Yes! The FL pastor is allowed to burn a Koran and enflame the middle east.
33%
No! This is aiding and abetting the enemy.
67%
Comments
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
By webmaster
Hello All
Thom's blog in this space and moving to a new home.
Please follow us across to hartmannreport.com - this will be the only place going forward to read Thom's blog posts and articles.
Images of Thom
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"In an age rife with media-inspired confusion and political cowardice, we yearn for a decent, caring, deeply human soul whose grasp of the problems confronting us provides a light by which we can make our way through the quagmire of lies, distortions, pandering, and hollow self-puffery that strips the American Dream of its promise. How lucky we are, then, to have access to the wit, wisdom, and willingness of Thom Hartmann, who shares with us here that very light, grown out of his own life experience."
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"Thom Hartmann is a literary descendent of Ben Franklin and Tom Paine. His unflinching observations and deep passion inspire us to explore contemporary culture, politics, and economics; challenge us to face the facts of the societies we are creating; and empower us to demand a better world for our children and grandchildren."
From Screwed:
"I think many of us recognize that for all but the wealthiest, life in America is getting increasingly hard. Screwed explores why, showing how this is no accidental process, but rather the product of conscious political choices, choices we can change with enough courage and commitment. Like all of Thom’s great work, it helps show us the way forward."
Due to a massive laps in good judgement and a nonexistent tolerance for others religious beliefs this so called pastor does have a right to burn this sacred text. Only the ignorant would choose to do so. I suggest he reeducate himself and pray no one returns the favor. The key is tolerance and understanding. ALL WE NEED IS LOVE.
Regardless of what the rest of the world may think, this is America. We have a right to express our opinions. If anyone disagrees with that opinion, they are free to express that disagreement. A proper response might be to burn bibles. Killing someone who had nothing to do with koran burning, however, is barbaric. It is time for the muslim world to grow up and get a sense of humor, or they will always be the butt of barbarian jokes and stereotyped as violent extremists.
Regardless of how some arrogant Americans feel that we can do whatever we want without consequences and that muslims should get a sense of humor(incredibly ignorant thing to say), the burning of another faith's sacred text is not against our law UNLESS it leads to lawless acts.
Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395 U.S. 444 (1969), was a United States Supreme Court case based on the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It held that government cannot punish inflammatory speech unless it is directed to inciting and likely to incite imminent lawless action. In particular, it overruled Ohio's criminal syndicalism statute, because that statute broadly prohibited the mere advocacy of violence. In the process, four prior Supreme Court decisions were invalidated:
Now it seems that's exactly what happen. Not to mention American muslims have been reduced to unamericans. I think at least he should be fined greatly for endangering our people that are still in Afghanistan. Or does no one care about the troops anymore?
While the preacher's actions were deplorable, like burning a flag, or a bible or torah, I cannot understand how any American can question their right to do so. A high ranking UN official, Steffhan di Mistura, head of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, said, and I quote, "I don't think we should be blaming any Afghan. We should be blaming...the one who burned the Koran. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from offending culture, religion, traditions." With all due respect, that is EXACTLY what freedom of speech means. Otherwise, it is usless. I find all religions, particularly those based on holy books, to be extremely offensive to reason and human intellect, and would be completely justified in burning their books and symbols. But I have no right to murder and behead innocent people.
We may have the right to free speech but , just as with anything, there is a time and place for it and burning a Kuran is definitely NOT a good idea.
With freedom comes responsibility. This man is a lunatic and a selfish one at that.
I do not agree with either answer option. I feel that book burning of any kind is an inane act. Apart from that, you are burning the "free speech" of the "writer" of the book. The man in Florida who did this, appears to be a bit of a tippler, if you go by the appearance of his face and nose... perhaps he should be burnt. He looks easily ignitable. Hey, this would be impressive on his part: Set yourself on fire pastor, like Buddhist monks sometimes do.
I am not a titfortatter, but recently in cleaning out my dead inlaws' garage, we found two ratty looking, insect eaten Bibles. No idea why they were where they were. It appears to indicate a sense of general disillusionment. If we plan a public burning in the hardly ever used, very pristine looking Weber kettle out back this Saturday at 2 PM, would that settle the matter? 8-}
We Americans need to get over ourselves! Just because we can doesn't mean we should. That man intentionally incited anger when he made sure he was live streaming the burning of the Koran. He knew what would happen, he'd been told. He and his followers have the blood of innocents on their hands.
This pastor should know better! By advertising this act around the world is a act of violence. This pastor obviously has no regard for people's feeling or beliefs. I know people who may not agree with me on some subjects and that's just fine. I have respect for them all the same, And I will say ~ Variety is the spice of life! " Makes the world go round! " It's simply amazing . "Who would think or Who could think of such a thing? NO ONE!
I find it amazing how some people, like Jones, get almost giddy with the thought of WWIII or the apocolypse. How in any way does a person who espouses hate so much think he is somehow going to be spared or even exhalted for his behaviour. I think we all agree he is being a turd but so are those who are committing such horrible murders. Are not most current day religions monotheistic? Are these people fighting over who has the awesomest prophet? Really everyone needs to stop.
Free speech is debatable, with the obvious limit of yelling fire in a crowded theatre (because it causes death).. Burning their bible inflames millions if not billions, that will surely cause the deaths of more then the 7 that already died.. Still it is a slippery slope.. So I am not really sure, because free speech is so important..
It's hard to find a perfect analogy for this situation, but perhaps if one could imagine standing with another person in front of a mad man holding a gun and daring him to shoot the guy next to you, it would be close to a nut doing something that he has pre knowledge will cause the death of others as was the case in the burning the Koran. The free speech article of the Constitution is certainly one of the most important rocks in our foundation as a nation, but I don't think it was ever intended to be used as an instrument of death to others -- that's just one of the unintended consequences. Don't know anyway out of the conflict.