All language subtitles for JAG S09E20 Fighting Words

Not only have we captured Saddam
Hussein, we have also captured or killed

all of his most trusted lieutenants.

And I want to introduce two men who have
been key to this success.

Major General Earl Watson of the United
States Marines and General Mohammed

Jabra of the Iraqi Army. As of today...

These two outstanding generals are
assigned to lead the joint task force

with capturing all remaining high -value
targets.

Ladies and gentlemen, General Watson and
General Jabra.

General Jabra, General Jabra.

Could you give us the Iraqi point of
view on relations with the U .S.

I speak for all Iraqi people when I say
that our trust in your military has

grown as our nation grows more secure.

On a personal level, I've had many late
-night cups of coffee with General

Watson, and I found it to be quite
agreeable, though perhaps a little

with American football.

General Watson.

General, are you confident you're the
right man to be working so closely with

General Jabra and the other Iraqis,
given your hostile attitude toward their

religion?

I don't know what you're talking about.

General, I was at the Alexandria Baptist
Church yesterday when you gave your

guest sermon.

You described Islam as a second -rate
religion and said we're doing battle

the devil.

What I said in church and what I believe
is simply that the United

States is engaged in a global war
against evil.

General Watson, are you admitting to
this accusation?

This media frenzy over General Watson
has reached from Norway to Zanzibar.

Zanzibar, folks.

Belief. It doesn't do us any good
anywhere.

International community is already
suspicious of our motives.

I agree the general may have chosen his
words poorly.

However, what he said is not entirely
false.

We are at war with a decidedly evil
people. General Watson sounded like he

equating evil with Islam.

Well, that's not what he said, but
that's how some of our allies and

going to interpret it. Well, if we're
going to reassure them that the general

not a fanatic, we need to know what else
he said.

Did he really call Islam a second -rate
religion?

Well, the last I checked, church sermons
were protected by the constitutional

provisions for freedom of speech and
freedom of religion.

Military personnel are not as free as
other Americans, Commander.

The DOD, IG, and the Marine Corps have
requested Jag investigate the General's

remarks. We'll get right on it, sir. I'm
not eager to see General Watson get

burned. He's a courageous officer, and
he's proved vital in our

counterinsurgency efforts.

Mr. Secretary, in order for us to
reassure our allies, or anyone

else for that matter, our investigation
needs to be independent of any undue

pressure. Of course, A .J.

And I'd like to say that I'm glad the
general will be investigated by someone

Muslim heritage.

I think that'll enhance our credibility.

Sir, I don't feel comfortable having my
cultural background factor in my

assignments. Well, Colonel, I've come to
learn that religion is a factor in

everything.

Good luck.

And do me one little favor.

Don't talk to the press.

When you're on patrol in Baghdad or
manning a rocky checkpoint, what do you

think would be the most important phrase
to know?

Yes, Captain.

Stop or I will shoot.

Yes, Admiral.

Actually, that means stop or I will
release the mice.

What you want is... Oh,

people, let's try and get that right.
But I think there's another phrase when

Iraq you would find to be very
important.

And that is... We are here to help you.

Very good, General.

I'll quit while I'm ahead. Let us thank
Amir Sattar for her expert assistance.

I want you to have everything in your
notebooks fully digested by 0800

Dismissed.

Aye, sir.

Thank you, Amira.

You're welcome, General.

General. Sir.

Lieutenant Colonel McKenzie, I'm
Commander Rapp over at Headquarters Jag.

Colonel. Hello, sir. Commander.

I was told to expect a visit. Please,
have a seat. Thank you, sir.

What would you like to know?

Well, sir, why don't we start with what
you said at the church?

According to Jill Waddington, the CNN
reporter, you called Islam a second

religion. I don't recall my exact words.
I suspect Mrs. Waddington exaggerated.

But I probably did say something like
that, yes.

You're offended.

We're listening.

Commander, I'm aware that in this
morally relativistic age, I am supposed

declare every religion equal, and
Christianity is no better than

But I believe that any religion that
doesn't accept Jesus Christ as our

is not following the true path. If that
makes me insensitive, then so be it.

Well, sir, you're certainly honest, but
you're essentially dividing the world

into Christians and infidels. That's not
a word I would use, Colonel. Sir, did

you, as the reporter claims, state that
this country is presently doing battle

with the devil?

