PUT DOWN THE FLAME: Gen. Petraeus Speaks Out On Quran Burning: Freedom Of Speech Vs. Troop Safety
Judaism and Buddhism come from the Devil. (Terry Jones)
A very interesting situation is developing. Florida pastor Terry Jones, with a whopping congregation of 50, plans to burn the Quran on September 11. Protests are growing all over Afghanistan and the rest of the Muslim world. And tonight, something extremely unusual happened. Gen. Petraeus in a incredibly rare move, spoke out publicly on a matter of politics, and asked Jones not to conduct his scheduled burning, claiming it would significantly hamper mission efforts and troop security.
My views are without complexity. Fighting over religion is nonsense. Soldiers' lives matter. Don't burn the Quran.
KABUL—The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan said the planned burning of Qurans on Sept. 11 by a small Florida church could put the lives of American troops in danger and damage the war effort.
Gen. David Petraeus said the Taliban would exploit the demonstration for propaganda purposes, drumming up anger toward the U.S. and making it harder for allied troops to carry out their mission of protecting Afghan civilians.
"It could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall effort," Gen. Petraeus said in an interview. "It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems. Not just here, but everywhere in the world we are engaged with the Islamic community."
Hundreds of Afghans attended a demonstration in Kabul on Monday to protest the plans of Florida pastor Terry Jones, who has said he will burn copies of Islam's holy book to mark the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Afghan protesters chanted "death to America," and speakers called on the U.S. to withdraw its troops. Some protesters threw rocks at a passing military convoy.
Military officials fear the protests will likely spread to other Afghan cities, especially if the event is broadcast or ends up on Internet video.
Mr. Jones, head of the 50-member Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., said in a statement that "We understand the General's concerns. We are sure that his concerns are legitimate." Nonetheless, he added, "We must send a clear message to the radical element of Islam. We will no longer be controlled and dominated by their fears and threats."
Mr. Jones has been denied a permit for the demonstration, but has said he plans to go forward with the protest.
Rev. Stephanie Sapp, spokeswoman for the center, said no one from the Pentagon or other federal agencies had expressed concern or asked that the event be canceled. She did say that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had discussed security measures.
Pentagon officials said they were not aware that any Defense officials have reached out directly to Mr. Jones. But military officers said they hoped that Gen. Petraeus's statement—an unusual move since military commanders rarely get involved in politics—would convince Mr. Jones to change his plans.
Gen. Petraeus declined to elaborate on the nature of the threats or violence that could occur, but westerners in Afghanistan have been warned away from restaurants and other public places amid the rising tensions.
Other senior military leaders echoed Gen. Petraeus commentsMonday. Lt. Gen. William Caldwell, who oversees the effort to train Afghan security forces said he was informed of the planned Florida protests several days ago by a senior minister in the Afghan government.
Video: Demonstrations in Kabul
Honest question -- Do Muslims burn the bible in protest? I've seen flag-burning, but not the bible. Though I'm not religious, I'm always looking for the hypocrisy angle. And if Muslims routinely burn the bible in protests, that would make their complaints about Koran burning borderline irrelevant.
Sep 6, 2010 at 11:05 PM
Reader Comments (78)
at 1:41…
“We are here to teach this DOG a lesson. That he wishes to bark in Holland and insult the messenger and insult islam and the muslims…”
Are you starting to see my point...
"This is a farewell kiss you DOG!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fwt-87NJ8Q
Again with the dog insult, makes you think huh.
by Samuel P. Huntington
Foreign Affairs Summer 1993
http://history.club.fatih.edu.tr/103%20Huntington%20Clash%20of%20Civilizations%20full%20text.htm
Very important work on the subject...
http://www.hulu.com/watch/176514/charlie-rose-tony-blair-former-prime-minister-of-the-united-kingdom
OK, Heres the deal. Google Dars Toy Story, and let me know what you think. Yr a cool guy, but yr starting to Anoy Dar, tonight with all this Spam. You are starting to be like yr buddy "Ken-Boot", God 4 Bid RLR........................
