Quran-Burning Recklessly Beyond Free Speech

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright Sept. 8, 2010
All Rights Reserved.                                             

             Capturing worldwide headlines, Rev. Terry Jones proved that he’s king of the notorious publicity stunt, threatening to burn copies of the Quran to protest the ninth anniversary of Sept. 11.  Jones, whose 50-member Gainesville, Florida church called the “Dove World Outreach Center” has global attention, believes he’s protected by the First Amendment.  “Instead of us backing down, maybe it’s time to stand up.  May be it’s time to send a message to radical Islam that we will not tolerate their behavior,” said Jones, refusing to stop the Saturday bonfire that promises to poke a stick in a hornet's nest.  Jones is dead wrong that torching Qurans is protected by free speech.  No one can fraudulently cry fire in a crowd, incite a stampede and cause the deaths of innocent people under the First Amendment.  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called Jones’ plans “disgraceful.”

            When a Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published derogatory cartoons Sept. 30, 2005 about the prophet Muhammed, riots, suicide bombings, death threats broke out around the globe.  U.S. Centom and new Afghanistan commander Gen. David Petraeus warned about the consequences on U.S. troops to Jones’ actions.  ”Images of the burning of a Quran would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan—and around the world—to inflame public opinion an incite violence,” said Petraeus, underplaying the global implications of Jones’ actions.  Petraeus has tried to make the case that the Afghanistan War is necessary to U.S. national security.  When former President George W. Bush failed to make the case in the past, Petreaus urged President Barack Obama to commit more troops to Afghanistan in an all-out effort to purge the fledgling democracy of terrorist influences.

            If national security prompted Obama to add 50,000 more troops to Afghanistan, a renegade pastor threatening to incite global riots should prompt immediate action by the FBI and U.S. Justice Department.  Scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11, Jones’ Quran- burning is far more dangerous to national security than al-Qaida’s Osama bin Laden or the Taliban’s Mullah Mohammed Omar, holed up in the ungoverned mountainous region along the Afghan-Pakistan border.  Atty. Gen Eric Holder Jr. must do more than call Jones “idiotic and dangerous,” taking immediate steps to restrain the 58-year-old pastor from endangering innocent people around the globe.  Holder must obtain an immediate restraining order from a U.S. District Court Judge, and, if, needed, charge Jones with inciting a riot.  There’s no free speech protection when it comes to endangering U.S. and foreign citizens.

            Jones’ game of chicken has gone far enough.  U.S. officials have the authority and means to stop Jones from his Quran-burning plans.  “We think these are provocative acts,” said State Dept. spokesman P.J. Crowley.  “We would like to see more Americans stand up and say this is inconsistent with our American values.  In fact, these actions themselves are un-American,” showing an utterly feckless response to a potential crisis.  Crowley shouldn’t encourage vigilantism or lecture about the American Way, he should be triaging with the FBI and Justice Department to stop Jones from threatening U.S. national security and endangering U.S. citizens.  Clinton and Holder should put their heads together and figure out how to stop Jones’ “International Burn-a-Quran-Day,” not spew more platitudes.  White House officials have a perfect chance to show their emergency-management skills.

            Jones’ cannot be placated or reasoned with until it’s too late.  He must be told to cease-and-desist or face immediate incarceration for inciting a riot.  “Any type of activity like that, that puts our troops in harm’s wary would be a concern to this administration,” said White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, sidestepping what the White House can do to stop Jones.  “Islam is of the Devil,” said Jones’, displaying the kind of paranoia requiring urgent psychiatric evaluation.  Whatever one thinks of Sept. 11, Islamic terrorists, or even, more recently, building a mosque near Ground Zero, it has nothing to do with one person’s reckless actions likely to cause deaths and injuries to untold numbers of innocents.  White House officials have to quit the platitudes and take urgent action to avoid a crisis-in-the-making.  Jones’ sounds like a raving lunatic—a clear and present danger to his fellow citizens.

            White House officials, led by President Obama, must get off the politically correct fence and stop Jones’ folly before Sept. 11.  His actions threaten U.S. national security and endanger U.S. and foreign citizens inside and outside the U.S.  “It’s hard for people to believe, but we actually feel this is a message that we have been called to bring forth,” said Jones, giving convincing proof of his insanity.  U.S. authorities have no choice but to urgently bring Jones into custody for evaluation.  While he’s not planning to shoot up the nearest post office, he’s clearly demonstrated himself as a danger to self and others.  Law enforcement routinely brings in nut cases like Jones’ for proper evaluation before they incite or commit violent acts.  His “International Burn-a-Quran-Day” makes him a clear and present danger.  White House officials must take decisive action or face ugly political consequences.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commetary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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