PM on 05/04/2009

HC4BO See Profile I'm a Fan of HC4BO permalink
They are essentially "Jihadists" for a different Religion ... Religion is a MAJOR player in the world INSTABILITY ...
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:12 PM on 05/04/2009

DrBurns2 See Profile I'm a Fan of DrBurns2 permalink
These women and men you see in that video are common th!eves. They are taking my tax payer money and using it for THEIR rel!gous proselytizing. I hope, they all d!e a miserable de@th.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:32 PM on 05/04/2009

AgnesBankhead See Profile I'm a Fan of AgnesBankhead permalink
"Yea, my children, for it is truly written. Thou shalt go forth and kill in My holy name."
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:27 AM on 05/05/2009

wsb25 See Profile I'm a Fan of wsb25 permalink
"It is a crime in Afghanistan to attempt to convert anyone from Islam to any other religion" If US soldiers break Afghan law, turn them over to the Afghans for trial and possible punishment.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:02 AM on 05/05/2009

DrBurns2 See Profile I'm a Fan of DrBurns2 permalink
For the sake of full disclosure, All those in the armed force fighting for Jesus should be so identified....this way, when they get blowed up, I can cheer!
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:55 PM on 05/05/2009

Who Knew Too See Profile I'm a Fan of Who Knew Too permalink
How DARE these people attempt to convert people in Afghanistan!?!? This is against the law of the nation in which we are an occupying force. It has NOTHING to do with American ideals, with what the USA believes, it only represents the beliefs of a small number of zealots in the USA. It also makes the war in the Middle East appear as a CRUSADE. For the last few weeks reich-wingers have been saying that to show photos of Americans torturing our prisoners would produce violence against us, well what do they think will happen when these very same fundamentalist Muslims catch wind that Americans are actively trying to convert the faithful Muslims into Christians??? We will see more violence against the USA as a result of these ILLEGAL conversions than what will be produced by a few photos. After all, the Muslims who are most against us, are such strong fundamentalist Muslims, they aren't concerned about a few people being hurt by torture. Remember, these people happily die for their religion, they won't stand for these activities, they should be stopped TODAY!!
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:48 PM on 05/05/2009

enquiringmind See Profile I'm a Fan of enquiringmind permalink
This is an incredibly stupid policy. It is imperialist fo starters and makes any thinking person wonder why religion is being yet again allowed to inflame an already unstable area more than religion has already destabilised it.. The poor people have been screwed by their own government and the billions it has spent on weapons all the while it never had money for schools. Money for pens and pencils...NO money for Bibles or translations.. Who is profiting from this? A US corporation is.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:44 AM on 05/06/2009

portwes See Profile I'm a Fan of portwes permalink
What an irony! We accidentally bomb a village or a school, then the soldiers go visit the maimed children in the hospital and tell his mother they admire her strength and are praying for her and her son. It must be all she can do to keep from attacking him. Must be REALLY impressed with his Jesus now, can hardly wait to "give her heart to Jesus"! (And by the way, you Bush-defenders, all the humanitarian and good things we do there are rather pointless once you've accidentally shelled a village and killed 13 children.)
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:00 AM on 05/06/2009

livesinreality See Profile I'm a Fan of livesinreality permalink
That fairy tale book is no where near knowledge, it only installs ignorance and fear and has never brought peace, only death walks in its wake. I wonder if it was the Westboro Baptist Church that sent them the bibles?
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:27 AM on 05/06/2009

coliwabl See Profile I'm a Fan of coliwabl permalink
Why must the leadership of fools be allowed to do this kind of thing. It is obvious that they choose to ignore the aspects of various cultures. Talk about ways to pick a fight. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:21 PM on 05/06/2009

Behold: The above is the direct result of HuffPost's blazing, misleading headlines, which could have been fashioned by al-Jazeera. Predictably, when exposed to radical leftists who clearly don't read the article, this is the kind of ill-informed hatred and venom that is unleashed, by a website that reviews, approves and publishes all of it.

Close HuffPost observers also know that on those instances when a user launches into a screed such as the above re Muslims, or the Koran, the radical leftists (a) go apoplectic, (b) claim the user is a "racist," and (c) threaten to have him/her banned --- which HuffPost almost invariably does, often within minutes. The following screen shows what the comment archive of a user who's been banned looks like:


Yet when the radical leftists that HuffPost attracts, facilitates and protects launch into hateful screeds and slanders like these against Christianity, the bible, and our military (and some, even wishing for the death/murder of those featured in this al-Jazeera report)... well... it's business as usual.

The screen captures below prove that as of May 9 --- five days after this shameful episode --- HuffPost had still not banned the users who were responsible for the most hateful, policy-violating comments it reviewed, approved and published (see "Top Ten," above):

"DrBurns2," who repeatedly wished for/urged the murder/death of U.S. soldiers, particularly Christians:

And a sampling of other raging leftists, whom HuffPost approved to vent their hatred and slanders against the U.S. military, Christians, etc. (featured above):


As noted earlier, keep in mind that HuffPost permitted these users to continue spewing their hateful comments, while it fast-bans non-violating (non-leftist) users about whom they complain, often within minutes (abundant proof available upon request).

