Holder, Axelrod Denounce Florida Church's Planned Quran Burning

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The leader of a small Florida church that espouses anti-Islam philosophy said Wednesday he was determined to go through with his plan to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11, despite pressure from the White House, religious leaders and others to call it off. "We are still determined to it, yes," the Rev. Terry Jones told the CBS Early Show. Jones' plans drew criticism from Attorney General Eric Holder, who, according to a Justice Department official, called the bonfire idiotic and dangerous during a private with religious leaders Tuesday. Holder's words were echoed Wednesday by presidential adviser David Axelrod, who

told NBC's Today show that the pastor's plan is "wrong in so many dimensions," offends U.S. values and is a threat to U.S. security. Axelrod told CNN Wednesday morning: "The reverend may have the right to do what he's doing but it's not right. It's not consistent with our values ... I hope that his conscience and his good sense will take hold."

[What about burning copies of the Jewish holy book, the Torah? Would Mr. Axelrod, who btw. is Jewish, be so laid-back if someone were planning to do so? Somehow we rather doubt it...]