Let’s say there really is a Santa Claus. And, for argument’s sake, let’s say it’s possible for him to deliver toys around the world in one day using a flying sleigh. At some point, he’ll show up in the United States. In an unidentified vessel. Flying low. Starting and stopping in highly populated areas. That said, how much time will pass before an F-15 puts a missile right up Santa’s big, jolly derriere?

I’ll get to the title of this post in a few seconds…

The much talked about tape was released last week. You know the one I’m talking about, the one where Osama constantly praises Allah for total death and destruction. If anyone questioned Osama’s guilt before, there is no doubting it now. Especially the whack’s who thought the Jews were responsible.

But I’m still surprised at some of the polls that indicate how many in the Middle East think the tape is a fabrication of Hollywood magic. The polls are all over the board in regards to this, but it’s everyone from 1 in 5, to 2 out of every 3 people in the Middle East think it’s a fake. Yes the quality of the tape sucks, but I’m a little surprised that people would rather give Bin Ladin the benefit of the doubt than believe the tape is real.

But honestly, the most shocking thing to me is the casual mixing of murderous, terrorist talk with religious references and praises.

Osama: …due to my experience in this field, I was thinking that the fire from the gas in the plane would melt the iron structure of the building and collapse the area where the plane hit and all the floors above it only. This is all that we had hoped for.

Shaykh: Allah be praised.

I can’t tell you on how many levels this disgusts me. But it bothers me on another front. I wonder, how many people, especially Americans, will see the tape or transcript and make certain assumptions about Islam, or allow this tape to validate previous incorrect assumptions?

That brings me back to the title of this post. I was afraid no one would understand what they were reading so I wanted to phrase it in a way this “Christian” nation could understand. Islamic people are not terrorist, despite the unfortunate stereotype. Islam is very peaceful, probably the most peaceful religion on the planet. But while some American may use this tape to strengthen their misguided conclusions about Islam, those same people would likely not make the same conclusion if they heard someone praise Jesus over a school shooting. They would recognize it as clearly illogical religious fanaticism.

Just something to think about. Just a little perspective for a Monday.