The opening sentences of HuffPost's advertising solicitation link read:

"Reach over 20 Million thought-leaders! The Huffington Post attracts a large, affluent, educated audience of opinion leaders."

At this point, some questions that must be asked are:

• Exactly what, in HuffPost's opinion, constitutes a "thought leader"?
  
  
• And how does it define "opinion leaders"?

Because if this is a sampling of the audience of "thought-opinion leaders" that HuffPost "attracts," and to whom it throws misleading red meat such as this, and from which it approves and publishes such hateful, ill-informed comments against America and our military, in our opinion, it is worth wondering:

Are HuffPost's advertisers aware of all this? Do they really understand who they're paying to reach --- and of the way that HuffPost foments, approves, publishes and even protects this kind of hate-speech?

===========================

ADDENDUM 1: Two hours after the above "article" was posted, HuffPost published a follow-op blog article that added fuel to the fire of misconceptions

The original HuffPost-alJazeera article was published at 2:24pm. [Note: It is unclear why comments from this thread, listed above started at 12:06pm; see JPG, below]. At 4:47pm, HuffPost published a blog article by Kamran Pasha, a self-described Hollywood filmmaker, which was entitled:

Bible and Guns: Why Soldiers Who Proselytize Strengthen Our Enemies

[Note: Similarly, it is unclear why, on Pasha's blogthread, which was posted at 4:47pm, the comments, shown below, start at 4:02pm; see JPG. Could HuffPost be manipulating timestamps?]

You need only consider one paragraph in this blog to get a gist of how far HuffPost was willing to go to add fuel to the fire that it had set, barely two hours earlier:

But faith proffered at the end of a gun is not the same as spirited discourse between equals. American soldiers are in a position of power - lethal power - over the men, women and children in whose countries they are acting. When an armed man seeks to share his beliefs with you, it is not about spreading enlightenment, but about domination and control. To go into other countries with a rifle in one hand and a Bible in the other, can only create fear, resentment and backlash.

If you need to, go back and re-read the original story, then compare it to the headline that HuffPost employed (and, if you trust our account, consider the splash headline HuffPost employed, which was even more incendiary). None of the above occurred. It was stopped before it could start, because it was an egregious violation of U.S. military policy.

What good did HuffPost think could possibly come from its screaming headline --- and the hateful comments that it reviewed, approved and published? You'd have to ask HuffPost about that. Perhaps someone in the U.S. news media --- or one of HuffPost's advertisers --- will do so, one day.

Below are some of the 32 comments that HuffPost reviewed, approved and published on this thread. [Note: HuffPost has never denied that it pre-moderates every comment that it submitted for publication on its blogthreads; PDF available for verification]

LoRiseAntlers See Profile I'm a Fan of LoRiseAntlers permalink
Actually,I am convinced that the goal of the Fundamentalists is to create a Christiofascist army,one with which they can overthrow the government of the United States.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:02 PM on 05/04/2009
[Ed.: The only group we're aware of that has explicitly stated its intent to destroy America is the Muslim Brotherhood, the seedbed of most prominent terrorist and Islamist front groups today]

tonyspdx See Profile I'm a Fan of tonyspdx permalink
I hardly think that this is as wide spread as this article would imply. I would not say that this has not occurred, but not as impactful as this article would say. This is just another way of driving a wedge between the American people and its soldiers. I can easily say this, because I am not a Christian, but I still do have critical thinking skills that some publications lack.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:11 PM on 05/04/2009

(reply to above)
PlaceboStudman See Profile I'm a Fan of PlaceboStudman permalink
The fact that it is happening at all, in direct violation of General Order 1 is the point. Even if only one soldier attempted to convert a Muslim to Christian during war time, it would be a dishonorable discharge violation
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:36 PM on 05/04/2009

(reply to above)
PartTimeRoadie See Profile I'm a Fan of PartTimeRoadie permalink
It should be punishable by brig time! They are there as soldiers. Not as missionaries. Anyone from a "christian" country who carries a gun is instantly viewed with, at best, suspicion in that part of the world. And with good reason. Please note the quotes around Christian. Regardless of if we are or not (we're not supposed to be) perception is 9/10th of reality.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:21 PM on 05/04/2009

PlaceboStudman See Profile I'm a Fan of PlaceboStudman permalink
"Faith should be a matter of personal conviction" Amen to that. I just find it heartbreaking that those who are being sent to fight what is now obviously become a Holy War have no real concept of what they are fighting for. In the Christian faith too, people are told they must come to find Jesus/God on their own, not that Jesus or God will come to them. OF course, as usual, those who fight in the name of Christianity know not what they speak
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:00 PM on 05/04/2009

hodz See Profile I'm a Fan of hodz permalink
Evangelical Christians are rude, vicious, and have holier than thou attitude. They attempt to convert people by using the fire of hell as punishment for those who do not convert before their death. I counter them by stating that all religions are man made and their religion is nothing, but pure fabrication based on myth.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:05 PM on 05/04/2009

