Truly Moderate Muslims Would Embrace First Amendment Rights as Demonstration of Acculturation
September 7, 2010 - San Francisco, CA - PipeLineNews.org - In a substantial departure from a policy of remaining aloof on domestic issues, on Monday Afghan theater commander General David Petraeus criticized the intention of a Florida church to burn copies of the Qur'an as a 9/11 statement this coming Saturday, saying "it could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall effort in Afghanistan."
The Gainesville, Florida Dove World Outreach Center plans to carry through with the protest despite mounting criticism and threats.
Two elements of this story are of primary concern.
1. General Petraeus has absolutely no authority to wade into stateside issues, period. It's not in his job description, nor is it wise. General Petraeus has a war to run, one which isn't going particularly well. Though he inherited this war [from Obama's hand-picked commander], the longer he allows the current and thoroughly ridiculous rules of engagement which hobble U.S. forces to remain in effect, the more he paints the United States into a corner from which it can't honorably escape.
2. The leaders of the Dove church have every right to protest the 9th anniversary of the Muslim attack on the United States in whatever manner they deem fit, regardless of how and by whom their actions are criticized, as long as it is consistent with our Constitution.
A nation and culture which celebrates extreme political speech - solemnly declaring a crucifix in a jar of urine, a Piss Christ, as legitimate artistic expression - can certainly be equally tolerant of the burning of a Qur'an.
The efforts of the media and not-so-moderate Muslim leaders to excoriate those who are planning to carry through with this [in our opinion, ill advised] act of protest are fully in keeping with larger efforts to Islamize the West through incrementally making it Shari'a compliant.
It is the right of this society to dictate what constitutes a legitimate demonstration of the freedom of expression, not alien and seditious theocratic ideologies.
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