Commander, whether you believe the devil
is real or just a metaphor, wouldn't

you agree that an evil force was behind
9 -11?

Well, that would be difficult to deny,
General.

Sir, in your guest sermon, did you
equate Islam with evil?

No, but there are certain aspects of
Islam that trouble me.

The religion has a warrior streak that
is too easily appropriated as a

justification for holy war and
terrorism.

In all fairness, sir, Islam explicitly
condemns terrorism. And Christianity has

been misused to justify everything from
enslaving Africans to massacring

American Indians.

That's true, Colonel, and I condemn that
as well. But Ms. Waddington only

mentioned part of my sermon.

What was the other part, sir?

that all the world's peoples are our
brothers and sisters, and it is our

Christian duty to protect them from
tyranny and violence.

But don't trust my recollection of the
sermon, Commander. Ask the people who

heard me speak.

General Watson was recommended to me by
a minister in Norfolk. The general gave

a guest sermon there last year. Were you
happy with the guest sermon the general

gave this past Sunday?

I don't see what all the fuss is about.

His message was, everybody is your
neighbor.

And you have to love thy neighbor as
thyself.

I've been the secretary here since 1972,

having missed a single Sunday service
since the start. Then you heard General

Watson's sermon.

You won't tell Reverend Owens everything
I said, will you? Not if you don't want

me to. To be honest, I felt kind of
uncomfortable.

General Watson came down pretty hard on
Islam.

What exactly did he say?

He said Muslims believe it's their
religious duty to conquer the infidels.

said most Muslims are good, peaceful
people and very religiously observant.

he never indicated that Islam was
somehow evil?

Absolutely not.

He said all religions are second to
Christianity, but we should respect

He never exactly called Islam evil, but
he said according to opinion polls, most

Muslims support the terrorists.

He emphasized most Muslims hate the
terrorists.

He even mentioned some opinion polls to
that effect.

He went on like that for over an hour.
Then he was going to do a slideshow.

Thankfully, the projector broke down.

Unfortunately, the projector broke down,
but I could have listened to General

Watson forever.

He was inspiring.

A true man of God.

My father was a Navy chaplain since
before I was born.

Thank you.

I never heard him once say a single
negative word about another religion.

no matter how we handle this, we'll
offend a lot of people.

You okay?

Yeah, I'm fine, except I could use some
help on this case. I'd be glad to. Just

let me know if I get overly
sanctimonious.

You, Sturgis?

Oh, boy.

What? I was hoping this would go away.

I'm being investigated.

For what?

We have another cultural insensitivity
case. Commander Turner stands accused of

anti -Korean bias.

That surprises me, sir. Last fall,
Commander and Lieutenant Yee were

interrogate some North Korean
submariners. Lieutenant Yee claims the

attitudes caused the Navy to lose
valuable intel.

I want you to investigate.

I've never heard the commander make any
anti -Korean or anti -Asian remarks,

sir. Well, if these allegations prove
true, I want them documented. But if

they're false, I want Turner's record
cleared. Understood?

Yes, sir.

What?

I was in the same position a year ago,
sir. I had Commander Turner's

professional future in my hands.

Well, fortunately, he survived that
experience.

Barely, sir.

Well, he'll do fine. That'll be all.
Yes, sir.

So what do you got on General Watson?
We've talked to seven people who heard

guest sermon last Sunday, sir. And each
one has a different story. But taken

together, they indicate General Watson
publicly denigrated Islam. The evidence

is highly ambiguous, sir. Do you two
ever get tired of disagreeing? Yes, sir.

Sir, if the colonel is correct, General
Watson is guilty of conduct unbecoming.

Not only that, his public statements may
be undermining our war on terrorism.

Sir, I think we're being roped into a
politically correct witch hunt. Some

overly ambitious TV reporter makes
exaggerated claims. Suddenly we're all

jumping through hoops. Well, Commander,
you're going to need a 12 -foot ladder

for this one. I taped this about 10
minutes ago.

some stunning new developments in the
story.

Two and a half years ago, CNN shot
footage of a church service at a Marine

base in Virginia.

That footage never aired at the time.
But when the current controversy

our new staff was able to locate the
tape. The speaker you're about to see is

Marine General Earl Watson.

