Islamic Jihad strategist and co-conspiritor in the assassination of Anwar Sadat, Abboud Al-Zumar, has begun his own “apology tour” in the Egyptian media, most likely to reposition his organization for the new political environment in Egypt.

“I’d like to apologize to the Egyptian people (for the assassination of Sadat) because we did not intend to bring Hosni Mubarak to power. Our goal was to bring about change and deliver the Egyptian people from the conditions in which they found themselves.”

There are two notable things here. First, Al-Zumar is not apologizing for killing Sadat or political violence in general, he’s merely apologizing for facilitating the rise of Mubarak. Second, in response to the interviewer’s attempt to humanize the killing of Sadat, Al-Zumar cites the fatwa against Sadat in what appears to be an iteration of the “just following orders” argument. It seems jihadists have more than just hatred of Jews in common with Hitler’s minions.

Unfortunately, the interviewer doesn’t press Al-Zumar on what their ideal replacement regime would have looked like.

Malaysian Christians seem to be making progress in a dispute with their government over the release of 35,000 bibles. The negotiation has taken an unusual turn, however.

[T]he Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) was told its shipment of 5,100 Alkitab—as the Malay Bibles are called—were stamped with the Home Ministry’s official seal, as per the conditions imposed for the release issued two days ago, without its prior permission.

The first requires the importers to stamp directly on the cover of each of the 35,000 copies the following words: … “Reminder: This ‘Al Kitab Berita Baik’ is for the use of Christians only. By order of the Home Minister.”
…
The second condition requires the importers to stamp a serial number on each copy as if to demarcate copies from the released shipment and to enable the book to be traced back to the port of import.

“This means that the Bahasa Malaysia Bible is now treated as a restricted item, and the Word of God has been made subject to the control of man. This is wholly offensive to Christians,” the Christian Federation of Malaysia said in a strongly worded statement today signed by its chairman, Bishop Ng Moon Hing.

Warning labels and serial numbers. I suppose we should be happy they’re not burning them. After all, the Bible is dangerous (Heb 4:12-13).

Bob Taylor, a former Marine aviator and the author of A Few Good Memories: Tales from USMC Boot Camp, is working on another book of sea stories, this time for flight training.

You’re invited to submit yours at his web site, Getting Our Wings.

Two stories in the same day suggest there’s something funny in the water in Pennsylvania. First this:

Authorities in suburban Philadelphia say a 70-year-old man was stoned to death with a rock stuffed in a sock by a younger friend who alleged the victim made unwanted sexual advances.

According to the criminal complaint, 28-year-old John Thomas of Lansdowne has told police he killed 70-year-old Murray Seidman because the Old Testament refers to stoning homosexuals.

Then this:

Authorities say a Pennsylvania driver rammed into another car three times, punched the other motorist and yelled “my mom is Satan.”

Odd, no?