Petraeus is an idiot to show respect to that book. Can anyone imagine Ike or Patton condemning the burning of copies of Mein Kampf?
If things are so silly, that a general actually believe the best way to protect the troops is to act like the enemy’s philosophical literature is worthy of respect,,, then we might as well come home.
The best way to protect the troops is for them to inspire total fear. But we can’t do that because the enemy knows we can’t use supporting arms, and if we do too well, or even accidently kill a “civilian”, the FBI and our generals will prosecute.
And yes,,i have time.
And during WWII, Emperor Hirohito, who was considered a God by the Japanese, was consistently mocked in the US press, I don’t think FDR made any mention that we couldn’t insult the Emperor.