Our nation is under attack from men who
believe, as the Koran says, that you

must fight the unbeliever wherever you
find them.

We are locked in a worldwide struggle.

And our enemy thinks that we are soft.

Well, they are about to find out that we
are a mighty Christian army and we will

win this holy war.

General Watson has been awarded two
silver stars and a purple heart.

He served his country with distinction
for 25 years.

He knew the rules, sir. As a high
-ranking officer, you've got to watch

tongue.

I'll bet you enjoy that part of the job,
don't you, A .J.? At any rate, a court

of inquiry has been convened to examine
General Watson's conduct.

I think that's a wise decision, sir.

Yes, and I want to keep it closed to the
press.

Minister, you are aware that a court of
inquiry can recommend anything from a

complete exoneration to a court
-martial.

I'd tell you the result that I'm hoping
for, but I guess to avoid impropriety,

I'd better hold my tongue.

Bet you enjoy that part of the job,
don't you, sir?

Oh, yeah.

I realize we can't stop people from
being prejudiced, but there's no excuse

shooting off your mouth and alienating
half the world. So when it comes to

prejudice, don't ask, don't tell.

Colonel McKenzie, Jill Waddington, DNN.
We've already met. Who authorized you to

be in the building?

I have a meeting with the Public Affairs
Office.

Why is this inquiry being held in
private? With all due respect, Miss

Waddington, we have nothing to say.

Is Jack attempting to whitewash General
Watson's actions?

The PAO's office is upstairs.

Colonel, because your general acted
inappropriately, is that a reason to be

angry with the press?

How did she get onto General Watson in
the first place?

She said she was driving past the church
and she just happened to see General

Watson's name on the message board out
front.

That sounds convenient.

You think she had a source?

I'll have to peen her phone records.

The general apparently used slides
during his talks. We should get a hold

those, too.

I feel a little hypocritical.

I'm being investigated for prejudice,
and here I am going PC on the General.

Your case is totally different than
General Watson's. Both of us could have

careers destroyed.

Sturgis, there's no way you're guilty.
You're far too obsessively rational to

prejudiced against anyone.

Thanks, I think.

Besides, I'm sure Lieutenant Roberts
will determine there's nothing to it.

What is investigating?

I thought you knew.

Our nation is under attack.

from men who believe, as the Koran says,
that they must fight the unbeliever

wherever they find them.

Members of the court, this quote is
often used to prove that Islam is a

religion.

It's taken totally out of context. It
actually refers to a war 1 ,500 years

between a small Muslim community and the
local tribesmen who were torturing and

killing them. I will grant the general
may have misinterpreted the Koran.

However, that has little to do with the
issue at this court of inquiry.

The general in uniform and in public has
been feeding false stereotypes about

Islam. Let's watch the rest of it,
Colonel.

We are engaged in a worldwide struggle.

And our enemy thinks that we are soft.

But they are about to find out that we
are a mighty Christian army and we will

win this holy war.

The terrorists don't represent Islam any
more than the Ku Klux Klan represents

Christianity. The general refers to a
mighty Christian army, a holy war.

Our president has been very explicit
that this is not a religious war. Our

president also used the word crusade,
which has a definite religious subtext.

Religion is a part of life. Our leaders
need to feel they can speak without

censoring their every word. This kind of
loose talk endangers our national

security. There is no evidence that a
few inappropriate words will have any

impact whatsoever.

It's bad enough that some radical
Islamists are talking holy war. We don't

our own generals following suit.

Now, the Arab street is watching this. A
few more tapes like this, and Osama

won't need to make his videos anymore.

Gentlemen, I gave this sermon five days
after 9 -11.

We were pulling bodies from the rubble.
Our nation was under attack. I wasn't

paying attention to the niceties of
speech.

Did you clear your comments with public
affairs in advance?

Public affairs had a lot on its plate at
the time.

Were you aware the media would be at
this church service?

No, I flew in from Tampa the night
before.

But when you arrived at the chapel and
saw the TV news crews, why didn't you

moderate your comments?

I believe the general has answered their
question, sir. 9 -11 was not a time for

moderation. Emotions were running high.

Yes, it was a crisis situation.

Exactly when we need our military
leaders at their best.

Sir,

we need that press release this
afternoon.

