[Update: Terry Jones late Sept. 9 said he was scrapping plans to burn the Koran. He was doing so, he claimed, because planners of an Islamic center and mosque near Ground Zero in new York had allegedly agreed to move the project away from the site.The Islamic center’s planners have not confirmed the rumor, or Jones’ claim.]
President Obama this morning called Gainesville pastor Terry Jones’ plan to mark the 9/11 anniversary on saturday by burning Korans a “stunt” that “could greatly endanger our young men and women in uniform who are in Iraq, who are in Afghanistan.”
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On Wednesday, the FBI released the following bulletin: “While the FBI has no information to indicate a specific attack has been planned against the United States or U.S. assets in response to the ‘International Burn a Koran Day’ event, the FBI assesses with high confidence that, as with past incidents perceived as acts of desecration against Islam, extremist actors will continue to threaten or attempt to harm the leaders, organizers, or attendees the event.”
The same day, Jones held a press conference to say he would not change plans.
Jones’ plans have triggered anti-American demonstrations, including Jones being burned in effigy, in Afghanistan. Watch:
The president’s interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos aired on Good Morning America. At no point did Stephanopoulos or the president allude to the parallels between Jones’ planned Koran-burning, which has been roundly condemned across the country and the world, and the growing support in conservative ranks for the movement started by Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich and Rudolph Giuliani to prevent an Islamic center and mosque from being built two blocks from Ground Zero in Manhattan–a movement equally offensive to “the notions of religious freedom and religious tolerance” Obama referred to when speaking of Jones’ offenses.
The full transcript and video of the interview follow:
STEPHANOPOULOS: Let me ask you about Pastor Terry Jones. He gave a press conference today. Says he’s going to go through with burning the Korans. Is there anything you can say to him to convince him not to?
OBAMA: If he’s listening, I just hope he understands that what he’s proposing to do is completely contrary to our values of Americans. That this country has been built on the notions of religious freedom and religious tolerance. And as a very practical matter, as cCommander of chief of the Armed Forces of the United States I just want him to understand that this stunt that he is talking about pulling could greatly endanger our young men and women in uniform who are in Iraq, who are in Afghanistan. We’re already seeing protests against Americans just by the mere threat —
STEPHANOPOULOS: What more could happen?
OBAMA: –that he’s making.
STEPHANOPOULOS: What are you worried about?
OBAMA: Well, look, the … this is a recruitment bonanza for Al Qaeda. You know, you could have serious violence in places like Pakistan or Afghanistan. This could increase the recruitment of individuals who’d be willing to blow themselves up in American cities, or European cities. You know and so you know, I just hope that, he says he’s … he’s someone who s motivated by his faith.
STEPHANOPOULOS:And he says he’s praying on it.
OBAMA:Yeah. I hope he listens to…those better angels.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, let me–
OBAMA:And understands that this is a destructive act that he’s engaging in.
STEPHANOPOULOS:I wonder what this must feel like from behind your desk. You’re President of the United States. You have to deal with the fallout. And he’s a pastor who’s got 30 followers in his church. Does it make you feel helpless or angry?
OBAMA: It, well it is frustrating. Now, on the other hand, we are a government of laws. And so, we have to abide by those laws. And my understanding is that he can be cited for public burning. But that’s the extent of the laws that we have available to us. You know, part of this country’s history is people doing destructive or offensive or harmful things. And yet, we still have to make sure that we’re following the laws. And that’s part of what I love about this country.
AD2010 says
To quote the Book that he is NOT burning:
Acts 17:23
“For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.”
Paul the apostle did NOT smash these people’s alter or statue…He utilized it to speak of Who God is and what He has done through Christ Jesus. Whether you believe this or not, as a Christian, I would tell this man to read the Bible for direction on what God wants him to do. Too many pray for a direction or a voice that goes against the written Word before they discover what it plainly says. As I can see many comments above have proved.
Try to find a surgeon that is a little off on his knowledge before you go in for an operation….
The gospel that Jesus brought was simple: We all have broken/violated God’s commandments/law so we deserve what God has written we would receive on the Day we stand before Him. But we are to communicate the Christ took the penalty in full that we deserved. This is Rosh Hashanah. We are to obey the Gospel not just know it from memory. What is the Gospel? You either know it or you don’t. You either are born again/a new creation in Christ/transformed or you are not.
You will know them by their fruits:Love, Joy, Peace, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Kindness, and Self-Control…to name a few.
Terry Jones should know this…www.whatifimPRETENDING.com
Sounds like he doesn’t.
Kevin says
The Great Hypocrite of our time, B. Hussein Obama choosing to take a hypocritical stance to further embolden radical Islam and condemn Americans for choosing to exercise their liberty of free speech is nothing new to this so called leader and poster boy for double standards. Where are his elitist liberal sensibilities when it comes to condemning the Cordova Project or condemning Muslims for not in unison condemning the acts of Radical Islam? Where was he wen just the other day it was reported on ABC that unsolicited bibles sent to the Afghanistan were burned because local officials believed soldiers were preaching Christianity!
The Great Rat Bastard has twisted and torn our country apart, pitting brother against brother, so to take our eyes off the crimes of Washington and their refusal to implemment policies and solutions unless it satisfies their political goals.
Monica Campana says
The Imam and Pastor have come to an interfaith agreement. Love thine neighbor. Kevin, have a blessed day.
