Also: Hillary Clinton compares Mexican drug war to Colombia-style insurgency.
Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center answers a few questions from reporters after news conference in Gainesville, Fla., Wednesday. Jones stated that he is going forward with a scheduled burning of copies of the Quran at his church on Saturday, Sept. 11. From the Telegraph:
Barack Obama has condemned an American pastor’s plan to burn copies of the Koran as a “recruitment bonanza for al-Qaida” on the ninth anniversary of September 11 as outrage has built across the Islam world.
The American President warned that the “destructive” act would inflame violence, endanger US troops and lead to an increased threat of terrorism against Western civilian targets.
"You could have serious violence in places like Pakistan or Afghanistan. This could increase the recruitment of individuals who would be willing to blow themselves up in American cities or European cities," he said.
"If he's listening, I hope he understands that what he's proposing to do is completely contrary to our values as Americans. That this country has been built on the notion of freedom and religious tolerance."
» Read the full story: Barack Obama says Koran burning will be 'recruitment bonanza for al-Qaida' [Telegraph]
» Muslim group to distribute replacement Qurans in response to planned burning [CNN]
» Safety concern for Fla. gov. over 9/11 Quran burn [The Associated Press]
» Idiot pastors and selective religious outrage [Toronto Sun]
In other news:
» Hillary Clinton: Mexican drugs war is Colombia-style insurgency [Guardian]
» Muslim backers of NYC mosque appear divided [The Associated Press]
» Car bomber attacks Russian market [The New York Times]