Im still the clue-less shit-head on DB's site, but you are starting to push my bottons here Gobie. Your becomming no longer fun to work the crowd on Steves site. Your becomming Ken-Boot, and all the "Stupid-Shit"..................
I no longer see you as the plant "Heckkler" in the 3rd row at my show. whAre in fUCK do you come up with all this shit. Yr a better man than I am. It would take me a week to do what you do in one days post'es. You "Rock"...........I Guess ?
By the way, Ken was a bot because he only posted and was unresponsive like a dog. No chit chat, no human touch. You and I have talked often and it has been swell.
I post things that are big in the news or haven't become news yet. I am the one-armed bandit with musical arpeggio, paying out in knowledge and hearty laughs (when the fun isn't removed by site master).
Look above at the awesome quality of the comments. From Tony Blair to dog slurs. It's all good stuff.
Jim Rogers telling us to buy coffee and sugar...among other commodities...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOPY_gVKU3E
Today in the news...CConsumers starting to see coffee price jolt
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hLdQzzkk_vLW3OsMLzbo-eZnRKbAD9I3UMBG1
Coffee for December delivery settled up 2.25 cents at $1.9455 a pound Wednesday after hitting a 13-year high of $1.9865 per pound earlier in the day.
Coffee futures are up nearly 40 percent since early May.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/08/ap/business/main6846634.shtml
one and his idiotic act will be viewed all over the world. I think this is the whole reason for this religious fanatic's bonfire. With all the problems people are facing today, it seems insane that this asshole and his tiny herd are grabbing center stage worldwide.
I wonder what would happen if American Muslims were to have a Christian Bible burning cookout at one of their Mosques in Florida?
This is a serious question for you or another DB reader...
Why would Obama waste his time trying to talk to pastor out of burning the books? Why not just have Rahm talk to the five major media outlets (he lunches with them every week) and ask them to put this story in perspectiive and not report on such a local issue. They have taken a slow local news day in Florida and made it worldwide news. They have parked their trucks at the site ready to give the world the real OJ show we all seem to want to get out of this non story.
Any media hungry guy, perhaps the balloon boy's family will threaten to draw a crayon drawing of Muhammad flying in a balloon over the evil western empire of Disney World or corporate headquarters of McDonalds.
I don't get it, I really don't. I think this is an attempt by Obama to sure up the islamic vote in November. They are kinda pissed that he hasn't lived up to his campaign promises too.
My thought to your question is that BHO wants this to stir up the people. Reamber, goverment is waiting to declar Martial Law over anything they can, and the sooner the better.
If the people were to riot in Flordia it may spread and within 5-6 days the whole country would be fighting over one mans stupidy.
We the People, need to keep this from happening. The MSM will make sure this is live around the world, in hopes people will turn to killing one an other.
The good people on both sides are going to do a peacefull protest. BUT, the evil people on both sides may get out of control and turn uggly.
As to calling it off if BHO asks him too, maby he got to see down the barrel of a 50 Cal. already..........or "The Judge" 5 shot 410. Nothing good will come out of this saterday.
I think once the major media outlets have an issue out in the open that the sheeple are reacting to in a hysterical frenzy. It's game over, they won't [ "put this story in perspective and not report on such a local issue." ] for anyone, not the Pres. or any of his people. They're wasting their breath. The MSM are like Piranhas, once they have something to chew they chew it to the bone and God help anyone who gets in the way. Obama may be using this, and he probably is but his request is falling on deaf ears and he knows it.
FG, FS!! Unfair and Unbalanced, true to your word.
---
What does that mean...who are you mark cuban...
Hatred paralyzes life;
love releases it.
Hatred confuses life;
love harmonizes it.
Hatred darkens life;
love illuminates it.
----Martin Luther King