Apple letters to the editor saying that
General Watson deserves a Medal of

Honor. The other half say he should be
hung upside down by his coat.

Well, we are a divided country, sir.

Fortunately, we Americans have one thing
in common.

Bad traffic?

Baseball. Actually, sir, I'm not much of
a fan.

I've fired people for less coats.

Sir, I told Secnav we'd fax it to him by
1500.

Very well.

You take shorthand, right?

Yes, sir. I took a course last summer.

I must say I found it much more
enlightening than my Psychology 101

Okay.

The formal inquiry into General Earl

Watson's conduct is expected to be
completed by the end of this week.

In the meantime, may I suggest that we
set aside all our religious differences

and instead concentrate our efforts on
bringing a...

Major League Baseball came back to the
fine city of Washington, D .C.

I don't think that will fly, sir.

Why don't I work on a first draft and
then bring it in to you, sir?

Thanks, Coates.

You're welcome, sir.

Tell me something, Arm. Were you
offended by the General's comments about

A lot of things offend me, Mac. It's
what gets me going in the morning.

Seriously. Look, do I agree with all of
General Watson's views? No.

However... The general has spent his
life protecting our freedoms. Now we're

trying to take away his right to freedom
of religion and freedom of speech.

Colonel? Now, doesn't that offend you?

What is it?

Jill Waddington's cell phone records.

Prior to visiting Alexandria Baptist
Church, she spoke on the phone twice

Marine corporal.

Sorry.

This is for you, Lieutenant.

I understand you're the point man on the
Lieutenant Yee investigation.

It's not something I requested, sir.

I put together all my papers for you on
the matter.

You bruised them at your leisure.

Thank you, sir.

Don't you worry about it, Lieutenant.

I'm sure you'll do a fine job.

Ma 'am, is there any way to keep my
identity a secret?

What are you concerned about, Corporal
Homo?

No one likes a whistleblower, ma 'am.

That's why I asked Miss Waddington not
to tell anyone about me. And how did you

meet Miss Waddington?

I met her at Parris Island.

She was doing a story on boot camp.

So a couple weeks ago, when I heard that
General Watson was getting a high

-profile assignment from CENTCOM, I
decided to call her. And why was that,

Corporal?

Ma 'am, did you know that speech they're
showing on TV from after 9 -11?

Well, I was there.

And it upset you?

Yes, ma 'am. I'm a Muslim.

What were you doing at a church service,
Corporal? It was not a church service,

ma 'am.

It was an interfaith service, ma 'am.
That's how it was advertised in the

command plan of the day. As a time for
all Marines to come together, no matter

what their religion, and pray together.

And that's why you went there?

Ma 'am, when 9 -11 happened, a lot of
off -colored comments got thrown around.

Rag had this, and Towel had that.

I thought this service would be a chance
to worship with my fellow Marines and

feel solidarity.

Is that the way it worked out, Corporal
Humlode?

No, ma 'am. When General Watson started
trash -talking Islam, it seemed like my

country was turning against me.

That must have been distressing.

Ma 'am, I'm getting out of the Marine
Corps next month.

Now, I don't blame my decision on
General Watson, but his speech sure

make me want to re -enlist.

Corporal, were you the only non
-Christian at the service?

There were at least two other Muslims
and two Jews that I knew of, ma 'am, and

they were all very upset also.

Does counsel for the party have any
questions?

Yes, I do.

Corporal Hammoud, did you ever hear
General Watson say anything questionable

other than that one time?

No, sir, but I didn't have much contact
with him. So then would you agree that

there are many Muslims serving in the
Marine Corps who are happy?

I do know several Muslims who are
relatively content, yes, sir.

So then there is no anti -Muslim
sentiment that pervades the Marine

I'd say when it comes to anti -Muslim
prejudice, the Marine Corps is about the

same as the rest of society, sir.

But our leaders shouldn't be out there
fanning the flames, sir.

When 9 -11 happened, we were all in a
state of shock.

To some extent, that excuses General
Watson's actions.

However... The General disobeyed
military regulations by delivering a

potentially inflammatory speech in front
of the press, in uniform, without

getting it cleared beforehand.

Furthermore, there is some evidence that
he has continued a pattern of

questionable remarks since then.

General Watson, your rhetoric has
damaged our nation's relations with our

allies. Your outspoken views disrupted
good order and discipline within the

Marine Corps.

