UPDATE: Reuters reports Jones agrees NOT to burn Korans.
Speaking this morning on ABC’s Good Morning America, President Barack Obama strongly condemned an extreme Florida evangelical church's plans to burn the Islamic holy book on September 11. The President said the "stunt" proposed by Gainesville-based Pastor Terry Jones is "contrary to our values as Americans" and could be a "recruitment tool for Al-Qaeda" ... with deadly repercussions.
Said the President: "As Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, I just want him to understand that this stunt that he is talking about pulling could greatly endanger our young men and women in uniform who are in Iraq, who are in Afghanistan. ... [T]his is a recruitment bonanza for Al Qaeda. You know, you could have serious violence in places like Pakistan or Afghanistan. This could increase the recruitment of individuals who’d be willing to blow themselves up in American cities, or European cities."
Pastor Terry Jones says he is willing to "reconsider" if he is contacted by the Administration. "The White House is considering calling Jones [who] has said he is willing to listen to a call from the White House, Pentagon or State Department," reports ABC News.
Reuters reports Jones agrees NOT to burn Korans.
Hundreds of Afghans rallied earlier this week and chanted "Death to Obama" over the proposed Koran-burning.
McCain and McConnell warn the Koran-burning risks endangering US troops in the field.
Fox News says it will not cover any burning of the Koran.
And Terry Jones has inspired at least one copy cat on the far Cristian-right. Rev. Bob Old of Springfield, TN says he will "set fire to a Quran on Saturday at his home and then post a video of the burning book online. And if he had his way, there would be no Muslims in America."
Watch the President's interview WHEN YOU JUMP ...
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