Patriot Day: United We Stand

Controversy about the proposed Islamic community center near Ground Zero and so-called Dr. Jones’ threat to burn the Quran on 9/11 have overshadowed the real meaning of Patriot Day. The nature of Islam in western society is divisive. But the holiday is about remembering those lost that day and how the country came together in shared horror, grief, and resolve.

Patriot Day is about solidarity. We should stand united as we remember the 2,993 people from over 90 countries who lost their lives nine years ago today. We should stand united to honor the 5,670 US military personnel who have given their lives since 11 September 2001. Twelve of them are Michigan Army National Guardsmen. And we should stand united and resolved to prosecute the Global War on Terror until those responsible have been brought to justice or eradicated.

In his weekly radio address, Pres. Barrack Obama called on citizens to recapture the sense of common purpose we felt nine years ago. “We are one nation—one people—bound not only by grief, but by a set of common ideals.” Not doing so dishonors those who died that fateful day in 2001.

Previously on Patriot Day:

• Remember the Fallen and Their Loved Ones
• Lest We Forget
• Remembering All the Heroes

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“Pastor” Terry Jones is a Traitor

He most certainly has the First Amendment right to express his opinion and, even, burn the Koran. But that doesn’t make it right.

Virtually no one of any significance supports the plan by Dr. Terry Jones to burn the Koran on 9/11. In fact, the Commander in Afghanistan, GEN David Patraeus, condemned the planned Koran burning. He said:

Images of a burning of a Koran would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan—and around the world—to inflame public opinion and incite violence. Such images could, in fact, be used as were the photos from Abu Ghraib. And this would, again, put our troops and civilians in jeopardy and undermine our efforts to accomplish the critical mission here in Afghanistan.

The Dove World Outreach Center hardly seems interested in peace or outreach, as it’s name might imply. In fact, the pastor of it’s 50-some congregation, Dr. Terry Jones, plans to proceed with burning the Koran no matter what, emphasis added:

Of course we care, it would be tragical [sic] if, if, because of this, one person, one person died. But, at the same time, we do not feel responsible for that.

Terry Jones is supposed to be an educated man and a man of God. Yet, Jones makes up words and could care less about the teachings of Christ in the bible. He is an extremist in the same light as the Taliban. While he has the First Amendment right to burn the Koran, he is doing so at the expense of National diplomatic and security strategies. He is doing so while putting the lives of US and NATO military personnel on the line. He is risking nothing for his 15 minutes of fame. Yet, he refuses to even think twice about the disastrous effects his stunt could have on the Global War on Terror.

He may claim his Koran burning is a tribute to the victims of the attacks on 9-11, but he misses some of those victims were Muslim. Jones says he’s only protesting radical Islam, but he’s going to burn the holy book of all Muslims. He claims he’s not racist or intolerant, but he’s against any new mosques or immigration by Muslims. I’m sorry; I seem to be missing his point.

In light of GEN Petraeus’ view, which I believe is accurate, Dr. Jones’ intentions are nothing short of treason. He is conspiring to provide aid and comfort to the enemy. The Taliban and al-Qaeda will use video of his Koran burning to recruit new insurgents and suicide bombers. Just the idea of Jones’ Koran burning has stirred anti-US sentiment in Afghanistan. In short, this clown is threatening to undo everything that’s been accomplished through blood and sweat in Afghanistan over the last 8 years. And what about Iraq, as well?