Gen. Petraeus: Dove World Outreach Center's 'Burn a Koran Day' endangers US troops

Christian Science Monitor ^ | 09/07/2010 | Jonathan Adams

[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.

[carton253]

Then you and I will have to agree to disagree.

[ohioWfan]

Correct. I can read 1,000 words per minute with 97% comprehension.

I understood what you were saying about the Christianity of those who disagree with you and why you brought up Acts to buffer your argument, xzins, and I understand your avoidance in dealing with my response to what you said.

We disagree on this. Let's not make it personal, OK?

[dfwgator]

I never even heard about it until he commented.

Same here.

[carton253]

Personally, I think Petraeus is speaking for the Obama administration, but that is my opinion only.

[GOYAKLA]

This is in these United States of America where this “Church” has the FREEDOM to do what ever it LEGALLY wants to!
My Ancestors and probably yours, fought many Battles to make that so!
Other than your Freedom of SPEECH you cannot stop it!
Remember this THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!
Personally, I think burning of THE FLAG should be a federal crime but it isn’t!
So be it.

[ohioWfan]

I responded in kind, because it was what your post deserved.

It made no sense.

[alarm rider]

Yes, you have good points there. I once worked for a General when I was in the USAF as an aide. I can tell you that there were very political Generals, and moderately political Generals.

Any general officer that gets to a certain rank has had to play politics within the military. That's a fact. However, most general officers know that any public statement regarding domestic politics is a very bad move.

I have noted since the Clinton era, that more general officers seem compelled to shoot off their high ranking mouths. I have no idea why, but IMO the generals aides and staff should have advised him against making any statement on this issue. That said, there are times when aides and staff are as surprised as everyone else.

I would not want to be on his staff right now.

[skeeter]

That my point made no sense to you doesn't surprise me.

We wouldn't be disagreement if you understood it.

[ohioWfan]

If a group of people burning Korans is the same to you as a few idiots posting nasty things anonymously on an internet website, more power to you.

It's not the same thing, and underneath it all, I think you're smart enough to know that.

[dfwgator]

If a group of people burning Korans is the same to you as a few idiots posting nasty things anonymously on an internet website, more power to you.

You mean to tell me that if somebody here posts the same cartoon of Muhammed that was in the Danish newspaper, that if somebody over there catches wind of it, there isn't the potential to generate outrage and demands that FR pull the cartoon?

[ohioWfan]

Clearly there are those on this thread who are confused as to who Petraeus is, and why he would try to protect his troops in this way (short memories or abject ignorance).

I think it would be best for some of us to let them stew in their own bile and feed on their emotions, and try to leave logic and common sense, as well as protection of our troops out of it.

It's clearly not working here.

[Mojave]

[ohioWfan]

No. Use your head.

[Mojave]

[dfwgator]

Now you’ve done it!!!!

[ohioWfan]

I understand it what you are trying to do here, and it makes no sense.

I'm glad that my searing logic is not a surprise to you, skeeter. Your lack thereof is no surprise to any of us. :)

Carry on.

[Mojave]

I'm glad that my searing logic is not a surprise to you, skeeter

You burned some books on logic?

[mdmathis6]

Petreus ought to sit back and keep his mouth shut...this act could induce the radical Taliban to come out from behind innocent civilians and directly engage our troops allowing us to get at them there-bye making the current restrictive rules of engagement meaningless!

[ohioWfan]

I do believe you posted that to the wrong person, Mojave, as it has absolutely NO relevance to anything I've said or that I think.

(But it's a funny cartoon, so thanks for posting it to the thread anyway, even though you posted it for no apparent reason....)

[TexasRepublic]

Burning a koran is too tame. I suggest tossing them into filthy pigpens to be be trodden under cloven hooves.