" DD P.S. Just kidding.Merry Christmas "

" Karl , Merry Christmas to you and your family.Merry Christmas to all. "

" DD, you're too much! That "hummers" comment cracked me up! BTW, I don't think only four people read the post; cm also weighed in with some typically weightless commentary...sigh...I still don't really know what she said in the first few sentences!?! Anyhoo--I think the conversation here has been productive and eye-opening, at least for me. It's too bad more people didn't chime in; with the amount of Two Cents posts and the couple letters written, I would have thought that more people would've lent their opinion? Anyway, they're gonna kick this letter off here tomorrow I'm sure, so in case we don't lob any more literary snowballs at each other over the next few days; coach, DD, Jerry--and even you cm--have a "Merry Christmas" and a prosperous New Year..! "

" Hey coach!! With your head up your rectum, its hard to breath, isn't it? Now that's a fight. "

" I thought the serenity prayer was the prayer old people in the nursing home use when they don't want their Serenity pads to leak when they urinate..............well, ok, it was funny in my mind people. "

" lol, your a man of few words coach. I truly enjoy conversations like these. A man can learn alot. If he has a mind to that is,lol I can't wait until for next topic "

" I just think its funny that only four people read the letter, and one of them is the author. Seriously, I see your point Karl--by the way, did you say that they wanted hummers? Heck, I think we all want hummers--along with living in a big house. Yup, I'm all for hummers and big houses. "

" Wow. "

" I agree with your statements about the music we play--I was actually pretty nervous before we went over there--but we didn't have one issue or threat. It was really eye-opening to me and opened my mind a lot. I understand your point of views a little more now that I know you had a son who served, I hope all is well with him; he sounds like a true hero. I also concur with you that this type of Radicalism has to be stopped; where we disagree is in the method. I think it's more about understanding and modifying the causes of the fanaticism, and trying to address the root cause, and I think that just blaming it on their Holy Book is too convenient and simplistic. They actually have much to resent from the US; we really do play both sides of he fence in the world, and have much to hide. And the Israeli-Palestinian situation has to first be addressed fairly; Israel has to stop treating Palestinians like slaves and prisoners. Have you ever looked beyond the inflammatory news reports and read anything by like, say, Thomas Friedman? It's pretty shameful, the double-standard that Israel plays by. BTW, there has been much condemnation by moderate Muslims over this awful suicide bomber video in Britain. Maybe progress is being made? "

" I also like to have a decent conversation with people that may or may not have opposing point of views. You were fortunate to have had the experience of interacting with moderate Muslims in Turkey. Keep in mind however, they are moderates, and allies of the United States. Keep in mind however, the very music you play would be cause for the death sentence by some of these extremists. Not only the music, but because you are considered to be an infidel, those reasons are enough to be put to death. I have had the experience of knowing moderate Muslims as well, and I have had the experience of knowing the extremists. Men who would gladly slit your throat simply because you are an infidel. Knowing or not knowing or believing in God would not be a reason to spare your life. Men who know only Allah and take the Quran to the extreme and truly believe they are meant for world conquest, men who pray every day for your death and the death of America and all her allies. This is the type of extremism we are up against, and sitting and doing nothing will only allow them to gain momentum and power through out the world. My sons were in the service and one son had to repel an attack upon his ship by extremists. This was an eye opener, and it was before the attack on the USS Cole, but it was also a lesson that the U.S. never learned, and that the extremists perfected "

" Jerry, it's a pleasure to conduct a civil dialogue with you regarding something that we agree on--I think that's what coach meant by "wow!"? LOL!--anyway, I agree with you as well; there needs to be more moderate voice coming from Islam. Anees in the other letter is a good example of one; shame that Chris pee'd all over him. Anyway, you know, I HAVE seen stories of courageous and moderate Muslims on CNN, and overseas on BBC World, but it makes me wonder if it's just not all that big or exciting a story for the media. I KNOW you'll never see a story like that on Fox News! But the voices ARE out there, but sadly, given the extreme nature of these idiots, I can understand how moderates might fear for their lives--it's just like the "Don't Snitch" campaigns in gang areas. Drug dealers and gang scum intimidate and kill witnesses who speak up; A report on CNN yesterday said witness intimidation has hit record levels. Incidentally, I agree about removing the extremist elements; I just think that instead of trying to enforce that through MORE religion, we ought to be concentrating on our common, shared Humanity--like I found between myself and those Turkish people--than by encouraging MORE reliance on divisive religion and religious instruction. I guess that's where we differ? "

" 5 : to affect by mixing in something different HMMM...maybe as the spray of water hit the rocks--the spray will cover the child and the child will be christened!!! I guess its all in how your choose to interpret the words???!!! But isn't that was the Bible stories written were--a persons VIEW!!! "