This court of inquiry recommends that
you be charged with dereliction of duty

and conduct unbecoming an officer, and
that these charges be disposed of at

general court -martial.

All the major American networks in Al
Jazeera will be covering the court

-martial. By the time this is over, sir,
General Watson's controversial

statements about Islam will be seen by
hundreds of millions of people. Why

we just accept the fact that some of our
leaders have strong opinions and that's

what makes them great leaders? Great
leaders don't actively promote the clash

civilizations. Mac, that was the media's
doing.

General Watson merely stated his belief
that God is not neutral in the struggle

between freedom and terrorism. No, I
think God would prefer it if people

throw his name around quite so much.

Good morning, everybody.

Mr. Secretary.

As you were.

I just dropped by to thank the Admiral
for keeping the investigation of General

Watson so quiet.

Sir, there is no way... Just kidding.
Just kidding, A .J. At this point, we'll

just let the chips fall where they may.

Let's show our allies and our enemies
American military jurisprudence at its

finest. Yes, sir.

Colonel McKenzie, who are you planning
to have testify?

Actually, Mr.

Secretary, I was thinking of calling
you.

General Watson is charged with speeding
up the flow of intel to all field units

that are tracking top -ranked
terrorists.

Sir, have the General's comments about
Islam affected his ability to fulfill

mission? Now that they've been
publicized, they could have a negative

yes. In what way?

Objection calls for speculation.

It's well within the witness's field of
expertise.

Overruled.

The general allegedly said that we're
engaged in a war against Islam. That

make some Iraqis less likely to
cooperate with our military.

Mr. Secretary, could this endanger the
safety of our troops in the field?

Objection, Your Honor. Again, overruled.

In general, when we don't have
cooperation, the safety of our troops

issue. Sir, have general statements
given ammunition to Islamic extremists

their efforts to gain new recruits? They
could have, yes.

And now the general statements affected
Muslims in the United States military.

I can't imagine they're too happy about
it.

They didn't sign up to be in a Christian
army. They signed up to be American

servicemen and women.

Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

You're welcome.

Aside from Marine Corporal Hamoud, have
any other Muslim servicemen ever

complained about General Watson?

According to headquarters Marine Corps,
there have been no other complaints.

Have the general's words had any clear
and direct impact on the war on

terrorism? There's been no direct impact
that I could quantify.

Have the general statements inflamed any
moderate Muslims and caused them to

pick up the bloody sword of jihad?

Not to my knowledge, Commander.

How has the general performed in his
mission to capture Saddam Hussein and

Baathist loyalists, sir?

Admirably. He was instrumental in the
capture of over 45 of the targets in the

famous deck of cards.

Do you feel, Mr. Secretary, removing
General Watson from his assignment would

negatively impact the war on terrorism?

You could definitely make that argument.

You have calls from the Anti -Defamation
League, the Council for Islamic

Relations, the American Association of
Churches.

Coach, in the 1930s, do you know who the
most famous Jew was?

Albert Einstein, sir. More famous than
Einstein.

Sigmund Freud.

More famous than Freud.

I give up, sir.

Hank Greenberg.

Hank Greenberg, sir? A .K .A.

Hammerin' Hank.

Hall of Fame first baseman, left
fielder, led the Detroit Tigers to four

Series.

Figures this would be about baseball,
sir. Hank Greenberg did more to combat

anti -Semitism in the 30s than any other
man.

When you're rooting for a Jewish guy to
hit one over the fence, it makes it

harder to hate Jews.

Don't you know what this world needs?

Stockings that don't run, sir. A Muslim
who can hit 60 home runs.

But we have had famous Muslim athletes,
sir.

Muhammad Ali, Kareem Abdul -Jabbar.

Oh, I know, I know, but it's not
baseball.

Petty officer, may I ask you for a
minute? Is something wrong, ma 'am? In

office.

Petty officer, we have a question.

Is Meredith's marriage to the Admiral on
or off?

Sir, I don't think I'm at liberty. We
need to know for sure, Jennifer,

one of us is going to embarrass
ourselves by asking.

Incurring the Admiral's wrath, which we
don't want. I hear that.

Sir. We have to know if the wedding is
on so that we can all make plans.

Sir, the Admiral has never told me
anything directly.

