Islamic 'Convert or Die' Variation No.26

The reputed Al Quaida leader in Indonesia - a wingnut cleric Abu Bakar Bashir - is calling upon President Bush and Australian PM John Howard to convert to Islam as "the only way to save their souls."

He also thinks the families grieving over their losses from the 2002 Bali bombings would feel a whole lot better if they would convert for "salvation and peace."

Bashir, 68, was released from prison Wednesday after completing a 26- month sentence for conspiracy in the Bali bombings that killed 202 people, was at a hardline Islamic boarding school that has spawned some of Southeast Asia's deadliest terrorists.

The firebrand cleric also declined to directly condemn young men who carry out bombings in Indonesia in the name of Islam, saying they he still considered them "holy warriors," because they believed they were defending the oppressed.

But he also said they misguided and wrong to use bombs in a country at peace.

"Why use bombs in a non-conflict zone, preaching is enough," he said.

First of all, 26 months is a joke as far as conspiracy sentences go. Someone may be buying his line of "oh, let us preach peace" bull----, but we aren't. Not that there is anything wrong with preaching peace, mind you, but we have seen little of it from Muslim clerics, particularly those who make excuses for mass murderers and who provide leadership for terrorist organizations.

Better yet, we would propose that Mr. Bashir devote the next 12 months of his life to a study of the Holy Bible with particular attention to the teachings of one Jesus of Nazareth.

Convert, Mr. Bashir, and truly live.