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The Army Of Men That Love Death, As You Love Life

Dealing in Death-The West is weak because it respects life?

Steven Stalinsky: In the war on terrorism, major battles from early Islamic history serve as inspiration for those fighting against the West.

As al Qaeda associate Abu Musab al-Zarqawi beheaded American Nicholas Berg in Iraq last week, he asked:

"Is it time for you [Muslims] to take the path of jihad and carry the sword of the Prophet of prophets?... The Prophet, the most merciful, ordered [his army] to strike the necks of some prisoners in [the battle of] Badr and to kill them... And he set a good example for us."

"As for you, Bush, dog of the Christians, anticipate what will harm you... And you will only get shroud after shroud and coffin after coffin slaughtered in this manner."

Another chapter from early Islamic history — serving as a lesson for today's Muslims at war against the West — is the concept of the love of death.

This originated at the Battle of Qadisiyya in the year 636, when the commander of the Muslim forces, Khalid ibn Al-Walid, sent an emissary with a message from Caliph Abu Bakr to the Persian commander, Khosru.

The message stated: "You [Khosru and his people] should convert to Islam, and then you will be safe, for if you don't, you should know that I have come to you with an army of men that love death, as you love life."

This account is recited in today's Muslim sermons, newspapers, and textbooks.

The Muslim loves death and [strives for] martyrdom." Saudi Sheikh Abd Al-Muhsin Al-Qassem in Al-Madina added:

"The Jews preached permissiveness and corruption, as they hid behind false slogans like freedom and equality, humanism and brotherhood... They are cowards in battle... they flee from death and fear fighting... They love life."

President Bush referred to this concept:

"On a tape claiming responsibility for the atrocities in Madrid, a man is heard to say, 'We choose death, while you choose life.'... It is a mindset that rejoices in suicide, incites murder, and celebrates every death we mourn."

"We do love life... We believe in the values that uphold the dignity of life, tolerance, and freedom, and the right of conscience."

"This way of life is worth defending. There is no neutral ground ...in the fight between civilization and terror, because there is no neutral ground between good and evil, freedom and slavery, and life and death."

"A man named Berg was put to the sword; tomorrow, it could be the Arab nation torn asunder by the same savagery."


Leno

"Shrek 2” made $104 million this weekend. That is the most money taken in on one weekend since John Kerry’s honeymoon.

I heard today that John Kerry and President Bush may be getting together soon. The bad news, it’s to ride bicycles together.

Bush’s bike accident was different from John Kerry’s accident: Bush fell when he tried turning too hard to the right; Kerry fell when he kept switching gears.

First Kerry, now Bush, you know if Ralph Nader could just stay away from sporting equipment for the next 4 or 5 months, he could win this election by default.

A ship carrying 4000 Hyundai automobiles sank after colliding with an oil tanker. Hyundai officials calculate the loss of cars at over $3,000.

The creator of the hit show "The O.C.” Has been slapped with a lawsuit by two writers who claim they originally came up with the idea for the show. Yeah, I remember that idea. I believe it was called "Beverly Hills, 90210”.

We also have Ashlee Simpson on the show tonight. Jessica Simpson’s little sister. That must be nice for her having a big sister to help with homework.

Letterman

This is "Fleet Week” here in New York. 4,000 sailors are visiting the city this week – and one of them gets to be J. Lo’s new fiancé.

Do you have cicadas? Those things are brazen. Today a group of cicadas made a dozen naked cockroaches form a pyramid.

Over the weekend President Bush fell off his bicycle. That happened to John Kerry too. The only thing Clinton ever fell off of was an intern.