Only about 30 people attended a Florida pastor's Quran burning last month, an event that followed a "mock trial" on the holy book of Islam. At the time, the Rev. Terry Jones claimed the event was a success.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/images/04/04/art.terry.jones.jpg caption="Pastor Terry Jones."]
He has vowed to put the Islamic prophet Mohammed on trial next.
The actions of this publicity seeking lunatic fringe "pastor" are sparking scores of anti-American protests - many of which turned violent - in cities throughout Afghanistan. More than 20 people were killed over the weekend in retaliation for the burning of the Quran.
Gen. David Petraeus, the allied commander of the 150,000 troops in Afghanistan, says Jones' stunt poses new threats to the security of U.S. soldiers fighting a war against the Taliban.
You may remember Jones had threatened to do something like this once before, but he was talked out of it after people like Petraeus and eventually President Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates spoke up.
But Jones just couldn't stay out of the spotlight, and now Afghan President Hamid Karzai has called on the White House, Congress and the United Nations to bring him to justice, whatever that means.
It's not clear he broke any U.S. laws, just the law against stupidity.
Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said some members of Congress were considering some kind of action against Jones.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Congress may have to think about limits for freedom of speech when words and actions enrage U.S. enemies and endanger the lives of U.S. citizens overseas.
Here's my question to you: Should anything be done about the pastor in Florida who burned the Quran?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Bradley in Portland, Oregon:
If he purchased his copy of the book, and he followed all trash burning and fire regulations in his area, then he didn't do anything wrong. Nothing needs to "be done" about someone just exercising his First Amendment rights. Your question should actually be, "What should be done about murderous savages who deliberately slaughter the innocent, whatever their claimed motivation for doing so?"
JF in New Orleans, Louisiana:
There are many things I'd like to see happen to him, but at least the IRS ought to take away his church's tax-exempt status because of the political nature of his speech.
Frank in Connellsville, Pennsylvania:
To protect our right to speak out passionately for things we defend, we must be ready to defend the rights of those who express the very opposite opinion. I try to remember if someone burns my Bible or flag they are burning symbols not the principles. Nor does it change my rights. That being said, I think the media should ignore the actions of one person. Much like the "church" that protests at military funerals. If we don't give them the stage, they don't have a message.
Richard in Canfield, Ohio:
Unfortunately, nothing will be done to this Neanderthal who put our troops at further risk by his stupid ignorant behavior.
Benny:
There is nothing that can be done. They could stop him from running a church or any religious institution on the grounds of inciting violence. But the people who need to be pulled into the twentieth century are the Afghans. They need to learn that not everyone believes in Mohammed or holds the Quran in high esteem, and there will be people who burn Qurans whether you like it or not.
Gordon:
He deserves to be ignored. All he wants is attention, which he gets from whatever kinds of people are drawn to a church of hate. I'd say that's enough. If I had any sense I would not read about him or respond. So I'm guilty as well. As for the discord in Afghanistan, it's not his fault. It's theirs. The Afghan leaders who encourage or accept murder in response to a senseless, yet harmless, act are more complicit in the deaths than the pastor. No one should be allowed to kill someone because of idiocy that's occurring 10,000 miles away.