Let's get this straight.
The First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Hmmmm.
Florida pastor.
Exercising his religious values to put the Koran on trial - and burn a copy of it.
Congress can't abridge freedom of speech - or of the press - or to peaceably assemble.
Sounds like he's exercising his RIGHTS!
Hmmmmmmm.
Let us look a bit further.
Afghanistan.
Hotbed of terrorism.
Terrorism is a lot more than just blowing up coffee shops.
Terrorism is a political ideology, manipulation of the media, a government force, education...economics....it can be anything. Intimidation - passive aggressive intimidation even. Building a mosque on ground zero. That ring a bell with anyone?
Hmmmmm....maybe this does swing two ways.
Hmmmm. How about this: They can build a mosque on ground zero and we can burn korans? Both in the name of tolerance and understanding....freedom of religion. Opening a dialogue. They teach us on the bodies of dead Americans killed in the name of Islam what Islam truly means - and we teach them by burning korans what the true meaning of freedom is.
They can riot and kill and we can draw cartoons of mo-ham-med - in the name of openness and diversity.
Here's another thought. Let's go back to the beginning of America. While America - or The New World as it was called - was founded for religious freedom, there was no freedom about the religion you practiced in this world. Islam wouldn't even have a foot in the door here were it not for the freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights had our original civilization and culture continued.
So, while the proponents of Islam claim that this freedom of religion that has resulted in a single Koran being burned is absolutely unacceptable - the very fact that Islam can be practiced in America is the result of freedom of religion - the very freedom that the extremists decry.
Meanwhile they have the freedom to riot and kill.
Simultaneously, a US General claims that our actions - our FREEDOM - here underimines the war effort....(for a people who are apparently undesirous of freedom or who are completely incapable of living in freedom....except the freedom to riot) - I believe his actions, his words, undermine our constitution which he swore to uphold and defend!
I'm sorry, but, Afghanistan - you have to find your own way. One of the things we Americans have learned to do is to set aside differences and work with what we can. If the extreme factions of Islam cannot cope with this aspect of freedom as millions of American Muslims can and do - then - yes - Islam is the enemy of Freedom. But if Islam can allow Freedom just as Freedom allows Islam - then perhaps we can live together.