http://www.nydailynew..._response_to_kor.html
// But, clearly, Jones knew bloodshed was likely somewhere in the Muslim world after he burned a Koran on March 20 at his Gainesville church.
Having seen well-known episodes of violence in response to perceived insults to the Koran, Jones believes the Islamic holy book is the root of all evil. He wanted to make his point - and he did so at the cost of human life.
Under worldwide pressure, including from President Obama, Jones backed down from a pledge to commemorate last year's 9/11 anniversary by burning a Koran. He was warned then that he would endanger U.S. troops. Now, he has committed that offense as well.
In an ideal world, the faithful of all religions would respond to sacrilege with peaceful condemnation. This is not an ideal world. This a world in which some Muslims view violent revenge as the more fitting action.
That being the unfortunate reality, freedom of speech regarding Islam and the Koran must be exercised with due responsibility - and defended to the hilt. Courage will be required.
His goal is purely to provoke violence.
True to form, in the wake of the Mazar-i-Sharif slaughter, he pronounced that "Islam is not a religion of peace."
What he did is worse than falsely crying fire in a crowded theater, the oft-cited example of freedom of speech gone haywire. He sought death - and he got it. //