You know something.

Yes, sir, I do.

And those are two words the Admiral
won't be saying.

Americans, for some reason, can't seem
to tell the difference between real

and the terrorist perversion of Islam.

When I saw the General's sermon on
television, I was disturbed.

Why is that, General Jabra? I've always
admired General Watson.

I've fought beside him, I've trusted him
with my life.

Now I learn that he despises my
religion.

My feeling was, in a sense, he despises
me. Did your fellow Iraqi military and

police officers have similar reactions?

Some of them heard the general. It
didn't really bother them. They said it

just words.

How did the other Iraqi officers react?

Many Iraqis, including military
officers, are saying, you see what these

Americans think of us?

No wonder the reconstruction is going so
slowly that they don't really give a

damn. Thank you.

You're a witness.

General, are the Iraqi people grateful
that Saddam Hussein and his cohorts are

gone? No question.

Are they aware of General Watson's role
in that, sir? They know that the general

has been effective in bringing torturers
and murderers to justice.

Well, do you feel the Iraqi people, in
the light of everything General Watson

has done, could forgive his comments?

I can only speak for myself, Commander.

Oh, please do, sir.

When I saw the general's comments on
television, the ones that have been

verified, he made them right after 9
-11.

For that reason, I am willing, as you
would say, Cut him some slack.

Also... Also what?

I do not wish to offend.

However, I sometimes personally feel as
though Christianity is a very odd

religion.

You have a father, a son, a Holy Ghost.
What is this?

One God, three Gods, what?

So, if I find your religion a little
bizarre...

I can't get too angry with you for
finding mine equally strange.

Today's witnesses were a mixed bag for
the prosecution.

In fact, some foreign observers question
whether the prosecution is actually

trying to win this case, since it could
prove embarrassing for the government.

Thank you, Jill. Well, that we agree on.

Listen, I need your witness list for
tomorrow.

Still working on it.

Mac, you know... Skip it, huh? I'm not
interested in the deal. Neither am I. In

fact, I think you should have the
charges dropped.

Dream on.

All you have are statements the general
made right after 9 -11.

And the ones he made at the Alexandria
Baptist Church less than one month ago.

There's no objective record of his
statements, Mac. You call witnesses to

testify that he attacked Islam and the
church. I'll call witnesses who remember

the exact opposite.

I believe Commander Turner is racially
biased against Koreans.

And you believe that this bias
restricted your ability to gather intel?

It did, Lieutenant.

In what way?

A North Korean submarine crew was
rescued by one of our attack subs.

Commander Turner allowed a sailor to
antagonize a North Korean skipper, who

became mentally agitated.

Then Commander Turner supported him
being tied up.

That shut him down completely, rendering
him useless as an intelligent source.

I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I don't
understand how racial bias comes into

Commander Turner made statements
which...

suggested he had little respect for
Koreans.

I believe this attitude motivated his
treatment of the North Korean skipper.

It says here in your file that when you
were a child, a black man robbed and

shot your father in this convenience
store.

Yes. Did that affect your opinion of
Commander Turner?

Commander Turner didn't shoot my father,
Lieutenant.

No, but I spoke with your father
yesterday about the man who did shoot

he referred to the assailant as a
nigger.

Have you ever used that word,
Lieutenant?

No. How do you feel about your father
using that word? I do not approve,

Lieutenant. But you understand why he
speaks that way?

Yes. Did what happened make you angry,
Lieutenant?

At times.

As angry as your father?

Lieutenant, you have had six months to
think about your accusations.

Can you honestly tell me that you
haven't at least once during that time

questioned your motives?

Sturgis, we need to establish a
continuing pattern of anti -Islamic

That would be good.

Maybe we should call witnesses from the
church in Alexandria.

We need some kind of physical evidence
to back them up.

Anybody can claim someone else made
prejudiced remarks.

Not much weight that should really
carry.

I understand Lieutenant Yee is topside.

I'm sure it's going to be all right.

Racial issues are so subjective.

How do you know for sure I'm not anti
-Korean?

How do I know?

Well, for one thing, you don't have a
continuing pattern of anti -Korean

remarks.

What is on your computer?

These are the slides the General
couldn't show in Alexandria because the

projector broke down.

I'm not sure where this is.

