"President Obama sharply criticized a Florida pastor’s plan to burn copies of the Koran on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, calling it a “stunt” that threatens the lives of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and violates American principles of religious tolerance. “If he’s listening, I just hope he understands that what he’s proposing to do is completely contrary to our values as Americans,” Mr. Obama said in an interview that aired on ABC’s Good Morning America Thursday, referring to Terry Jones, a pastor from Gainesville, Fla. “As a practical matter, as commander in chief of the armed forces of the United States, I just want him to understand that this stunt that he is pulling could greatly endanger our young men and women in uniform who are in Iraq, who are in Afghanistan.” Mr. Obama said that the Koran burning would be a “recruitment bonanza for Al Qaeda” and other terrorist groups looking for people willing to “blow themselves up” in American or European cities." - Sean McBride from Bookmarklet

JSLeFanu has a tin ear for American politics, and failed to understand just how important this issue is for the American leadership class -- including (and especially) the military establishment. It was inevitable that David Petraeus would speak out against Terry Jones, since American lives are at risk, and it comes as no surprise that Obama has weighed in full force. - Sean McBride

What has been (seemingly) left out of this discussion is not simply a matter of American troops (for which I have split agreement - I agree with Petraeus' condemnation, and I agree with JS that coming from a military commander commenting on civilian activities back home is highly unusual and goes against what I was taught about military statements). There's more that people are just overlooking, simply because of Petraeus' statement, and Obama's weigh-in. There are Christians around the world (both American and non) who are put at risk by Jones' stunt, too. Innocents who are at risk to mob mentality in a worst-case scenario. - Prosey BUTTONS!

wondering why I have not gotten any response from you on this. are you going to continue to attack my reputation by comparing me to other zionists for pointing this out? http://www.youtube.com/watch... Military burns unsolicited Bibles sent to Afghanistan ...Obama: "Quran burning is 'recruitment bonanza' for al Qaeda" In related unreported news the Quran is a recruitment tool for jihad - NoahDavidSimon

so Sean do you support Robert Scoble's censorship of the church? - NoahDavidSimon

Noah -- I barely know Robert Scoble, other than from a few public exchanges on Friendfeed, and strongly doubt that Scoble has been involved in censorship efforts connected to Islam. He doesn't strike me as being a religious activist of any kind. - Sean McBride

*blink* ....LAUGHING -- omg. Noah, that wasn't a constitutional matter on the part of rackspace - that was a contractual issue. What you call censorship (and I can agree to that) wasn't infringing on someone's right to free speech (which, even for the government protection, there are specific limitations)...it was that the church violated a clause in its *business contract* with the service provider. You're asserting that because Scoble works with the organization that he is somehow personally responsible for them closing the church's web page? Really? *walks away laughing* - Prosey BUTTONS!

*breaks out the tinfoil* This could get interesting ... - Rene, Pro Button Pusher

*still laughing* But seriously, Noah...nobody is attacking your "reputation". Here's what I think. And you will quite likely deny it...but what I'm seeing is a rapid escalation of your support for burning the Quran as a high-level paranoia thinly disguised as outrage, and it's only getting worse and worse as the condemnations from people from all levels are coming down on Jones - up to the president, from Christians, from the Vatican, from people who are nonbelievers, from Jews, from prominent politicians on both sides of the aisle. I think you recognize the reality that NOT ALL of these people are closet anti-Semites...not all of these people are "Jew Hating Nazis" -- I think you know this full well, because despite your inflammatory rhetoric, you have the ability to reason. Because *YOU* agree with Jones and his chosen actions, the more condemnations that come, the louder you get. It speaks to a willful paranoia on your part that you're trying to couch in terms that are nonexistent in the people you're accusing of "attacking your reputation" -- and I think, underneath your temper, you KNOW this. - Prosey BUTTONS!

I wasn't involved in the Rackspace decision. I didn't even know about it until after it had been announced to public. - Robert Scoble

Hey Robert...I have screen captures of all of this, if you want. - Prosey BUTTONS!

Burning any book whatsoever goes against the very core of my personal and professional values. I am concerned, though, that the sentiment that "Christians the world over would be in danger over the Koran-burning stunt" does paint Islam as a bloodthirsty religion? I doubt this event would have met the "yelling fire in a crowded theater" test, and yet folks seem more than willing to forego the freedom of speech this *nonviolent* protest would have been, by not just protesting back or pointing out that he's a bit of an ass for a so-called "Christian," but by actively seeking ways to prevent him from completing the exercise. I find those implications far more vexing than one mediawhore miscreant's attempt to start a holybook bonfire. - ωαřмaiden TeamOtto

..and of course we will just take @Scobleizer's word? I'm blocked by Robert. So he could not of seen my attempt to contact him. Obviously McBride you aren't being honest about your connections here. I have heard on various occasions your dialogs with the man. I even requested that he block you and he refused. The tin foil belongs to those who think that Robert Scoble had nothing to do with censoring this church. - NoahDavidSimon

