Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Another Case of the Typical

"We are seeking to incite the (Islamic) nation to rise up to liberate its land and to (wage) jihad for the sake of God." - Osama bin Laden, June 1999

Somewhere in the swamps of Florida, a man of the cloth named Terry Jones is working hard, working very hard indeed to do the work of the world's most wanted terrorist. With the good sense of a snake-handler, and the righteous vigor of a snake-oil salesman, Jones has managed to thrust himself and his... gosh, scores of followers into the media limelight. How?

By announcing the first annual Koran Burning Day. Imagine that... Osama meets Hitler. It doesn't get a whole lot more Christian than that, does it? Naturally, this feel-good event is scheduled for September 11th.

With the clock ticking, the conservative movement is calving on this issue, with several notables now asking Mr. Jones to please not do that. This phenomenon took place after the revered Gen. David Petraeus mentioning that burning the Koran would likely incite considerable violence against our troops in Muslim countries.

Many Republicans, however, are not concerned with the sensitivies of Muslims in the United States or around the world. They play the little-kid card, conflating this lunacy with the Islamic community center that may someday be built two blocks from Ground Zero in Manhattan. It's about what one would expect from Grand Obstruction Party.

America was founded on freedom of religion. The concept was so important to the Founding Fathers that they listed it first on the Bill of Rights. The same amendment gives cover to people like Terry Jones, almost, since burning Korans could easily be construed as the equivalent to burning crosses - another Southern tradition that didn't pass free-speech muster.

So we all get to enjoy watching this utterly offensive freak show, this display of our worst behavior, this embarrassing insult to all those who have died (and will die) protecting a nation that used to value anyone's religious views, or non-views, for that matter. This is Terry Jones' contribution to our ever-evolving American discourse.

By the way, he'll also be in violation of the city's fire-safety code, so the YouTube crowd might be treated to hysterical images of the little church cookout being doused by the fire hoses of authority. Amen to that.

pH 9.o8.1o