The Terry Jones show on O'Reilly

I say the Terry Jones Show because as much as I respect Bill, in this instance Pastor Jones was in charge.  When O'Reilly accused Jones of being insane and of having blood on his hands I wondered how he could see this in that context.  Jones responds with the most accurate and direct rejoinder I have heard in a long time.  "...The responsibility should be laid upon the people who committed the acts" he said, putting any doubt about his views to rest.  I agree with Pastor Jones and Sapp in that it is Muslims responsibility to act like a rational human and not kill because someone torched the Qur'an.  Insult or no, the blame laid at the Pastors feet is undeserved and another attempt by Islam to quash any discussion of Islamic doctrine or the behavior which it aggravates.

O'Reilly, you should be taken to task for saying nothing in the Pastors defense for his right to free speech.  What he and Sapp did is disgusting, people should read the Qur'an, not burn it.  Yet the absence of support for his right to do so is what is most disturbing.  Where is your voice demanding Muslims quit being babies and cowboy up, and at the same time upholding Jones and Sapps right to burn a book, Mr. O'Reilly?


From the New York Daily Times April 5 by Nancy Dillon

Koran-burning pastor Terry Jones defends himself against Bill O'Reilly who called him 'insane'

Koran-burning pastor Terry Jones struck back at Bill O'Reilly Tuesday after the conservative Fox News host called him an "insane Christian" who had "blood on his hands."

The fringe Florida pastor said he bears no responsibility for the 24 deaths resulting from Afghan protests sparked by his March 20 desecration of the Islamic holy book in Florida.

"We reject Mr. O'Reilly's statement. The responsibility should be laid upon the people who committed the acts," he said in a statement to the Daily News.

What a novel idea: make those who commit the heinous act be responsible and pay for their crimes.  Oh wait, this is Islam we're talking about.

"The recent events are an example of the violent nature of Islam. Just because a book was burned, they used this as an excuse to retaliate. We should not in any way condone their actions," he said.

Oh but we do.

Jones' five-hour mock trial and burning of the sacred text touched off an eruption of anti-American sentiment already inflamed by recent civilian casualties in war-torn Afghanistan.

So lets use as a pretext/excuse the war in Afghanistan for our rage. 

Wonderful.

Read it all