Speaking of freedom of speech, did you know that "Shouting fire in a crowded theater" is from a unanimous Supreme Court ruling that it was illegal to distribute flyers opposing the draft during World War I? http://ff.im/qoxlF - Alex Scrivener

the fact that Robert is now denying that he attempted to limit the free expressions of a religious institution (after he justified it on twitter) actually speaks more then anything of his entanglement here. - NoahDavidSimon

Noah -- my description of my contacts with Robert Scoble is truthful and honest -- we've exchanged a few comments on Friendfeed -- that's it. And he has credibly denied any involvement in Rackspace's pulling the plug on Terry Jones. You are spreading false and defamatory rumors on the basis of zero concrete information -- just the fevered speculations of your overheated imagination. - Sean McBride

Noah -- you know, it's just possible that David Petraeus, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and other leading figures have had more influence in turning the world against Terry Jones than me and Robert Scoble. :) I'd like to think that I wield more influence than Petraeus, Obama and Clinton, but I am quite certain that this is not the case. You really need to get back in the reality zone. - Sean McBride

Noah - your assertions here are fully documented and captured. Rather than continue to dig your hole deeper in your blatant attempt at character assassinations of both Scoble & McBride, why don't you admit that you're wrong and simply recant your libelous charges? - Prosey BUTTONS!

I mean c'mon -honestly- there is no shame in admitting a mistake --everyone makes them. - Prosey BUTTONS!

I've been censored by you before McBride. and I saw Scoble's justification of the censorship on twitter. your attempt to irk me is the only hole on this thread. you must know you are in a hole here. the threats of screen caps are amusing, but they betray your feelings of weakness. - NoahDavidSimon

*laughing* Yeah, okay Noah...you're right. I censored you. And "you saw" doesn't serve you well - prove it. Show us. Like I told you earlier...wrap it in quotes and put it on display for everyone to see. Otherwise, your blither about "weakness" is a reminder that every time you point a finger at someone, there are three pointing right back at you. - Prosey BUTTONS!

And...it's no threat. You're guilty of libel. Very simple. *shrug* I'm glad you're amused. Makes my day. - Prosey BUTTONS!

http://twitter.com/Scoblei... - NoahDavidSimon

Already been there, Noah. You have to do better than that. - Prosey BUTTONS!

that was his justification. claiming he had nothing to do with it... runs in contradiction - NoahDavidSimon

See, the only display of any kind of weakness here? Is you...and your fear of admitting you're wrong. And everyone watching this knows it. - Prosey BUTTONS!

http://twitter.com/Scoblei... his tweet speaks for itself. it contradicts what is on this thread. I don't expect a bully like you to admit this. he didn't even delete his tweet. - NoahDavidSimon

Plugging his twitter page...when there is nothing in his tweets that remotely suggests complicity. That'd be like me saying I used to work for HMSA, which is a subsidiary to BCBS...and hated it...and so somehow I'm complicit in "creating" a scheme for healthcare reform by whispering in Hillary's ear. That is how stupid your claims come off, Noah. - Prosey BUTTONS!

I'm not a bully. You're making false accusations. In multiple threads. That anyone watching here has seen unless they have you blocked. You don't like that? Tough. It's plain, simple, visible, and true. - Prosey BUTTONS!

Tata for now, studly. Gotta feed the family. - Prosey BUTTONS!

"I wasn't involved in the Rackspace decision. I didn't even know about it until after it had been announced to public. " says Scoble on friendfeed. on twitter : ""@gregorylent yes, @rackspace has clear policies around hate speech and we invoked them. - NoahDavidSimon

the key word is "We" - NoahDavidSimon

he said "WE" invoked them - NoahDavidSimon

he didn't say they invoked them - NoahDavidSimon

LOL. You're weak. Sooooo weak. And pathetic. No wonder so many people block you. - Prosey BUTTONS!

that is your argument against my evidence? - NoahDavidSimon

didn't I ask you Sean to stop ProsePetals from the irkson "I blocked you"? - NoahDavidSimon

Or are you just having a tantrum because your hero Brother Jones cancelled his book-burning? - Prosey BUTTONS!

not at all. I'm glad it isn't one church doing this. but I'm not sure how that relates to your error in logic above - NoahDavidSimon

I suppose you are glad that Islam bullied a church into submission. and there is the problem with trolls. you see this as a win for you. it is a huge loss - NoahDavidSimon

@Noah: No, I see *your behavior* as weak, sad, and laughably pathetic. My ideas about the "reasons" why Jones and his flock of idiots called off their book-burning session weren't even mentioned, Noah. Calling me a troll doesn't change the fact that you're weak...and you must live a very shallow and isolated life if all you have time to do is shout at and misquote people from your paranoid little echo chamber. - Prosey BUTTONS!

@Noah: Oh, and the argument against your "evidence"...just to return to that little number you tried. Have you ever worked for an organization? Ever? Have you ever addressed a question in the form of a collective based on policy? I have. Most people I know who are professionals have. If you can't recognize the difference of what you're calling culpability to what the reality demonstrates is a statement about an organization, then you're not only weak, but dim-witted. - Prosey BUTTONS!

