Has Petraeus Heard of the Constitution?

What is it with General David Petraeus, head of U.S. forces inAfghanistan? Has he not heard of the Constitution?

Let me explain what I mean. Now we are at the nine-yearanniversary of the horrible 9/11 terrorism that killed over 3,000Americans. Various people are marking the event's anniversary invarious ways. One of the kookier ways is that a small church inGainesville, Florida is hosting -- or is planning to host -- aburning of the Islamic Holy Book, the Koran. The burning, a nuttyidea, is to protest the church's views of Islam asintolerant.

This is a tiny little church and it will be a smallevent.

But however small an event it is, it's peaceful, does notinvolve violence, and should be fully protected by theConstitution.

Of course, as one might expect, some Muslims areinfuriated by this plan and I don't blame them. It's infuriating.But it's still protected by the Constitution as an exercise ofreligious freedom.

Now comes General Petraeus, who says that people arerioting over this in Afghanistan, which is true, and that thechurch should not go ahead with its planned burning because it willmake Muslims angry at the U.S. and they will take it out on U.S.troops.

Now, I am sure General Petraeus has a good point here.But, here is a bigger point: we are not supposed to have militarymen telling American civilians what they can and cannot do in theirhouses of worship. Yes, General Petraeus is an important figure. Bythe way, he's also the soldier who said American support of Israelmade Muslims angry at U.S. troops and I don't think Generals aresupposed to be making foreign policy either. But certainly,generals, even with a lot of stars on their epaulets, are not incharge of free speech and religious observance here.

Really, it's even worse than that. He is saying thatfreedom of religion in America makes his job more difficult. Butfree exercise of religion comes way before how difficult his jobis. And, yes, we don't want to offend Muslims, but why would weeven consider sacrificing our freedom of religious expression tocater to them? And what kind of war is won by kowtowing to thepeople who hate us?

Something's wrong here. Good luck in Afghanistan, General,but freedom of religious expression is a lot bigger than you oreven the war in Afghanistan.