Of all the reasons not to burn the Koran...

[Enrique]

keeping the troops safe?

I find Petraeus's commenting on that Florida church really strange. Maybe I'm making too much of it, it is just one statement after all, but really. Is it really practical for our Supreme Commander to be monitoring Florida churches to make sure they present a positive image of America to the world?

That church is part of America, by the way. A lot of Americans hate the Koran and see nothing wrong with burning it. That's the country you are defending, Gen. Petraeus. Are you going to try to hide that fact from the world? Good luck with that.

By the way, what else can Americans say that might endanger the troops? I don't like where this could be headed toward...

[bushisanidiot]

1. Well, SOMEONE should step up and remind them that their rhetoric of hatred

is exactly what breeds violence against us. Do you expect republicon leaders to step up and say it to their own constituents? HAHAHAHA!

[AngryOldDem]

2. I imagine the people who attend this church are big on supporting the troops.

Well, if that's the case, now's the time to show it beyond the trite flag-waving and yellow ribbon car magnets. There is no reason to further put the safety of soldiers at risk. This particular danger can well be avoided.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. Ever hear the term "Any port in a storm?"

If any reasoning were ever going to deter these people, it's this one. You seem to think you were the target audience for these remarks.

[MrBig]

18. +1

[ismnotwasm]

4. Since the Koran contains parts of the OT

You'd think they'd want to save the bits they agree with. But you're right. Encouraging stupid with hate.

[Johonny]

5. I'm pretty sure his job is to monitor the battle field he's facing

While it might be a small local story here (it isn't national shows have spent time on it), it may not be in the Muslim world in which Petraeu's was given the job of fighting. I read nowhere were he said they couldn't do it, just that it was the sort of *hat idea that his opponents use to recruit no soldiers to kill our troops. Since I know doubt think he's right I see nothing wrong which him suggesting it. That whole free speech thing is another thing he's fighting for.

[Turborama]

13. This news has gone global. BBC World, CNN International, Al Jazeera English, Sky News & Faux

are all covering it with hourly updates and it's gone viral on the internet. The protests in Indonesia (where I live as an expat) are quickly growing in size and distribution.

This is not a "local issue". The whole world knows about it now.

[Bragi]

6. I agree with you

I don't like where this is headed either.

Loonies in Florida have every right to insult any religion they want to insult. Anyone feeling insulted can return the insult.

It's called free speech. It is one of the important liberties for which American troops are supposed to be fighting.

As for getting troops out of harm's way, I have solution to that: end the pointless war in Afghanistan.

[EstimatedProphet]

7. Yes, I think this is a valid reason

Mostly because it is true.

[Bragi]

8. Maybe everyone should stop bad mouthing the Taliban

Really, it must make the Taliban angry to hear themselves bad-mouthed across America.

I'm sure that an unhappy Talib is more likely to harm U.S. troops than one that is sitting at home, basking in praise from Americans.

So let's cut them a bit of slack, and start making the Taliban feel good about themselves.

That'll work for sure.

[EstimatedProphet]

10. WTF?!

Really, are you trying to say this is the same thing? You're IN FAVOR of book-burning, and you're trying to equate burning the Koran with annoying the Taliban? Here's the difference:

1) We say we are opposed to the Taliban.
2) We say we are opposed to all forms of Islam, and do so by using the method best-remembered as being used by Hitler and the KKK.

Who are you, Pam Geller?

[Bragi]

12. Not what I said

I'm not in favour of burning of alleged holy books, but I am in favour of free speech, including the right of anyone to insult any religion, if they choose to do so.

The insulted party is welcome to hurl back whatever insults they wish at whoever gave offense.

I'm not in favour of telling people they should curtail their free speech because it may annoy someone else who will then respond by harming someone somewhere. And I am in favour of telling such people that they have no right to harm anyone, and that they will be dealt with harshly if they do any harm to anyone.

[sinkingfeeling]

15. I intend to start dropping copies of the Bible into Port-a-Johns on football Saturdays. I know those

loos are well used.

[Bragi]

20. That would be protected free speech

Though you may run afoul of local ordinances, I have no problem with you doing whatever you wish with any religious object.

I would defend your right to be insulting to any religion you choose to insult.

[BurtWorm]

9. If the only way to make these idiots stop is to have them shamed into stopping by a general

I'm in favor of it. Idiots who go as far as these dolts want to go don't respect the First Amendment.

[sinkingfeeling]

11. Why do you think a small number of Saudis, under the influence of OBL, decided to end their lives to

wreck major damage to the USA? As a result of our over-reaction to that one day, we have probably already swung the sympathy of a couple of hundred million Muslims (and others) away from this country. If 'Americans' keep insulting and claiming Islam is 'evil' do you think that will change?

[Bragi]

14. Here's the good news

If you live in a country with free speech, then you are free to make your case for tolerance anytime, anywhere you want.

Using the same right to free speech as you practice, however, intolerant people in your country are free to burn religious objects and be as insulting as they want towards any religion they choose to insult.

[sinkingfeeling]

16. See #15. Yes siree, nothing like displaying your hate for evil in the land of the free. Thanks for

giving me permission to insult the 'christian' holy book.

[Bragi]

19. Not sure of your meaning

For me, you are absolutely free to insult any religion as it may please you to insult. You can count on me to defend your right to do so.

[TwilightGardener]

17. Well, perhaps if you had friends/family who were stationed in a Middle Eastern country, you

might think it was a valid reason. There's nothing wrong with reminding idiots that their idiotic displays can have consequences.

[Bragi]

21. Yes, non-Muslims may be in danger in Muslim countries

I'm not sure of your point, but as a matter of fact, non-Muslims are often in danger from extremists in Muslim countries.

Therefore, what?

[Capitalocracy]

22. I'm no fan of Petraeus

and I'm totally against the "keeping troops safe" argument when it's used to cover up crimes by the government, but in this case I totally agree. This isn't being done for some higher purpose, it's a group of Christians claiming to represent the U.S. saying they are against Islam and see them as an enemy. Is this enough of a reason to take some legal action to prevent them from doing this? I don't know, that's dangerous territory. But Petraeus is right to make the statement he did in this case.

[Imajika]

23. No cartoons of the Prophet either...

...that could harm the troops too!

Also, no saying anything negative about Islam on video or tape, we wouldn't want to risk harming the troops because one of our 300 million citizens had a few non-Sharia compliant things to say.

This whole thing is ridiculous. If some mob in Afghanistan burned a bible, no one would care. Why are we even playing in to this silliness? The entire controversy is just going to encourage other idiots to burn the Quran for the attention it might get them at home and abroad.