Petreus: Common Sense or Hypocrisy?

We just witnessed the circus surrounding the proposed Koran burning by a Terry Jones in Gainesville, FL. In midst of all that, the following snippet caught my attention. Among several high profile officials denouncing the proposed bonfire was General David Petreus, "General Petraeus said Tuesday that the Koran burning could endanger American troops in Afghanistan and the safety of Americans around the world by inciting violence among Islamic extremists." On the surface it seemed like an eminently sensible comment. However, with time the irony of the comment began to dawn on me.

Jihadi Islam is indeed a big threat to America, but the reason for the violence of the past decade and a half stems from the continuing presence of American troops in Saudi Arabia. That is the stated caucus belli for Al Quaeda. Of course since then the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have provided more fodder. What endangers Americans are the military policies of the government which Petreus champions. How ironic that the cheerleader of the policies endangering Americans is accusing Terry Jones of the same.

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