LeftRight See Profile I'm a Fan of LeftRight permalink
You're right, there have been terrible crimes committed in the names of Christianity and Islam. However, the one going on TODAY is the one where the US soldiers are trying to convert Muslims at the end of a gun, which is not acceptable!
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:15 AM on 05/05/2009

Ironically, and refreshingly, HuffPost also published one comment from a user who claims to be an officer in the U.S. Navy, which provided some much-needed levity and perspective on the erroneous perceptions that it incited in the raging leftists that it attracts:

aclampitt See Profile I'm a Fan of aclampitt permalink

I think that many people are jumping to conclusions here. Our military has members from all faiths, and in some cases, I'm sure that there are those who would like to proselytize their faith. However, the mlitary strictly forbids this and it is not tolerated at any level. The military is a microcosm of our entire society, and sometimes there are those that do not uphold our values. But it's unfair to generalize and make assumptions about something that is just not true.

The soldier in Afghanistan that caused this frenzy was counseled by the chaplain for attempting to violate military policy. The bibles were confiscated and never distributed. Additionally, the bibles were donated by a church in the U.S. and were completely unsolicited.

I am a proud member of the U.S. military and those I serve with are true heroes.
Please make sure that you have all the facts before making accusations and assumptions.

LT Adam Clampitt, United States Navy
US Forces - Afghanistan
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:10 AM on 05/05/2009

===========================

ADDENDUM 2: Two days later, Arianna Huffington testified before the U.S. Senate on... "The Future Of 'Journalism'"

Given the contents of this article, and the other features on Huff-Watch, this is truly other-worldly:

HuffTV: Arianna Testifies About The Future Of Journalism Before Senate Subcommittee On Communications

Some interesting notes:

• Sen. John Kerry, who chairs the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation, which conducted this "hearing," is also an official HuffPost blogger.
  
  
• Four of the other fourteen Democratic "committee members" are also official HuffPost bloggers, including Sen. Byron Dorgan, Sen. Barbara Boxer, Sen. Frank Lautenberg and Sen. Mark Begich.

At this point, let's all just keep repeating to ourselves, "There's nothing otherworldly about this, there's nothing otherworldly about this..."


===========================

ADDENDUM 3: Shockingly, the radical leftists that HuffPost enables and protects... continued venting their rabid hatred (with its approval)

The following was culled just from casual review of several users' profiles; it is by no means complete, or is even scratching the surface; it is just a sampling of what is available to the observer, with precious little time to devote to this.

As documented here, here and here, HuffPost has become a magnet for radical leftists who submit hateful, slanderous comments against Israel, and often, Jews --- which it routinely approves for publication. At the same time, however, as noted elsewhere, HuffPost routinely removes the comments from/fast-bans non-violating users who dare to offer dissenting political views, often at the behest of the most pathological violators of its policies and terms of service.

By continuing to enable haters such as "DrBurns2" and "OldBossNewBoss," as listed above, HuffPost got exactly what could have been predicted: more hatred, which it also dutifully approved and published --- even though their comments were egregious violations of its (supposed) Comment Policies and Terms of Service:

While upwards of 80-100 other comments were "pending" HuffPost's review:

On a news thread discussing the Pope:

DrBurns2 See Profile I'm a Fan of DrBurns2 permalink
I pray that he d!es soon.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:32 PM on 05/07/2009

On a news thread discussing Obama's intention to revive military commissions at U.S. bases:

OldBossNewBoss See Profile I'm a Fan of OldBossNewBoss permalink
Rahm Israel Emanuel hasn"t been mopping floors at the White House. As soon as he gets the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 passed, it will become a crime for any American to tell the truth about Israel"s treatment of Palestinians and theft of their lands.
It will be a crime for Christians to acknowledge the New Testament"s account of Jews demanding the crucifixion of Jesus.
It will be a crime to report the extraordinary influence of the Israel Lobby on the White House and Congress, such as the AIPAC-written resolutions praising Israel for its war crimes against the Palestinians in Gaza that were endorsed by 100 percent of the US Senate and 99 per cent of the House of Representatives, while the rest of the world condemned Israel for its barbarity.
It will be a crime to doubt the Holocaust.
It will become a crime to note the disproportionate representation of Jews in the media, finance, and foreign policy. [...]
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:33 PM on 05/09/2009

And the beat(-down of the U.S. military, Christians, Jews, Israel, and non-leftists at HuffPost) goes on, and on, and on...


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ADDENDUM 4: Huff-Watch conducts a "test" to determine whether such identical comments against Muslims/Islam would also be approved and tolerated by HuffPost

Despite its Comment Policy's prohibition of comments containing vulgar, racist, personal attacks, close observers of HuffPost know that user comments containing prolific anti-Christian, anti-Catholic, and anti-Semitic libels and hatred are quite common on its "news" threads. In fact, HuffPost knowingly protects purveyors of such diatributes, as in the case of "HumeSkeptic." They also know that comments such as these, but directed at Islam, are de facto prohibited.

When HuffPost published a new story concerning an attempted bombing of a New York synagogue, a Huff-Watch operative conducted this test, to determine if it would allow carbon copies of anti-Christian comments to be posted --- but reworded to assail Islam. Can you guess the result?

See: 5/21/09: The "NewUser2" Test

.