General says Koran burning endangers U.S. military, pastor says we must send message

Wall Street Journal: “The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan said the planned burning of Qurans on Sept. 11 by a small Florida church could put the lives of American troops in danger and damage the war effort . . . Mr. Jones, head of the 50-member Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., said in a statement that ‘We understand the General’s concerns. We are sure that his concerns are legitimate.’ Nonetheless, he added, ‘We must send a clear message to the radical element of Islam. We will no longer be controlled and dominated by their fears and threats.’”

AP – Church rebuffs military concerns on Quran burning: “We think it’s time to turn the tables, and instead of possibly blaming us for what could happen, we put the blame where it belongs – on the people who would do it,” he said. “And maybe instead of addressing us, we should address radical Islam and send a very clear warning that they are not to retaliate in any form.”