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If you're actually certain that you're hitting only a concentration of enemy troops... then it's pretty good because those steel pellets will go straight through somebody and out the other side and through somebody else. And if they're bearing a Koran over their heart, it'll go straight through that, too. So they won't be able to say, 'Ah, I was bearing a Koran over my heart and guess what, the missile stopped halfway through.' No way, 'cause it'll go straight through that as well. They'll be dead, in other words.

Christopher Hitchens#54

WarViolenceWarfareTechnologyWeapons

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker describes a bombing scenario where missiles penetrate everything, including religious items, ensuring no escape for targets.
In plain terms
He explains how missiles go through everything, even holy books, so there is no protection.
What can you take from it?
Modern weapons offer no sanctuary even for religious symbols.

Where it applies

  • military operations
  • bombing discussions
  • conflict zones

Putting it to work

  • understanding weapon effects
  • analyzing military tactics

Questions to consider

  • What protections exist in modern warfare?
  • How does technology change combat rules?

Another view

It presents a violent scenario without moral judgment.

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