This is absolutely, positively going to be the last A.J. post on the subject of Mosques or Qurans or Korans or whatever for two reasons...
1. It has reached a level of absurdity (see below) that can no longer be contained within this blog.
2. We've let ourself get too wrapped up in these stories and things are are getting a little tense around here, going to lighten it up a bit.
President Obama has weighed in on the book-burning issue . He told ABC...
"Look, this is a recruitment bonanza for Al Qaida...You could have serious violence in places like Pakistan and Afghanistan."
As opposed to the bastions of peace and civility that those two countries usually are.
Why do we have to explain our lunatics to their lunatics? It gets worse. From CNN.com
"Discussions are taking place within the Obama administration about the possibility of intervening, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters Thursday. Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said the possibility of calling Jones[the wacky book burner] is under consideration, and that Defense Secretary Robert Gates was participating in the discussions."
The fear of offending their lunatics has put the leader of the free world in a position where he is considering the possibility of trying to talk down a whiskey-tango, backwater pastor with a flock of 50. Oh the humanity. Obama had more to say to ABC...
"As commander in 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 ... this is a destructive act that he's engaging in."
Yeah 'cause otherwise American soldiers are getting flowers thrown at them. Things were going swimmingly 'til the Crazy Christians got involved. Pastor Jones had this to say, from CNN...
"The general[Petraeus] needs to point his finger to radical Islam and tell them to shut up, tell them to stop, tell them that we will not bow our knees to them," Jones said on CNN's "AC360." "We are burning the book. We are not killing someone. We are not murdering people."
He's got a point...crap.
Our loonies burn books. Our loonies dress in civil war garb, march around fields all day and then have a pig-roast. Our loonies put on nice sneakers and commit suicide whenever a comet comes a' callin.
Their loonies...
I'm tapping out. Stay tuned.
Annoying Joe...I know what you're going to say, but didn't Hitler burn books too?? Anyhow, by making such a HUGE freaking deal about this, the White House is just fueling the proverbial fire on both sides. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteGreat point. See my post "You're not helping."
ReplyDeleteBook-burning on any level is just plain silly, but with the Nazi example - I think that was more of a solidification of power and a further subjugation of a people. This is just some nut trying (and succeeding)to get attention.
And yes, by even acknowledging this, Obama lends credence and credibility where none should exist.
I read a couple of articles today about the Florida minister promising to forego Quran burning if the mosque builders will consider relocation. Who does this guy think he is? Look, I am definitely not in favor of a mosque being built at Ground Zero, but I am also not in favor of redneck ministers who think they rule the world.
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing our country change drastically over the years, it saddens me that we have forgotten how to be united. What happened to patriotism and working to protect American interests? The squabbling just weakens us.
ReplyDeleteIrving - Not only squabbling but squabbling over the most inane things. I think it is important to comment not so much on the story itself, but on the absurdity of the story relative to the large amount of attention it receives
ReplyDeleteWell put. If I burned a Quran in my backyard, nobody would notice. But, when you give a nut airtime, WWIII breaks loose. No exposure, no power. Will the media please stop entertaining these people?
ReplyDeleteReminds me of the song 99 Red Balloons. Two kids set some balloons free. Before you know it, the American president is annihilating the world because he considers it a threat. Pretty insightful song if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteAnon - I like the German version.
ReplyDeleteIrving - Who's to blame? Is the media forcing this stuff down our throats or are they simply giving the rubes (us) what they want.
Well, I think we are all to blame. Look, I realize we could stop reading newspapers and watching t.v., but let's face it...when the media focuses on Quran burning, the swine flu, or WPDs in Iraq, an illusion is created. This illusion gives the impression that these issues will overtake the planet.
ReplyDeleteWhen every other story alludes to book burning, the world starts to think that all Americans are heating their homes with Qurans.
sorry typo...I meant WMDs
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many BTU's a Quran puts out...
ReplyDeleteYou're right, fear is definitely the predominant emotion conveyed by the news, papers, etc. And boy do we gobble it up.
Yes, indeed. You are quite right. Fear is what drove the McCarthy Era, when supposed Communists were being weeded out of society. Or even the Salem Witch trials, when innocent people were burned at the stake without true cause. Each generation has its own scapegoat, it seems. When we start judging individuals based on one common characteristic, we only create hysteria.
ReplyDeleteA.J.- check out a movie called "My Name is Khan". It is an interesting commentary on the Muslim experience in America. Let me know your thoughts.
ReplyDeletewill do, thanks
ReplyDelete