By giving this idiot face time with the media, you have already, in effect, allowed him to 'burn his Qurans'. In Afghanistan they have already started to riot and burn his effigy, and yet he has not burned any books. The media has fanned the flames of this little peanut - threatening that his actions will put soldiers at risk. But now they are at risk JUST from the speculation of his action.
The book is just a chunk of wood containing ideas. The ideas are like speech. Burning the book is just like disagreeing with the speech. Do you condone censorship? That is what you seem to be doing.
Some folks get it. That's why they draw cartoons against the big M. And they make movies. Then they get killed. Aren't you afraid of what is next that they don't want people to do?
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My pet theory is this guy is being used by a covert agency to set up a situation for a false flag attack so the MIC and banksters can profit by a war on Iran. This book burning will provide the excuse for a false Islamic terrorist group to pull off something like a dirty bomb somewhere in the US thus inflaming passions from the "great unwashed" for a war against Iran. Keep eyes wide open in the coming days (9-11 anniversary would be prime time for such a covert action).
Someone should substitute Qurans printed on asbestos, then when they won't burn we can claim it was a miracle by God!
I think Thom is trying to make the point that the book burning is the same type of act as burning the Bible: to many people this is 'fighting words'. It *may* be protected by the First Amendment but the Fire Department has disapproved all along - burning a stack of books as a real fire hazard. Pastor Jones bonfire of holy books should be hosed.
Organized book burning is far closer to censorship than speaking out against it. The natural human right to freedom of speech is twisted, mocked and even abrogated when money power and violence claim constitutional protection.
Organized book burning is far closer to censorship than speaking out against it. The natural human right to freedom of speech is twisted, mocked and even abrogated when money power and violence claim constitutional protection.
Sorry, I just disagree with the censorship part. I seem to recall a little Bible Belt burning ceremony with The Beatles records being the main event. Do you remember it? I think it was a statement against what the music meant to them. So what? I love the music and think that those people are deluded - with religion again, of course. Did it stop the The Beatles record sales?
I think we are very, very luck that The Beatles weren't Muslims or else....look out!
Thom did not find this guy and elevate him to a public figure. He has exposed who this guy is by getting the German story out, and it explains a lot about this con man. Because the flames have already been lit, accusing Thom of adding to his celebrity by exposing his past misses the mark.
Those who complain about Islamic sensitivity to mockery of the Prophet or the symbols of their religion need to recognize the sociology of the situation as West invades the Islamic world. Disrespect matters more than it would between equals where insults can be brushed off without becoming the bully's bitch. What would only be a regional or local story about another religious yahoo has real international impact.
Were he an isolated nutcase instead of part of a national wave of Islamaphobia with lots of stupid things being said, those on the other side of the NeoCon Crusade might not be so sensitive about the threat of a Koran burning. Were we more united and clear about our ability to separate 9/11 and a lot of other "issues" from fear and loathing of Islam, there would be less reason to fear the loathing.
Whether it is a "clash of civilizations" or visions of liberating the benighted Islamic world so "democracy" can flourish, there is a presumption that Islamic nations are backwards and run by thugs. This becomes the justification for treating them as inferiors. Leading to alliances with the thugs who can control a population that objects to foreign domination.
The logic of empire is always imperial. How else could Iraq pose a threat? What has Iran done to become a pariah? The double standard in Israel is European v. Middle East more than about religion. The superiority of the Western economy seals the deal. Or enforces it. Imperial morality claims the empire helps the people it oppresses.
There are plenty of reformers in Islam and the Middle East who decry the violence and primitive legalism that rises in oppression and threat. Iran and Iraq were both relatively liberal and very modern in the recent past. We are aligned with the thugs in Saudi and the emirates. We kindle the flames of reaction that make moderation dangerous in Iran. Who is at fault for the violence and hatred? It does not break down neatly into good and bad religions or cultures.
Those who complain about Islamic sensitivity to mockery of the Prophet or the symbols of their religion need to recognize the sociology of the situation as West invades the Islamic world.
Nice Tome. Anyway, again, so the invasion of the Islamic world is not the problem? The book burning is?! I guess when you speak of 'the Prophet' that really explains it all. As long as the human race clings to 'Prophet' thinking, we are doomed to have problems.
Who dug this guy up to begin with? Corporate media.
This is a great divider much like plans to build a Muslim center in lower Manhattan. It’s just the covert game of division, association, and fear.
Attempting to coerce the Nazi nut preacher not to follow through is the moral thing to do. He is obviously mentally ill and needs to be understood foremost in that light.
If anything, this is a national mental health system crisis.
The reverand just wants his 15 minutes of fame. Andy Warhol would be proud of him.