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Gen. Petraeus: Dove World Outreach Center's 'Burn a Koran Day' endangers US troops
Christian Science Monitor ^ | 09/07/2010 | Jonathan Adams

Posted on 09/07/2010 6:19:50 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

The United States' top commander in Afghanistan has warned that a planned Koran-burning event in Florida could put US troops in danger.

Gen. David Petraeus added his voice to mounting protests from both the US and abroad over the Dove World Outreach Center's plans to burn Korans on Saturday to mark the anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks. His comments ratcheted up the pressure on once-obscure pastor Terry Jones to call off the event.

The controversy comes as some 120,000 US and allied troops are waging a counter-insurgency campaign against the Taliban in Afghanistan, a campaign whose goals include winning support for the US-backed government from the largely Muslim population.

General Petraeus said that burning Korans "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," according to CNN.

""It could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall effort in Afghanistan," Gen. David Petraeus said in a statement issued Monday ...

"Even the rumor that it might take place has sparked demonstrations such as the one that took place in Kabul yesterday," he said. "Were the actual burning to take place, the safety of our soldiers and civilians would be put in jeopardy and accomplishment of the mission would be made more difficult."

"Mr. Jones, the pastor of the center in Gainesville, Florida, has touted the activity as "International Burn the Koran Day." Jones also authored a book titled "Islam is of the Devil," which has a Facebook page and Twitter account.

(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: burning; dove; islam; koran; obama; petraus; politics; searchandfind; waronterror
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To: carton253

It is you who are ignoring the consequences.


181 posted on 09/07/2010 8:44:36 AM PDT by skeeter
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To: skeeter

They are offended that we even exist in the first place.


182 posted on 09/07/2010 8:45:38 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: ohioWfan
What if our troops die because of this 'tit-for-tat' that you are supporting? Is it worth it to you to do it then??

I believe that our troops are equipped to deal with wartime situations and will defend themselves valiantly under fire from anyone at anytime. Some are dying now, which is to be regretted. More will die whether or not korans are burned on 9-11, also to be regretted, but Freedom isn't Free. This is the primary lesson that needs to be learned.

If we do not wish anyone to be in harm's way then we should not be there at all. But our volunteer forces *are* there and I have every faith that those putting themselves in harm's way for ME and my family and YOU and your family would not want us to surrender our unalienable God-given and Constitutionally-protected rights under ANY circumstances. To do so would render their noble sacrifice meaningless.

I hate war. America is a peaceful country. But the war was escalated on 9/11/01 and we are still fighting it as best we can given the current feckless administration.

The direct answer to your question is that as long as a fully volunteer force is willing to fight to the death to ensure my personal liberties then I am not going to minimize their courage or their ultimate sacrifice by willingly surrendering exactly those rights they are fighting for. That would not be "worth it" to anybody, especially those who may be killed on our mutual behalf.

And if we have to engage in symbolic warfare against our enemies then so be it; our troops can and will defend themselves well. I happen to think that, at this particular moment, burning the korans is a *good* tactic to help draw otherwise hidden enemies out of the woodwork. But that is another post. This one is too long already.

183 posted on 09/07/2010 8:46:09 AM PDT by paulycy (Demand Constitutionality: Islamo-Marxism is Evil.)
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To: xzins

And there was clear evidence that Paul wisely picked and chose such events, and that to liken that with today’s occurrence is not even like comparing apples and oranges. It’s like comparing apples and quasars.


184 posted on 09/07/2010 8:46:53 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
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To: carton253

Oh,in what way?


185 posted on 09/07/2010 8:47:01 AM PDT by afnamvet (Patriots Rising)
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To: paulycy

Exactly, never forget, they started it. During WWII we regularly mocked Emperor Hirohito, who was considered to be a God by the Japanese.


186 posted on 09/07/2010 8:47:24 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: HiTech RedNeck
self-promoting

Good to know that some know they're actually thinking. It's always helpful to mind-readers available.

187 posted on 09/07/2010 8:47:36 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and proud of it. Those who truly support our troops pray for their victory!)
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To: HiTech RedNeck
self-promoting

Good to know that some know what they're actually thinking. It's always helpful to mind-readers available.

188 posted on 09/07/2010 8:47:54 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and proud of it. Those who truly support our troops pray for their victory!)
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To: HiTech RedNeck
self-promoting

Good to know that some know what they're actually thinking. It's always helpful to mind-readers available.

189 posted on 09/07/2010 8:47:54 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and proud of it. Those who truly support our troops pray for their victory!)
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To: paulycy

Why aren’t we seeing things like Roe v. Wade burnings? Someone riddle me that one.


190 posted on 09/07/2010 8:48:40 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
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To: xzins

It sounds self promoting. Very similar to the Westburros.


191 posted on 09/07/2010 8:49:20 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
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To: ohioWfan

Reading comprehension is a friend.


192 posted on 09/07/2010 8:51:09 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and proud of it. Those who truly support our troops pray for their victory!)
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To: xzins

Also good to know you’re being consistent. Not content to take Acts 19 out of context, you now take what I said out of context!


193 posted on 09/07/2010 8:51:26 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
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To: SeekAndFind
All the "Dove World Outreach Center" is going to prove is that Americans can be just as mindlessly fanatical as anybody else.

This act a slap in the face of true Christianity. It's on the level of that preacher who prayed for the death of Obama.

People say that radical Islamists are going to hate us anyway. If that's the case then why not try to behave in a blameless manner? Why contribute to a cycle of hate? Why stoop to their level? Why set up a stumbling block for relations with the non-radical adherents of Islam?

194 posted on 09/07/2010 8:52:01 AM PDT by Route797
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To: xzins

Too bad you can’t seem to make that friend.


195 posted on 09/07/2010 8:52:17 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
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To: dfwgator
By that logic, just posting here at Free Republic could put our troops at risk, if anyone over there reads a lot of these threads.

Bingo.

196 posted on 09/07/2010 8:52:54 AM PDT by Mojave (Ignorant and stoned - Obama's natural constituency.)
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To: Route797

Aww, that “blameless” stuff is old fashioned. It was long crossed out of many bibles.


197 posted on 09/07/2010 8:54:24 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
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To: UCANSEE2

Can’t believe I hadn’t seen this yet - my heart breaks for this poor decision on the part of somebody who couldn’t be bothered to just send them back with a note.

Colonel, USAFR


198 posted on 09/07/2010 8:54:29 AM PDT by jagusafr ("We hold these truths to be self-evident...")
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To: HiTech RedNeck

It could be they have some spare marshmallows to roast.

And it could be they’re tired of everyone being afraid of the muzzies and are setting an example.

And it could just be they want to see if the killers will actually attack over exercise of free speech.

And it could be they want to see if the Fed will attempt to abuse its power to prevent free speech.

All of which are reasons for an allah-bonfire.


199 posted on 09/07/2010 8:54:49 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and proud of it. Those who truly support our troops pray for their victory!)
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To: xzins

Cowards hate and resent brave men.


200 posted on 09/07/2010 8:54:49 AM PDT by Mojave (Ignorant and stoned - Obama's natural constituency.)
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