Indeed, history is nothing more than a tableau of crimes and misfortunes - Voltaire.
“What experience and history teach is this - that nations and governments have never learned anything from history, or acted upon any lessons they might have drawn from it" - Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.
The latest "deeply unfortunate incident" in Afghanistan is the burning of Korans, or Qurans, at an American air base. The ensuing violence has left an astonishing number of people dead or wounded.
Dead and wounded (an incomplete list):
7 dead, dozens wounded (2/22/2012)
2 American advisors dead (2/25/2012)
2 Afghans dead, 7 international troops wounded (2/26/2012)
9 die in suicide "revenge" bombing of Jalalabad Airport (2/27/2012)
This violent response has, I think, mystified the average American. Why are Muslims so angry over the burning of books? And, perhaps more importantly, how should we as a nation and individuals, respond to their anger?
Over the next few days, I will attempt to answer these questions.
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