Serious question for Noah. No barbed comments, no insults...just a question. Why do you *care* so much if people (who you call idiots) block you? Your behavior in this thread here, this thread: http://friendfeed.com/middle-..., this thread: http://friendfeed.com/middle-..., this thread: http://friendfeed.com/us-poli..., and this thread: http://friendfeed.com/mideast... - all fully justify people from not caring to watch/read you repeat yourself over and over and over again like a drunken broken record. Just as the 1st Amendment covers *your* right to say whatever you have to say, it also covers others' rights to either ignore you or block you. Yet the very idea of perfect strangers who don't want to hear you repeat yourself seems to deeply offend you. My question is why? Why do you seemingly feel that you have to shove your opinions down others' throats? - Prosey BUTTONS!

that denies the correlative that I'm behaving just fine. just a different opinion from a totalitarian like yourself. - NoahDavidSimon

Quran burning update by Rev.Terry Jones: We are a little back to square one, burning suspended, not canceled - NoahDavidSimon

Shouting and insulting is not "fine" behavior, unless you're psychotic. Which I don't think you are. Nor am I in any way totalitarian. Since, however, you refuse to answer the question, that leaves me with the conclusion that you're also extremely insecure, and are bent on proselytizing. Which makes you no better than any fundamentalist out there - of any religious persuasion. Like them (and like I've said previously), you're pathetic and weak. - Prosey BUTTONS!

zzzzzz - NoahDavidSimon

RT @jimgeraghty BREAKING: Brett Favre announces immediate retirement. (Right after he burns a Quaran) - NoahDavidSimon

Noah -- I just caught up with the thread here, and noticed that you can't even keep logical track of who said what or to whom you are addressing your comments. Your "thinking," such as it is, strikes me as being very scrambled. Mostly what comes through your latest harangue in defense of Terry Jones is paranoia, hysteria, bigotry, aggression and fanaticism -- very little thinking at all. Some part of you must recognize that something is wrong here. You're not making any sense. - Sean McBride

so you love me? - NoahDavidSimon

Noah -- I think you're struggling towards the light against enormous difficulties, just like everyone else and all of us. No one said the journey would be easy. So, I feel good will towards you and wish you well. - Sean McBride

maybe this might help http://www.youtube.com/watch... ...keep an open mind. - NoahDavidSimon

I think we should look into Robert Scoble's Mosque. maybe they have connections to the Muslim Brotherhood like Rauf's do. - NoahDavidSimon

I hope that mirror Sean handed you does you a bit of good, Noah. You could use it. - Prosey BUTTONS!

we have to get out of the idea that the Nazis define us. the Nazis threw parades. are you afraid to go to a parade now? ...The Nazis said Jews were a RACE, now Jews are afraid when science comes back and tells Jews that they are closely related to each other then the country their ancestors have lived in for centuries. At what juxtaposition will you create; What artificial semiotic have you have declared as intolerable, but must obey because this is what NAZIS did? ...the NAZIS breathed air... so therefor you must die. those against Everyone Burning the Quran are hypocrites. - NoahDavidSimon

Noah -- so now you are on a mission to refurbish the reputation of the Nazis? Perhaps even Nazi book burning was a noble enterprise? - Sean McBride

um no... I'm sorry I wasted my words on you. your continued inability to grasp the concept of a Tautological argument... makes me tired of using the word Tautological. - NoahDavidSimon

Noah -- what I grasp is that Americans by a huge majority overwhelmingly oppose book burning of any kind -- and especially educated Americans, who value literate and well-informed policy discussion and debate. Book burning is associated in the minds of intelligent people with Nazis, fascists, rednecks, hillbillies, religious crazies, etc. If you want to align yourself with those cultural factions, be my guest. - Sean McBride

I won't let NAZIs define me. - NoahDavidSimon

But you'll let Baruch Goldstein, Yigal Amir, Terry Jones and the EDL (English Defense League) define you? Not even Sarah Palin will go there. - Sean McBride

Sarah Palin supports Ron Paul. not surprised. sometimes the best way to win the argument is to be what your opposition claims you are. the law is built on blood. not the other way around - NoahDavidSimon

Noah -- in case you haven't figured this out yet, *NO* American politician of significance (including Sarah Palin) supports book burning, Baruch Goldstein, Yigal Amir, the mass muder of innocents, the assassination of prime ministers, etc. You've gotten yourself out on a shaky limb indeed. Terry Jones has managed to unify and stir up the wrath of the entire civilized world against anti-Muslim militants and bigots. - Sean McBride

we can't count on Islam to turn the other cheek. all the more reason to take a stand here for a movement that makes people uncomfortable. just 10 years ago the very idea of fighting an Islamic Jihad by the West seemed ancient. funny the way current events changes an unpopular idea. - NoahDavidSimon

I started to feel bad about burning the Quran, so I threw in the New York Times into the fire. I didn't want Mohammad to be lonely. - NoahDavidSimon