Dorothea says
Kevin, the so-called Bible burning took place in Afghanistan well over a year ago. An American soldier received a shipment of New Testament Bibles translated into Afghan languages. It is illegal to prosletyze in Afghanistan and the Bibles were confisicated by a chaplain and destroyed.
Kevin says
Monica:
It is the truth that I usually do accept and care for my neighbors but not those sworn to kill innocent people and commit atrocities that would surely make you faint and mentally scarred if your eyes have seen what mine have.
Ok Dorothea:
I saw the story and thought it was recent. The facts are they did burn the bibles to placate the local officials and the rest of what you wrote is common knowledge which doesn’t make the act any better given the hypocrisy of Islamic leaders there. Our soldiers fight for the Afgan people, dying for their freedom yet the soldiers are not free nor are the citizens of the country.
So, your point was what Dorothea???
Dorothea says
My point? It is against the law in Afghanistan to prosletyze. Since the New Testaments were translated into Afghan languages, it is clear they weren’t intended for American soldiers. Whether you or I like the law doesn’t matter, it’s the law there.
NortonSmitty says
Kevin, I think the only thing that your eyes have seen that scarred your brain is too much Rush, Beck, Hannity and the rest of the Republican propaganda machine. Might be time to make that call to double up on the meds buddy.
Kevin says
NS: You are a profoundly ignorant person regarding the facts of my life or what I do with my free time. I am embarrassed for you to even breech such a subject without knowing me better outside of this website.
Dorothea: According to the soldiers, they were not proselytizing; they were not trying to convert anyone at anytime. They had the Bibles as gifts for those that were interested. Believe it or not, these can and are two different actions involving different involvement from the participants. Why is it people like yourself are so willing to rationalize the most twisted views on a subject but will not exert the same energy for situations as the soldiers?
over it says
WOW hahaha NS is a PROFOUNDLY ignorant person regarding the facts of Kevin’s life…….. Niiiiiice.
Kevin, it may be a coincidence, and I suppose it is possible that you have never EVER heard the words that are spoken by Rush, Beck, and Hannity. But the words that you type here are not dissimilar to the words that those fine gentlemen speak to millions and millions of people everyday. And I have been told that these people are SO popular, their ratings are SO great, that they must be speaking the truth. But if you don’t watch them or listen to them in your free time, then you really don’t care, so nevermind.
Profoundly ignorant………… ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
NortonSmitty says
K, I know your comments are getting increasingly shrill and disjointed, might be time to fins=d another hobby. And I don’t give a rats ass about sour experiences. Ignorant is ignorant.,
elaygee says
Maybe you could all keep your beliefs in imaginary beings with fairy tale rule books of horrors to yourselves.
over it says
elaygee: they can’t…………… The rule book says they have to nag everyone into submission. It’s helps fill the un-taxed collection plate…………..
Dorothea says
Kevin,
Did you check under your bed last night? You never know when a Red, oops, I mean an Islamic terrorist is hiding under the bed. Or maybe we should set up Japanese, oops, Muslim-American internment camps to keep us safe. Then we could deny African-Americans, oops, Muslim-Americans the right to vote. If you know anything about ancient American history, i.e. anything before you were born, you will recognize the sarcasm.
susan says
They hate us whether we burn the dam quran or not and they will continue to terrorize our nation. Who cares about their feelings. BURN THE QURAN . You have my support.
Our soldiers are already fighting the war , whether we do or we don’t are soldier are in danger every day from these animals.
JIM R says
Kevin
Kevin says
Over it:
I don’t listen to them, especially Sean Hannity whom is constantly focused on the President. I’m not available during their hours. Also I study about 45-60 hours a week to make up for what the younger student needs to do in 35-40 to make an A….and even that doesn’t help sometimes:(
My comments are uniquely mine. It is interesting to know that you have the time to listen to all those individuals, otherwise how would you be able to make the comment about the similarity of my commments to their’s? Its ok though, I won’t insult your level of intellect simply because you listen to them.
Kevin says
Jim, Jim Jim R…yes sir. what can I do for you???
over it says
Kevin, Uniquely yours huh? You must be a writer for Fox news………………
Of course I listen to them all. I watch Fox and and MSNBC because they are the funniest. Totally opposite and equally ridiculous points of view. I like to laugh to relax. And sometimes there is nothing funnier than people and their ideas. Please keep commenting on articles here.
JIM R says
Kevin.
It’s great to see you winning the battle against your former incoherence, your positions are now very easy to understand. very easy.
Kevin says
Hi Mr. Jim R,
I consider that a great compliment if you are being sincere and not mocking me. Obviously, I have a long way to go but I truly inspired to become at least a purple belt in writing and more importantly, critically analyzing my comments/reports for COHERENCE. I practiced and studied over the past year and a half. However, as you can see, I still have to defend myself against ad hominem attacks and ridiculing from certain people who, instead of addressing the more important issues I mention, fall back on attacking me personally and attempting to minimize my legitimacy through false associations and assumptions. Again, I am flattered and consider your comment a major compliment given your level of writing skills compared to mine:)
As a side note: I would be lying if I didn’t admit to liking Fox Business News. Not only do they disseminate important information but they have some of the best eye candy on their shows. Liz Claman is one excellent example! Who dare challenge the legitimacy of that observation!!!!!!!!!!!!
starfyre says
burn the books
they already wanna kill us all–this just brings them out of the woodwork,exposes them,and we can take action
pwnikkijamesp4 says
Top class site yours sincerely, Carylon Feyereisen