Quran-burning could endanger troops, Petraeus warns

[teko]

By the CNN Wire StaffSeptember 6, 2010 4:49 p.m. EDT

Quran-burning could endanger troops, Petraeus warnsBy the CNN Wire StaffSeptember 6, 2010 4:49 p.m. EDT
Gen. David Petraeus said a church's Quran-burning "is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses."STORY HIGHLIGHTS
The U.S. commander in Afghanistan criticizes a Florida church's event
Gen. David Petraeus says it "could endanger the overall effort in Afghanistan"
The Dove World Outreach Center says it wants to warn of Islam's "hateful" ideology
Another U.S. general warns that the protest could have "second- and third-order effects"
RELATED TOPICS
Islam
September 11 Attacks
David Petraeus
(CNN) -- The U.S. commander in Afghanistan on Monday criticized a Florida church's plan to burn copies of the Quran on September 11, warning that the demonstration "could cause significant problems" for American troops overseas.

"It could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall effort in Afghanistan," Gen. David Petraeus said in a statement issued Monday.

The Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, plans to mark the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington by burning copies of the Muslim holy book. The church insists the event is "neither an act of love nor of hate" toward individual Muslins, but the event has drawn criticism from Muslims in the United States and overseas.

Sunday, thousands of Indonesians gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta to protest the planned burning, leaders urging the U.S. government to step in and stop the event.

The Florida church's event is planned for the upcoming anniversary of the September 11 attacks by the al Qaeda terrorist group. In a statement on its website, the Dove World Outreach Center said it plans to burn Qurans "to warn about the teaching and ideology of Islam, which we do hate as it is hateful."

The center said that although it plans to burn Qurans, its animus is not aimed at individual Muslims. "We love, as God loves, all the people in the world and we want them to come to a knowledge of the truth," it states.

But with about 120,000 U.S. and NATO-led troops still battling al Qaeda and its allies in the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban movement, Petraeus warned that burning Qurans "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."

And one of his deputies, Lt. Gen. William Caldwell, told CNN's "The Situation Room" that the event "has already stirred up a lot of discussion and concern" among Afghans.

"We very much feel that this can jeopardize the safety of our men and women that are serving over here in the country," said Caldwell, the head of NATO efforts to train Afghan security forces.

Caldwell said American troops "are over here to defend the rights of American citizens, and we're not debating the First Amendment rights that people have." But he added, "What I will tell you is that their very actions will in fact jeopardize the safety of the young men and women who are serving in uniform over here and also undermine the very mission that we're trying to accomplish."

"I would hope they would understand that there are second- and third-order effects that will occur that will affect that young man and woman who's out there on point for America, serving their nation today, because of their actions back in the United States," he said.

[teko]

so what you are saying is two wrongs make a right? Changing the subject doesnt make this smell any better.

[margypops]

heres my bit then and you can let fly at me .... I will say I dont like the idea buit I can understand why.....so folks were so many up in arms when the bibles were burnt last year .did we all have a thread like this going in a huge protest about the Bibles ...maybe I have forgotten it,could I ask why the military burned Bibles in afghanistan last year .....lot of Hypocricy and double standards as usual..If the Military want to be fair how about they count the number of bibles burned and allowed the same number of koran;s to be burned..tell me folks how come you didnt shriek out then....  

[adgal]

Children not being able to display their flag is ridiculous. That is a completely different thing from cultural or religious beliefs.  All Americans (and Canadians) should be proud of their country, whether their families have been here forever or they are new immigrants.  

One of our local schools is trying something out this year and personally I think it's a great idea. They are displaying various cultural symbols at appropriate times.  For example, during Hanauka (sp?) they display the menora and Jewish students teach the rest what it symbolizes, means, etc.  At Christmas it's Christmas Trees and Naitivity scenes...same thing, the Christian students teach the rest what the meaning is.  So on and so forth.  I think it is wonderful and will go along way to making every Canadian child feel a part of our country and free to practice their own beliefs.  I hope more schools adopt the idea.

I agree with adjusting in terms of learning the national language, living within the countries laws, etc.  To me that is what that means.  I don't think laws should be changed to suite any single religious group, and that includes Christianity.  They should be fair for everyone.  

As for the Mosque issue, I did not know that the info had been out there so long.  Now there is no question in my mind that everyone is being riled up for political purposes.  Seems some will do anything to win an election, including putting their own citizens at risk. Not very patriotic in my mind, but maybe that's just me.

[teko]

Now we get to have the radicals on both sides, duke it out and put all of us at risk as a result! Dumb!

[teko]

I watched the imam as well. And agree. He stated that if he had known all this was going to go on he would have never started it. I already knew that it had front page coverage in Dec 09, and at that time, not one protest. He also stated it was a political ploy, and I agree. Now aint that just something now! And as a result of all this rhetoric, someone will be hurt. Of course you know and I know, its just like politics and doesnt matter what the truth is. It shold have been left a local issue where it belonged, now look what has happened and it aint over yet. I think its ridiculous.

[Sarajmt]

When I say Immigrants, I'm talking about 1st generation.  My ancestors came over between 1690's and 1840.

There are schools in California where the students aren't allowed to wear the US flag on a shirt.  Or even fly the flag.  Instead some schools have Mexican flags.  Now you tell me, is that right??  Having to print forms in every language known to mankind even for those who have become citizens?  That really runs up the tab.  I just believe that at some point immigrants should adjust to the country they've chosen to live in.