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I'd love it if we don't have to tiptoe around things, but we are at war with extremists, not everyday Muslims, and by burning their holly book it helps the terrorist's cause. The whole point of being over there is to try and stop terrorism. If we leave it goes to hell.
I understand that. But the extremists already hate us, right? Presumably the reasonable Muslims don't want to kill soldiers because a single person in Florida wants to burn their holy book. If they do want to kill soldiers then they are per se unreasonable. Can we agree on that?
So that leaves us trying not to offend the very people who are already hell-bent on killing us. Does that make any sense?
As I've said before, I'm a diehard liberal, but I get Oz's and Betamanlet's points. This may be the first time I've ever agreed with them on anything.
First, I support the dingbat pastor's right to burn the Qu'ran. I don't think it's a good idea because it's a hick, redneck thing to do.
Nevertheless, while I understand everyone's fear that it will provoke the radical Muslims to attack our troops, we need to take a hard look at where that fear puts us. Why should we in America feel like we have to tiptoe around ANYONE'S religion? We are a country based on freedoms. The right to say what we want, when we want, even if it's offensive. If we want to win the hearts and minds of the fence-sitters in the Middle East, at the very least we need to be honest about who we are and what we believe in. What's the point of winning them over if we have to pretend to be a country that kowtows to religious extremists? That is NOT who we are.
Petraeus ought to point proudly to the pastor and say, "Sorry if this offends you, but that's how we do things in America. If you attack us over it, we'll go home and you have this sorry-ass country all to yourselves. We've already spent too much time and too many lives trying to bring you into the 21st century. But we'll still kill that f***er Osama Bin Laden if we ever figure out where he is."
As for those of you who are arguing that it's holy to them, that's fine. But we're talking about people who murder over cartoons. If that's what their holy books preach, screw 'em.
You posted basically the way I think about this...
What would be the reaction if an Imam decided to burn a Bible publicly?
I see a lot of you yanks whingeing about a Mosque being built near the old
Twin Tower site.
How would you feel if there was a public burning of the Bible, to counteract the pastors decision to burn the Koran?
Would you support the Imam's "right to burn the Bible", as some plebs here have contended in respect of the burning of the Qu'ran?
I would absolutely defend the right of an Imam or anyone else to burn a Bible. Not condone the action, but defend the right to do so. Why not? If they're trying to make a point, it's protected speech.
But even if the action made me sick to my stomach I wouldn't kill anyone over it. That thought would never cross my mind.
I think this is a great opportunity for muslims to demonstrate the tolerance they think we need to have. This would be a perfect chance to lead by example.
I understand that. But the extremists already hate us, right? Presumably the reasonable Muslims don't want to kill soldiers because a single person in Florida wants to burn their holy book. If they do want to kill soldiers then they are per se unreasonable. Can we agree on that?
So that leaves us trying not to offend the very people who are already hell-bent on killing us. Does that make any sense?
I think there are people on the fence that would be pushed to the extreme side because of that.
To your first point we are talking about extremists, not Muslims in general. When will you learn this?
On your second point, we want to try and convince those on the fence.
To your third point, something all over the media is worse than just saying Muslims suck or something like that.
If we're going to try and convince them to be like us, then let's be who we are. Freedom loving Americans who protect everyone's right to free speech, even when we find it objectionable.
I understand that. But the extremists already hate us, right? Presumably the reasonable Muslims don't want to kill soldiers because a single person in Florida wants to burn their holy book. If they do want to kill soldiers then they are per se unreasonable. Can we agree on that?
So that leaves us trying not to offend the very people who are already hell-bent on killing us. Does that make any sense?
Good luck with getting this through some people's heads.
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