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 ...
Petraeus probably does not understand that church? well.
This is only an open challenge for them to defy wisdom.
So, why anger the enemy by atacking his fundamental, if not misdirected, religion? It is not sound military tactics to piss the enemy off in such a manner. It is best to direct military action against the existing combatants, not manufacture more of the same.
To me, the church is doing a stupid thing that could possibly endanger our men. That is what I believe Petraus is saying.
Now, what do I think the majority of our American military personnel would say...
Untie our hands and let us win this thing. They'll like us when we win.
If he’s really only an enemy, that can be understood. Provoking an enemy has been part of warfare from time immemorial.
It gets sticker when you’re trying to play “good Muslim / bad Muslim.” While this tactic (which began under Bush, not Obama) may not have spectacular odds of success, it’s worth trying not to undermine it for the sake of a publicity event.
I never even heard about it until he commented.
Additionally, I don't think that any amount of ‘respect” for Islam or Islamists is going to change one damn thing about it or them.
Seems to me that we have appeased these people to the point of having them dictate what we can and cannot do in regards to their “feelings”.
Also, I do not think that it is wise for an American General to seems fearful of what burning one Koran might do. Hearts and minds? Nope, that is not going to happen anyway.
If America would unhinge itself from the United Nations and “international law” which it has been tied to since World War II, we would fight wars to win again.
This long, drug out no-win kind of war is the wrong way to go.
If we had really dealt with Pakistan back in 2001, we wouldn’t be bogged down now with Petraeus worrying about our ememies being angered.
Pakistan created the Taliban and Pakistani elements maintain it to this day.
So, why anger the enemy by atacking his fundamental allegiance to his leader?
I think the latter is what Petreaus is saying.
It is not about buring the Koran endangering troops. Burning the koran is endangering their “rules of engagement” as set forth by Obama. (he is CnC so the buck stops there)
Wow way to witness to the world. Are they trying to show the love of Christ or beat muslims over the head? Sorry not Christ like.
Israelis would laugh their arses off at what most here bitterly complain about as “appeasement” of the Moose. They wish they only had to soft pedal a domestic publicity event.
The subject, to me anyway, are the consequences of his comment.
And there are no good ones.
Oy. That’s not just apples to oranges, that’s sheer nonsense.
RE: I can see both sides, but IMO, it’s not the Generals place to comment.
I wonder what would have happened had Petraeus simply shut is trap up and let the whole thing happen locally. Would the the whole thing have not simply died a natural press death after a day or two ?
Does the General not realize that he is a high profile man and his every utterance is heard round the world, especially by Muslims who might not have even known about this ?
Your well thought out response has convinced me.
Now yer talkin.
When war comes, you draw your sword and throw away the scabbard.
Was that Petraeus speaking, or was he speaking for the Usurper in Chief?
Good point.
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