DENVER - A small-time pastor and the American people wake from Gainesville, Fla. is up and understand the raising a lot of eyebrows consequences of his actions. with his plan to set fire to "America loses if this is copies of the Quran this seen as a Holy War. If this Saturday, including those of is seen as a war against Colorado Congressman Mike Islam, we lose." Coffman. Gen. David Petraeus, the Coffman, a Republican who commander of U.S. and served in Iraq with the international forces in Marines prior to being Afghanistan, made the same elected to Congress in 2008, point on Tuesday. believes the impending "Burn "Images of the burning of a a Koran Day", organized by Quran would undoubtedly be Pastor Terry Jones of the used by extremists in Dove World Outreach Center, Afghanistan -- and around the is a shameless publicity world -- to inflame public stunt that could have deadly opinion and incite violence," consequences. Petraeus said. "Such images "I think he's gonna get a lot could, in fact, be used as of money off this, but he's were the photos from Abu going to do it at the expense Gharyb. And this would, again, of our men and women serving put our troopers and in uniform, particularly in civilians in jeopardy and Afghanistan and in Iraq as undermine our efforts to well," Coffman told FOX 31 accomplish the critical Wednesday. "This is blood mission here in Afghanistan." money. This is at the expense Jones, the author of a book of those who are fighting in called "Islam is of the defense of our freedom." Devil" and the leader of a In Coffman's view, a view congregation of roughly 50 echoed by White House Press people, has promised to go Secretary Robert Gibbs ahead with the Quran burning, Thursday, the image of an scheduled for Saturday, the American setting fire the ninth anniversay of the Sept. Muslim holy book will only 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on enflame religious fanaticism the World Trade Center and and violence in the Arab the Pentagon. world, where American forces "We realize this action will are currently working to probably offend muslims, uh reduce violence and to win just like im offended when the hearts and minds of they burn the Bible or civilians there. American flag," Jones said in "For folks like al Qaeda, who a television interview need this to fead their earlier this week. "What we propaganda, to get more are aiming at is that radical converts into radical Islam, element that we feel is much the best friend they have is larger than our politicians Reverend Jones," Coffman said. want us to believe." "I just hope that Mr. Jones
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