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 ...
That Christian Troops are encouraged to fully exercise their First Amendment Freedoms during on Off duy Hours to include the distribution of Bibles to the indigenous population as well as conducting Christian Outreach and Bible study programs.
Oh you cannot? Oh because they have been denied their First Amendment Rights to practice their faith during their Off Duty Hours.. to spend their own money to provide Bible to Afgani people.. Oh so distroying Korans is a great offense and not protected speach under the First Amendment.. But Crapping on the American Flag and the US Government confiscating and distroying Bible isn't
JAGs.. they play the darn’dest games don't they?
US Afghan Bibles ‘confiscated’
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/05/200954191137422638.html
“Central Command General Order No. 1 specifically forbids “proselytizing of any faith, religion or practice.” The footage came from documentary filmmaker Brian Hughes”
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/05/bibles-destroye.html
The U.S. military is confirming that it has destroyed some Bibles belonging to an American soldier serving in Afghanistan.
Reuters News says the Bibles were confiscated and destroyed after Qatar-based Al Jazeer television showed soldiers at a Bible class on a base with a stack of Bibles translated into the local Pashto and Dari languages. The U.S. military forbids its members on active duty — including those based in places like Afghanistan — from trying to convert people to another religion.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Security/Default.aspx?id=516980
W
RE: “I never even heard about it until he commented.”
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“Same here.”
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Make that three of us!
But I do understand this very simple principle - yielding to a bully's threats NEVER results in anything but greater threats. In this case threats against our troops.
Maybe you are too old to remember this axiom.
This was a stupid idea for two reasons:
1. Is it going to change one moslem’s mind? No. No one in Indonesia, Paki, Iran, Syria, etc. going to think, “Wow, they burned a Koran, guess I better convert to something else.” In that sense, it’s even more pointless and futile than when they burned Beatles records because John Lennon said they were bigger than Jesus.
2. Does it provide ammunition to the islamappologists/GZM supporters to scream about “islamaphobia” in the US? Yes. Expect wall-to-wall msm media coverage about ‘how the right is inflaming hatred.’ It’s an unwanted distraction right before the election; like 0bama’s support for the GZM in reverse.
In short, there is nothing to gain from this.
Being stationed in the islamic world on a military mission is not simply a day job. The members of the armed forces stationed there have no right to do things off-duty that could could jeopardize the safety of the mission. Handing out bibles to people in a radically islamic country could provoke hostililty, especially since the US gov’t is repeatedly saying that the troops in Af. are not there on some religious crusade.
If handing out bibles was that important to the soldiers in question, they should’ve become missionaries instead in enlisting.
Trying to win “hearts and minds” didn’t work in Vietnam, and it won’t work in Afghanistan.
Ah, I understand the question and even why my answer didn't work. I do not advocate giving up any rights to anyone or anything. Not the Muslims, not even our own government. I do not even seek to curtail your rights. I am, on the other hand, cautioning that the exercise of Free Speech does have its affects. It is better that the affects of Free Speech be positive rather than disastrous. How we chose to use our rights are ours to make; however, we cannot be a responsible citizen if we blurt out whatever we feel like without some forethought to the consequences. We can use the same airspace to advocate some sort of decisive action against our enemies or even to propose some novel way of ceasing hostilities. We are not using our Rights wisely if our voice causes new or additional mayhem.
Now, if instead of taking the time to burn a Muslim document, suppose that church utilized that time to write letters of comfort to the families of fallen troops or called for a more thoughtful application of our military? Our Southern border calls out for military action. Wouldn't the airtime be better spent demanding that our unwise leaders fortify that border rather than inciting more Muslim violence through insult?
I never spoke in this thread to curtail the Right of Free Speech. I have been calling for a wiser and more meaningful use of that Right. The book burning is simply insult and taunt. It is useless, and even goes against Scripture. When a Christian church ignores its own teachings to make some useless and possibly life threatening gesture, I can't help but marvel at how that Church is attempting to shame the Muslims by acting just like them.
I don't think that any of the Muslim nations deserve the blood of our soldiers. I am all in favor of sending them back to the stone age and then letting them dig out on thier own. On the other hand, we are being invaded by real enemies from the South. It is time for our government to act that way. They won't unless we use our Free Speech to modify business. That isn't going to happen if The People are busy trying to egg on the bar room brawl.
