Petreaus: Burning Qurans = Lives at Risk

Yes - especially when served w/ green milk for your breakfast on St. Pat's day!

Mama Scooterbug likes to be festive.

I hope that's food dye :lol:

I must admit that if this were a Christian Bible burning, this probably wouldn't be on anybody's radar screen, and that's how it should be.

Oh, it would get some attention, alright. However, I bet if someone burned the real US Constitution, it would get less press than this crazy preacher at the head of his 30-50 member congregation.

In a sense, the guy has made for lively discussion about what we find acceptable and unacceptable. It also gives everyone the chance to stand up and point him out as not being in the light of Jesus and the teachings of Christianity, just like many Muslims should do with the radicals posing as Muslims.

This entire hoopla makes me realize that it is really trivial in the big picture of the world. If the guy had a following the size of American Idol audience, I'd be concerned, but the only reason he has an audience greater than 50 people is because the news media is there. Around here, they must be struggling for news stories because tonight's Ch 13 news out of Panama City featured a story on Burning Man festival (which is way out west) and it is obvious that all of the news repeaters had no clue about what Burning Man is all about.

Oh, it would get some attention, alright. However, I bet if someone burned the real US Constitution, it would get less press than this crazy preacher at the head of his 30-50 member congregation.

In a sense, the guy has made for lively discussion about what we find acceptable and unacceptable. It also gives everyone the chance to stand up and point him out as not being in the light of Jesus and the teachings of Christianity, just like many Muslims should do with the radicals posing as Muslims.

This entire hoopla makes me realize that it is really trivial in the big picture of the world. If the guy had a following the size of American Idol audience, I'd be concerned, but the only reason he has an audience greater than 50 people is because the news media is there. Around here, they must be struggling for news stories because tonight's Ch 13 news out of Panama City featured a story on Burning Man festival (which is way out west) and it is obvious that all of the news repeaters had no clue about what Burning Man is all about.

Mmm, Burning Man. Been there, done that. Great experience. Closest thing to a religious experience I've ever had.

Oh, it would get some attention, alright. However, I bet if someone burned the real US Constitution, it would get less press than this crazy preacher at the head of his 30-50 member congregation.

In a sense, the guy has made for lively discussion about what we find acceptable and unacceptable. It also gives everyone the chance to stand up and point him out as not being in the light of Jesus and the teachings of Christianity, just like many Muslims should do with the radicals posing as Muslims.

This entire hoopla makes me realize that it is really trivial in the big picture of the world. If the guy had a following the size of American Idol audience, I'd be concerned, but the only reason he has an audience greater than 50 people is because the news media is there. Around here, they must be struggling for news stories because tonight's Ch 13 news out of Panama City featured a story on Burning Man festival (which is way out west) and it is obvious that all of the news repeaters had no clue about what Burning Man is all about.

That part I bolded, not only explains this, but ties in nicely to JDarg's posting of the Steven Weber article on HuffPo. "The effort to raise the level of sociopolitical discourse has failed miserably" because you can't make money that way. Or put another way, how would a show called "Extremely well behaved brides" do in the ratings.

What we have traditionally called 'the media' is struggling hard to stay relevant and make money (and most are not doing a particularly good job of it.) They are covering stupid stories like this because it drives revenues (which doesn't say much about us as an audience.)

At the same time. the Internet has become the great equalizer and anyone can become media-like without the investment in infrastructure, training and skill that traditional media used to require.

If I had a penny for every agenda based idiot acting like a pseudo journalist on the web, I retire and live in SoWal full time.

Oh, it would get some attention, alright. However, I bet if someone burned the real US Constitution, it would get less press than this crazy preacher at the head of his 30-50 member congregation.

In a sense, the guy has made for lively discussion about what we find acceptable and unacceptable. It also gives everyone the chance to stand up and point him out as not being in the light of Jesus and the teachings of Christianity, just like many Muslims should do with the radicals posing as Muslims.

This entire hoopla makes me realize that it is really trivial in the big picture of the world. If the guy had a following the size of American Idol audience, I'd be concerned, but the only reason he has an audience greater than 50 people is because the news media is there. Around here, they must be struggling for news stories because tonight's Ch 13 news out of Panama City featured a story on Burning Man festival (which is way out west) and it is obvious that all of the news repeaters had no clue about what Burning Man is all about.

Muslims are doing just that- all over the world, they denounce extremism.

I certainly hope that other religions don't look at all Christians as being like the Christian extremists. See, every group has them- there isn't anything "special" about the Muslims. Maybe they came just a little later to the extremist party.;-)

Muslims are doing just that- all over the world, they denounce extremism.