Maybe Baghdad? Maybe he showed these at
one of the other churches he spoke at

recently. Anything we can use?

Depends on the commentary he gave when
he ran the slides.

These are the same slides General Watson
showed at my church in Baltimore five

months ago. For the record, Reverend
Haynes, what does this slide show?

Our Lord Jesus Christ.

And this next slide shows?

The devil.

And how about this one?

It's a map of the world with the Muslim
countries in red.

Why did General Watson put this slide
right after the devil?

Objection calls for an opinion.

I'll allow it for now.

Overruled.

He was making a point that in these
Muslim countries, the devil is fighting

power.

And when he made this point, was the
general wearing a Marine Corps uniform?

Yes, he was.

Did the general explain the significance
of this light?

It is a photograph that the general took
of Baghdad on fire.

Why did he say he included this one?

When I invited the general to speak at
my church, I wasn't aware

what his views were.

What did he say?

That if you look closely enough in the
smoke, you can see the devil.

Exactly where would that be, Reverend
Haynes?

I really don't know, Commander.

Do you have a moment, sir? Come on in,
Lieutenant.

Heard you had a good day in court.

Sometimes you get lucky.

I have some information, sir.

Just been informed that Lieutenant Yee
has decided to drop all charges against

you.

What did you say to him, Lieutenant?

Oh, nothing special.

Actually, I got him to think a little
bit more about what he was saying, sir.

Also, I threatened to punch his lights
out.

I appreciate that, Lieutenant.

Sir, there was no way I was going to let
you down this time.

I believe that God is with us every day.

He gives us signs.

And the reason we pray is so that we can
see these signs and understand God's

will for us.

And one of these signs appeared to you
in the smoke over Baghdad.

Commander, I believe that in the middle
of that fierce battle, when my life

and the lives of thousands of others
were in danger, God allowed me to see

face of the devil.

But you think I'm a nut, don't you? No,
no, I don't, sir.

I have no doubt that in war some people
have very intense spiritual experiences.

Unfortunately, we live in a profoundly
anti -religious culture.

Have you been watching the news,
Commander?

No, sir. I have.

It's a mistake, General. They're going
out of their way to make my religious

belief look foolish.

Sir, tomorrow in your testimony, you're
going to need to play down some of your

more controversial views.

I refuse to lie about what I believe in.
General, like it or not, we need to

counteract the bad press you've been
getting.

Commander, I hate to take personal
credit for deeds I've done in the name

Jesus, but perhaps there is one
potential witness that might be of some

My husband, Eman, was in a unit
commanded by General Jabra and General

What happened to your husband, Mrs.
Sattar?

He was killed in a fedayeghin ambush.

How did you meet General Watson, ma 'am?

He came to our house to show his
respect.

Then he found out I have breast cancer
and the Iraqi hospital could not help

What did the general do?

He said that the United States owed my
family because my husband fought so

bravely. So he brought me to this
country.

I live in an apartment owned by his
church. The church pays for my

Why did he do that, Mrs. Sattar?

Because he is a good man.

Has General Watson ever tried to convert
you to Christianity?

General Watson and his fellow church
members drive me to a mosque every

night for services.

Thank you, Mrs. Sattar, and I hope you
recover fully, ma 'am.

Thank you.

The government has no questions for this
witness, Your Honor.

I can't change what I believe, and what
I believe is that we are engaged in far

more than a physical battle. We are
fighting for the good of mankind.

Have your beliefs ever interfered in the
performance of your duties, sir? On the

contrary, Commander, my beliefs have
given me the courage to go out on the

line and risk my life.

Have you ever mistreated personnel under
your command who didn't share your

beliefs, sir?

I tried to treat people of every
religion as if they were my brother and

Is that why you brought Mr. Tatar to
this country for medical treatment, sir?

Yes.

Have you had problems with Muslims under
your command in the past, sir?

I've commanded Muslims and Jews and even
Buddhists. The only problem I had was

when the Buddhists kept beating
everybody in poker.

Why did you talk about your religious
beliefs in public, sir? I talked about

religion in churches.

It's enough we can't pray in our schools
now. I hope we haven't gotten to the

point where a Christian man can't
express Christian views while speaking

a Christian church.

Thank you, General.

General Watson, when you speak in
churches, are you acting as a private

or as a spokesman for the United States
military?