Thank you for returning to the thread. I do enjoy your company. Every real Kraut like to argue.
Nope. Never thought is was a good one. I think the time is better spent calling for "freedom of motion" for our troops and calls to keep politics out of the battle. The time is better spent using the Freedom of Speech to call upon our government to utilize our troops in such a manner as to enhance their safety and to enable their victory on the battlefield.
It is better not to seek discourse with the enemy, but rather take that same time for collusion of a decent plan for their destruction.
A church is supposedly prohibited by its own Scripture to incite violence. That church would serve its community better by spending that time writing letters to the families of falled troops, or letters of encouragement to the ones still there.
Thank you for your persistnce in this thread.
We may have the FREEDOM to do things that are not the right thing to do.
There are things that are "protected" under the Constitution that are foolish, and would do more harm than good.
This is one of those things.
Burning Korans may be "protected," but that doesn't change the fact that it's stupid, and potentially harmful.
I oppose this irresponsible action from the standpoint of the protection of our troops, as a Christian, and as an American. It is wrong to burn books we don't agree with. There are other ways to fight Islamic extremism........and our troops are doing it right now.
An enemy force swollen with recruits by the appeasement that you seek. Gotcha.
To the point......your post made no sense. So stop pinging me, please. There's no reason to believe anything you say further will be any more logical than what you've already posted.
Thanks ever so much, and if you're lucky, maybe you'll get your face in the news when you participate in this irresponsible book-burning......
Your tactical reasoning is flawed. Theirs ranks swell because of the anger resulting from insulting acts such as the burning of their holy books. That useless activity could push heretofore nonparticipating Muslims into the fracus. How could you think otherwise?
What reeking dishonesty you use in support of appeasement of our enemies and to support your contempt for free speech by Americans.
The actual majority opinion upheld Chapter 378, § 2, of the Public Laws of New Hampshire, which stated:
"No person shall address any offensive, derisive or annoying word to any other person who is lawfully in any street or other public place, nor call him by any offensive or derisive name, nor make any noise or exclamation in his presence and hearing with intent to deride, offend or annoy him, or to prevent him from pursuing his lawful business or occupation."
It dealt with fighting words from one individual directed against another individual in his presence. You're busted. You should be ashamed.
I'll bet you're not.
Well then, at least we've identified our fundamental difference.
I think the time is better spent calling for "freedom of motion" for our troops and calls to keep politics out of the battle.
Then your beef is with Petraeus and not with Rev Jones, or me.
The ranks of those cowards swells in response to any perceived weakness. You know, like the presence of a quisling in our midst who falsely claims that the church may be silenced according to a Supreme Court decision that says nothing of the sort.
? You must have me confused with someone else.
Anyway, I'm happy to accommodate your request. Happy trails.
Clearly not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but amusing nonetheless.....
Happy Trails, Roy.........or is that Dale? ;)
Stay well.
You must be posting that to the wrong person. I guess we all make mistakes, eh?
This has been an interesting thread, true. And unusual in that I typically don't get into these long discussions as I don't really like arguing with other conservatives. I mostly post dopey pictures mocking our enemies.
I will also say that you are definitely in the majority, at least on national talk radio and TV.
I still see problems with caving in at this point and would like a non-mainstream group like this to do it and examine what the real consequences are - because I know that there will be consequences, just not as bad as you predict. I just happen to think that more good can come of it than most seem to think is possible in terms of seeing just who would actually threaten and even attack based on what we consider a First Amemndment right. I also don't think they should back down now that they've opened their mouths.
Something extreme like this is either 1) just a fringe event or 2) a tactic to raise awareness or disturb the status quo and make a point of simply being able to do it.
So I guess I want to see it happen for reason #2, the raw shake-up-the-inattentive value of it (many good people have no idea sharia is coming to America) as well as to simply show the enemy, particularly those here in the US, that we do have a First Amendment and we are serious about it. Sharia would take that away. I pray that no troops or church folk are hurt or killed because of it.
Now that the First Amendment is in play (even if this instance was a bad idea to begin with) I think backing down is bad on the principle of it. It actually IS important to win in this case IMHO. And no, I am not on the battlefield but volunteer professionals who can take care of themselves are.
Have a good day, FRiend.
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