Posted on 04/03/2011 9:02:11 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Terry Jones burned a Koran, and an Afghan mob killed at least seven UN personnel. Connected? Surely, but that hardly makes Jones responsible for murder, he told ABC News in a Nightline interview last night:
CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK FOR THE VIDEO OF TERRY JONES' STATEMENT
Terry Jones, the Florida pastor who oversaw the burning of a Koran last month, said he did not feel responsible for the violent protest at a United Nations compound in Afghanistan today that left at least 11 dead. Instead, he said the violence proved his point.
“We wanted to raise awareness of this dangerous religion and dangerous element,” Jones said. “I think [today's attack] proves that there is a radical element of Islam.”
As for the 11 dead, which included seven U.N. staffers and guards, Jones told “Nightline” anchor Bill Weir, “We do not feel responsible, no.”
Interestingly, I had a conversation about this with a family member yesterday. While I agreed that Jones was a publicity hound looking for attention, that doesn’t make him responsible for murder. The only people responsible for murders are those who commit them, and those who specifically incite them to kill. Any other position eventually wipes out free speech, free religious practice, and freedom altogether. If we held others responsible for the acts of every nutcase whose violent reactions may or may not have connections to something they did or said, we would have no speech at all — a point we made repeatedly during the Left’s Loughner frenzy, which they conveniently forgot during the Madison protests.
James Joyner warns today about acknowledging the “murderer’s veto”:
Should Jones have burned the Koran? No. But not because doing so might incite some evil people halfway around the world to commit atrocities against innocents. Rather, he shouldn’t have done it was needlessly hurtful without adding any value to the debate. Indeed, aside from generating publicity for himself, he’s likely generated sympathy for Islam and disdain for churches of his ilk.
But Jones is not the slightest bit culpable for the actions of others. Yes, he was warned that violence might ensue. But we’re not responsible for the evil, illegal actions others might take in response to our freely expressing our thoughts. Even if they’re ill-informed, half baked, bigoted thoughts. If we allow the possible reaction of the most dogmatic, evil people who might hear the message to govern our expression, we don’t have freedom at all. It’s worse than a heckler’s veto; it’s a murderer’s veto.
The responsibility for these murders lie with the people who committed them, just as with the murders and violence following the publication of the editorial cartoons in Denmark a few years ago.
CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK FOR THE VIDEO OF TERRY JONES' STATEMENT
Just to be clear...I am a proud supporter of the Nuke Mecca wing of the Republican Party.
I still don’t see Pastor Jones as anything but a selfish publicity seeker.
No, it was triggered by Karzai who made a statement denouncing the act.
You are the one who decided my criticism of Pastor Jones was equivalent to defending Islam...I never have and never will.
I might then be responsible for them being offended but I would not be responsible for their actions as a result.
Is posting a picture of a burning Koran the same as burning one? 
I don't think so.
If you are going to burn a Koran, is it more offensive to smear it with pork fat first? Does it really matter? It will burn better but it seems like a waste of pork fat.
If you burn a Koran and don't tell any Muzzies, how many UN workers will they kill anyway?
Inquiring minds want to know?
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
No, it was triggered by Karzai who made a statement denouncing the act.
You not acknowledging cause and effect doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Jones knew what would happen...he didn't care.
C’mon Travis. It’s worthy of discussion. Free men can take opposing viewpoints.
Maybe Jones knew something would happen, then again maybe he counted on the UN having some balls to actually mow down the savages when they did attack.
OK, people - we've GOT to STOP using that term - radical islam. There is no such thing as "radical" islam or "moderate" islam. islam is islam - cruel and merciless and evil. Those "moderates" are people who choose not, at this time, to follow their "religion". A good muslim is one who is what everyone calls radical. A bad muslim is a moderate muslim, cuz they are NOT following their "religion".
Exactly, it's as ridiculous as the term "Radical Nazi."
U.N.? Balls? And attacking Muslims? does - not - compute
Never said the pastor was necessarily smart.
Will do sounds like a perfect analogy.
You can’t be serious!
A bit of a stretch?
Have you forgotten that a CARTOON of Muhammed gets people killed??
Are you so disconnected on this threat we face to NOT believe that some day, they are actually going to say, as their latest excuse, INTERNET POSTINGS MADE US KILL INFIDELS!
Why is THAT such a stretch?
They alreay use a CARTOON as their excuse!
Next it could a Free Republic thread, such as this one.
which of the following two stories will the media express the most outrage about?
U.S. pastor says he will put Mohammed ‘on trial’ next as Koran burning sparks second day of violence, leaving 10 dead, 78 injured
Militant Muslim warns Royal wedding terror attack is ‘highly likely’
So, what does it really matter if he wanted publicity on anything for anyways?
the responses to His actions PROVED his words were right!
He should be thanked. Now, for the trial of the pedophile.
When Karzai denounces Muslim destruction of the Holy Bible, I’ll be impressed. *Crickets* . . . (thought so) . . .
“His stunt is doing nothing but getting people killed. (and BTW, his own daughter agrees with me.)”
Again with the blaiming the rape victim instead of the rapist. Terry didn’t kill anyone. He didn’t cause a need for anyone to be killed.
Islam is savagery practiced by the stupid and ignorant, pure and simple.
“I am a proud supporter of the Nuke Mecca wing of the Republican Party.”
I think you’re a liberal using such a phrase because you think that what the Republican Party is all about, which is a common misconception liberals ahave about Republicans.
I remind you that your boy Obama just attacked Libya.
Even your screen name seems to be calling Bush a “Texas Con Man.” If anyone is a con it’s your boy Obama, the mooselimb little big eared kid from Kenya.
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