Colonel Cooper Comments

"Islam may indeed have its virtues, but they must be sought for carefully and objectively. Winston Churchill, "the greatest man of the 19th century and the greatest Englishman of all time," put it thus:"

"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live."A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property, either as a child, a wife, or a concubine, must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men."Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities, but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome."Sir Winston Churchill (The River War, first edition, Vol. II, pages 248-50.
London: Longmans, Green Co., 1899).
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There's the usual from the old Light Bird, the above quote of Churchill's coming as the end piece of this months Cooper Commentaries. More and more, it is as plain as the nose on your face that old Jeff has no patience with those who obtain things to have and to hold, rather than as a specific need. The obligatory complaint about why someone would need this weapon, or that...and living with this man must have been one helluva tribulation for his sainted wife...and while it's obvious he doesn't get out much anymore*, he remains a good read.

*Senior NCO's are the ones who teach officers what they need to know, such as, say, tying a good knot in a dress shoe so it doesn't fall off as one is walking, and it'd be nice if the Colonel could find himself a reliable modern-day instructor.