I certainly hope that other religions don't look at all Christians as being like the Christian extremists. See, every group has them- there isn't anything "special" about the Muslims. Maybe they came just a little later to the extremist party.;-)

World wide, Muslim extremists commit much more violence against supposed blasphemers than Christian extremists. There is simply no comparison. I don't care to look back 100 years. I'm talking about the present.

There are plenty of satirical books, movies, TV shows, magazine articles aimed at Christians. Way too many to mention. By and large the creators of these works don't fear for their lives. I can only think of a handful of such works aimed at Muslims. The creators have either been murdered or are on somebody's hit list. Imagine if Kevin Smith made a movie like "Dogma" aimed at Islam.

Mmm, Burning Man. Been there, done that. Great experience. Closest thing to a religious experience I've ever had.

Makes sense. I've always thought that religious belief had its origins with the ingestion of hallucinogens.

Makes sense. I've always thought that religious belief had its origins with the ingestion of hallucinogens.

:wave: It goes a little deaper than that.

(don't take that the wrong way, hallucinogens were definitely involved, but not at the particular moment.)

:lolabove:

" I currently am an equal opportunity adviser for more than 6,000 U.S. soldiers. I consider any action of religious intolerance that could create a further divide between us and the Islamic faith, and potentially put my soldiers in further harm?s way, to be an act of selfishness, not one of free speech. This is merely an act to receive publicity for a church that promotes hatred of others who do not follow the church members? beliefs. "

FYI this is his third tour and he is currently stationed in Afghanistan.

" I currently am an equal opportunity adviser for more than 6,000 U.S. soldiers. I consider any action of religious intolerance that could create a further divide between us and the Islamic faith, and potentially put my soldiers in further harm?s way, to be an act of selfishness, not one of free speech. This is merely an act to receive publicity for a church that promotes hatred of others who do not follow the church members? beliefs. "

FYI this is his third tour and he is currently stationed in Afghanistan.

Move our troops out of there, then? :wave: I wholeheartedly believe this is more of a media issue than the Pastor's free speech exercise. Our media can be viewed around the world through many outlets, whereas the countries in which we are fighting remain pretty tight-lipped. The flip side is they have no freedom of press, speech..........anything. If our media chooses to cover this event on 9.11, that's their free choice, isn't it?

Despite not liking it, our armed forces put their lives on the line for all freedoms good or bad that our Constitution provides.

Move our troops out of there, then? :wave: I wholeheartedly believe this is more of a media issue than the Pastor's free speech exercise. Our media can be viewed around the world through many outlets, whereas the countries in which we are fighting remain pretty tight-lipped. The flip side is they have no freedom of press, speech..........anything. If our media chooses to cover this event on 9.11, that's their free choice, isn't it?

Our media coverage isn't the problem, Lynnie, rather it is how Al-Jazeera covers it.

Besides all it takes is one guy with a video camera and it can go viral.

Despite not liking it, our armed forces put their lives on the line for all freedoms good or bad that our Constitution provides.

I am not going to ignore their valid concerns.

You can if you like.

Our media coverage isn't the problem, Lynnie, rather it is how Al-Jazeera covers it.

Besides all it takes is one guy with a video camera and it can go viral.

My first post on this thread was that there will many opinions on this issue and I respect that.

Al-Jazeera isn't covering events here and broadcasting there. Our media has made this viral. I believe it is indeed a valid concern; however, had our media not been involved, there would be no virus for anyone to assess.

My first post on this thread was that there will many opinions on this issue and I respect that.

Al-Jazeera isn't covering events here and broadcasting there. Our media has made this viral. I believe it is indeed a valid concern; however, had our media not been involved, there would be no virus for anyone to assess.

You are incorrect.

Americas - Al Jazeera English

Al-Jazeera indeed covers both North and South America.

You are incorrect.

Americas - Al Jazeera English

Al-Jazeera indeed covers both North and South America.

Mahvelous. Everyone is free here! Thanks for the correction. You do see the point, no?

Everything our country does increases the risks for our troops. I'd be more concerned about our government's actions than some small time preacher. As Lynnie says, getting the soldiers out of there would be a better way to reduce the risk. Instead, we have to go around and be politically correct and not say anything because extremists may take it the wrong way.

Is this preacher's actions wrong? It sure feels wrong, but hey, go watch the video of the beheading of Daniel Pearl and you will get some perspective of the scale of burning a book vs beheading people. Both are deemed to be actions by extremists, but there is a big difference between the two.

I guess I am an optimist and see the benefit of the "do unto others". I think we should be setting a good example, instead of getting in the gutter and being just like those who are unjust to us. Isn't that the Christian way, or was I duped in Sunday school?