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.

[adgal]

Actually, even beyond that now.  Interpol has issued warnings that they feel retaliation attacks are imminent.  We Canadians have also been put on travel advisories and our consulates in the Middle East are on alert as well.  As your neighbors and allies, our gov't fears for us as well.  

Did anyone catch the interview with the Imam last night?  I thought it was excellent.  He did call Hammas terrorists and said he condemns any terrorist activity.  He also said they will be completely transparant in funding and will be vetting any donors.

He also said some interesting things...this story broke on the front page of the New York Times a year ago...not a word was said.  It's only now as we get closer to election time that this is becoming an issue.  He also named Rabbis who are assisting him (advice, etc.) so clearly not everyone in the Jewish community has issues.  He also said that they would look at moving it, but now have to tread carefully.  If they do, they are concerned about National Security as overseas the radicals are using this to "prove" to the Muslim nations that the US is at war with Islam.

Also, who do you consider immigrants?  Lots of these folks are 2nd or 3rd generation American..so are they still immigrants?  And what is it they are demanding everyone else adapt to?  We have a large Muslim population as well, and I have never known any of them to try to change MY life.  They just want to live theirs in peace and as they choose. I still don't understand the issue there.

[teko]

Yeah, well I just heard on the tv, they put a travel warning out for american travelers, as a response to all this crap. Happy Days!

[Sarajmt]

"I understand that,what I don't understand is how Muslims can get upset when a heck of a lot of people don't have problems with Mosques but are uncomfortable when they want to build one in Manhattan,I know it was not Islam that wreaked this horrendous atrocity on US soil but it was in the name of Islam.It would be like a person killing someone and then a member of their family moving in next door to the victims family, "

Very nicely said.

And I also do not understand why immigrants come here and demand that we adapt to them.  Why did they come here in the first place?  It's not real bright to move to a country whose mores you don't approve of.  It seems that we bend over backwards for immigrants (drivers license test in 14 languages et al) and do all the tolerating.  Where is the tolerance for our way of life????

[adgal]

You don't sound racist.  And I agree, 911 changed everything, even for those of us living outside the US.  

I agree that I also would not like anyone trying to change my way of life.  But I don't really see that as what is happening.  These folks are American citizens living their lives.  Yes, they have some different cultural beliefs and of course religious beliefs, but that is what the US is about.  All different cultures.  I do find it sad that things like Christmas trees, etc. are being taken out of schools, we have that here as well and I don't like it either.  But I guess I don't see it as political correctness, at least not here in Canada.  If we were strictly a Christian country that would be one thing, but we are not, so all cultures should be showcased.  I don't really see anyone trying to change or take over anything...there is nothing to take over or change.  Everyone should have the right to worship as they see fit.  Now, if someone came along and told me that I had to change my belief system or my cultural practices, that would be a different story.  But is that really what is happening?

[narla]

I don't agree with persecuting any race or religion due to what a minority do,I just look at both sides and I can understand why people get upset,I get annoyed when people come to Australia wanting to live in a free country but then they get upset when people that live there practise their freedom.We have a lot of people smuggling in Australia,coming from Indonesia,then we have them wanting to try and change our way of life and what we celebrate,why come here if they don't like the way of life here.And I,m sure it's similar in the US.The government calls it political correctness.
I don't like to be seen as racist,but there is a lot of uncertainty and fear in the world since 9-11.

[flmagi]

There have been many atrocities committed in the name of Christianity by the Aryan Nation, the KKK and all their affiliates, but we don't seem to have an uprising against Christians in this country. There are Christian churches near all the sites these extremist Christians committed their crimes.And we still have people claim the US is a "Christian Nation" (which it's not, but that's a whole nother story).
I have to agree with adgal, while many people are just upset about the location of the NY Mosque, all the hoop-la about it is giving the racists a chance to voice their bigotry.  I believe the same thing happened to the Tea Party. While many of them aren't racists, it gave the racists a group to join and vocalize their bigotry, which they usually have to keep behind closed doors.
As far as this Pastor's Quran burning day, he's a trouble maker, a bigot and looking for attention. I heard on the Today Show this morning, that he may change his mind if the "White House" gives him a call. What does that tell us? This idiot is just looking for attention. He should be arrested for terrorism.