Friday, September 10, 2010

Burning the Koran and Freedom of Speech?

Mark Absher
9-10-10
11:00 AM
Dominating the news lately has been this preacher from Gainesville Florida and his planned Koran burning. Now, the world is reacting. In an article from the Sydney Morning Herald, it documents some of the leaders of the world and their reaction. The normally reserved Canadians made mention of how it would fan the “flames of intolerance.” The Canadians worried for the safety of their small-armed contingent in Afghanistan if the burning took place. The Pakistani government called it a “despicable” act. In Iraq, President Al-Maliki said it would be used as a “pretext for me killings.” So with all this, and more, international outcry, what would happen? At the time of this writing, the burning is suspended, though “Pastor” Terry Jones said it was still a possibility.
Terry Jones is the “Pastor” of a small church known as the Dove World Outreach Center. This is an ironic name, as the dove is usually a symbol of peace. The church and this supposed holy man seem to be using this issue to try and get publicity, get their message of hate of Islam, and to get the Islamic Center several blocks from ground zero moved. As the article brings out the world is opposed to this man’s plans. Yet, the fact is if he wants to he can. This is what makes America great and the envy of the world. I deplore his intentions and the probable ramifications. The fact remains though, people in the same countries that are condemning the burning have repeatedly through the years burned the flag and besmirched “Christianity.” When they do this, do American zealot’s suicide bomb their markets, buildings, and schools? No. Yet this is what we are fearful of as retribution. It seems to be a hypocritical stance by much of the world. Can’t we all just get along? Let me be frank, I think this preacher is an idiot, he speaks worse than W Bush, and sounds asinine in his arguments, but he has constitutional grounds.



http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/world-condemns-planned-us-koran-burning-20100910-153g6.html

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