As a private citizen.

Well then, why wear your military
uniform, sir? Doesn't that give people a

impression?

Colonel, I always make it clear that I'm
giving personal witness.

Wouldn't it have been much more clear if
you had chosen to wear civilian dress?

The congregations understood that my
opinions were my own.

Sir, did you ever clear your speeches
with the chain of command or public

affairs as required by regulation?

These were church sermons, not public
speeches. Well, they became very public,

didn't they, General?

That wasn't my choice, Colonel. You
spoke in front of a ZNN camera crew at

interfaith service.

The service took place in a Marine
chapel.

I assumed it was a regular church
service. As far as speaking in front of

crew, that was a mistake, especially
since some of my statements were

mischaracterized by the media.

Well, let's talk about your statements,
sir.

Did you say, as Reverend Haynes
testified, that in all these Muslim

the devil is fighting for power?

I believe the devil is fighting for
power all over the world.

Well, then why single out the Muslim
countries?

I wasn't criticizing Islam per se, but
we'd be foolish not to recognize that

terrorists we're fighting are Muslims.

So what exactly are you saying about
Muslims, sir? Objection. The general's

personal beliefs are not on trial here.
No, but his public statements expressing

them are overruled.

Please answer, sir.

I believe the vast majority of Muslims
are good people.

But I also believe that Islam,
throughout history... has frequently

some of its practitioners to declare
jihad, and that is what is happening

What does jihad mean, sir?

Holy war.

General, are you aware that jihad
actually means to struggle or strive for

something, such as the welfare of one's
fellow human beings, and is often used

in a totally peaceful context?

That's not how I've heard it used,
Colonel. Sir, are you aware that Islam,

Christianity and Judaism, only considers
warfare justified if it's in self

-defense or to liberate people who are
suffering from persecution and tyranny?

I'm not aware of that, no. Are you aware
that Islam, again, like Christianity

and Judaism, has rules about war that
prohibit killing children, women, the

elderly, and other non -combatants?

That's not the way the enemy's acting,
Colonel.

Sir, are you aware that Islam
specifically prohibits suicide,

bombing?

And why are they doing it? Because they
are not following Islam any more than

Timothy McVeigh was following
Christianity.

Objection. Counsel is testifying now,
Your Honor.

Withdrawn. General, don't you think that
you should know a little more about

Islam before you start discussing it in
public? Your Honor, while the General

may not be an expert in comparative
religions, that has little to do with

court -martial. Your Honor, General
Watson has spread false, hateful

against another religion, and in so
doing, has hurt our image abroad,

contributing to the erosion of support
within the Arab world, and possibly

increased risk for members of the U .S.
military. Your Honor, save it for

closing arguments.

Do you have any more questions for this
witness?

Just one, Your Honor.

General Watson, based on your
experiences as a military officer, do

that your statements on Islam aided the
war on terrorism or damaged it?

Colonel, I have devoted my life to the
service of this country, and I believe I

still have much to give.

You want to take me to task for being
intolerant of Islam. Well, I asked you

be tolerant of my beliefs.

All I ever did was speak honestly from
my heart.

For that, I do not think I should be
relieved of my duties in the Marine

Defendant and counsel will rise.

Will the senior member please announce
the findings?

Major General Earl Watson, United States
Marine Corps.

On the charges and specifications of
dereliction of duty and conduct

an officer, this court -martial finds
you not guilty.

General Watson, while this court has
found you not guilty, I intend to

to the convening authority that you be
formally counseled and ordered not to

assert your beliefs in public forums.

Despite your impassioned statement,

the right of free speech in the military
must be balanced with the primary

mission of defending our country.

There is no place for inflammatory
remarks about religion in today's Marine

Corps.

This court is hereby adjourned.

No hard feelings, Colonel. We're all
serving our country in different ways.

This was the scene today near Fallujah,
where at least 18 Marines had been

killed in a suicide bombing.

A previously unknown group called the
Fire of Allah claimed responsibility for

what they called a glorious victory in
this holy war.

Their message was delivered in an audio
tape, which was left anonymously at the

Al Jazeera headquarters in Cairo.

If you'll excuse me. This is the
deadliest single attack on American

since the war in Iraq began over one
year ago.

Well, this is why we need men like
General Watson.

Or not.