Hatemongering

Petraeus Bashes Koran-Burning Plan

Says U.S. church could spur Taliban violence.

General David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, is upset—and rightfully so—at Terry Jones, a Florida pastor who plans to burn Korans with his church on September 11. "It could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall [Afghanistan war] effort," Petraeus told The Wall Street Journal. "It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems. Not just here, but everywhere in the world we are engaged with the Islamic community." Hundred of Afghans demonstrated in Kabul on Monday to protest the plans, chanting "death to America" and throwing rocks at a passing military convoy. Jones, meanwhile, denies his book-burning protest will put troops in danger, despite not receiving a permit for the demonstration. He said his church expects to go forward with the protest anyway.