" You are 100% right Karl! Concerning the Serbs and the atrocities they committed against Muslims, the world reacted and tried those who committed these acts as war criminals. The United States LED the charge. Yet, where are the moderate Muslims? Why are they afraid to stand up and hold those accountable for the bombings, the murders, of innocent people? Muslim and Jew, and gentile alike? Their silence only perpetuates the violence. This is what angers me about this situation. This is the motivation behind 911, these extremists need to be erased from the face of the earth so everyone can enjoy freedom of religion, no matter what religion they are "

" Wow. "

" Jerry, I see your point, and concede that it has some truth to it, but consider that it really doesn't matter when you really look at the big picture.Religious-inspired hatred and violence has killed and continues to kill people because of extremists in every camp. Look, the Serbian conflict there a few years ago--that was Christians slaughtering Muslims. In Nigeria; same thing. There's a video game out there, "Left Behind; Eternal Forces" in which you play a Christian out to kill Muslims, gays, anyone who will not convert--and this is being marketed to kids. Look, there are weirdos and extremists on all sides. Jerry, I went to Istanbul a few years ago to plat there and met many devout Muslims who were no different than you or I. They were consummate hosts, kind people who enjoyed a good laugh, drank lustily, ate heartily, and loved their beautiful women who walked around in regular clothes, some of them absolutely gorgeous! The kids I talked to all wanted to come to America and live in a "big American house" with "a Hummer"! These caricatures of Islamists that are represented by the warring factions are not ALL of Islam. With regard to Christianity, it really doesn't matter if it was 1,000 years ago or now. Murderous Popes, Crusaders, Inquisitors, Witch hunters, and the Spanish who committed genocides against the Meso-Americans--they were ALL "inspired" by the Christian doctrine, and "justified" by it, It's just for the fact that Christianity "triumphed" through a lot of aggression and suppression that we still don't see such fanatical extremist behavior. Islam is in the same "stage" now that Christianity was 1,000 years ago--fighting for dominance, reactionary, under attack. I'm not making excuses for it, I don't condone it, but I know that there is still the same elements in every religion today, and that in truth, the majority of Muslims that I have had the pleasure to know and interact with do not support that fanatical, militant view. I promise not to caricature all Christians if you promise not to caricature all Muskims...or Atheists! :) "

" It's easy to take verse out of context to suit your point, but the truth of the matter is, what you cited is not happening in today's day and age, unlike the Muslim religion where these barbaric practices are happening every day. In regards to your verse of God ordering the killing of babies do you know the reason why God gave such an order? It would be hard for us to justify the murder of any innocent person in today's day and age, in fact it's hard for many in today's society to justify the death of a person found guilty by a court of law let alone the outrage for the murder committed daily in the name of Allah. A little extreme wouldn't you agree? As for me I wouldn't have a problem saying a prayer as I pulled the switch or pulled the trigger, sending them to meet Allah. lol "

" jrmorgansr, just a sample to prove my point: Psalms 137:9 Here god commands that infants should be “dashed upon the rocks”.1 Samuel 15:3 God commands the death of helpless "suckling" infants. This literally means that the children god killed were still nursing.Psalms 135:8 & 136:10 Here god is praised for slaughtering little babies. "

" jrmorgansr, I will admit that this letter was submitted on the same day that I posted a modified version of it here as a response yesterday. This is posted here today because of printing delays of the paper. I don't have any way to control that. I wanted to make sure that this whole Atheism/Communism thing was understood, because people reading Richmond's letter would go away incorrectly thinking that Atheists are responsible for taking religion out of schools--a common misbelief--when in fact it was actually a combination of Religious people, agnostics in New Hyde Park, The Unitarian Shemp, and only then, in a minor and almost inconsequential role, Madalyn O'Hair. Why is that important? Because people have such misinformed, caricatured impressions of Atheists and they get those silly views from misinformation like that--even if it was posted out of error not malice. BTW, check out my reponse to Chris on that other koran letter--the Bible has just as much, and in fact, MORE violence than the Koran, Google "violent Bible verses" if you don't believe me. There is enough violence in Religion to choke on; it doesn't matter what creed! "

" I have to agree with the coach on this one Karl, it is getting old. Although I agree with you on some points, it really doesnt matter one iota what the Mayor is doing. He is after all a lame duck on his way out. Would you care to discuss the Quran and the Muslim woman who was raped and sentenced to prison and ordered to be lashed. I would characterize that as barbaric, and not the religion of love as they would like us to believe. Any thoughts? "

" Ok lets find something else to fight about please!This is getting old. "

" cm--oh intellectual envy shows its true face yet again.... "

" Old history--have anything more update thats not been repeated/retyped a zillion times allready?! "