Taking the Blame

Most news organizations, for example the New York Times, are reporting that Newsweek is withdrawing the article that mentioned that a copy of the Koran had been flushed down the toilet at Guantánamo Bay. At least 17 people died as a result of the violence that took place over this report. There has apparently been intense pressure from the White House on this matter, but the pertinent point is that the magazine can no longer sufficiently substantiate the story.

While it is right and proper for a story that cannot be adequately substantiated to be withdrawn, in my opinion almost all news stories on this are missing the most important point. While Newsweek may have done something wrong here, isn't it most ridiculous, most outrageous and most morally reprehensible that some people were able to kill many other people over a book being flushed down the toilet? Only religious fervor can lead to this - no rational behavior allows for it.

Go ahead, flush a copy of the Principia today; I promise you'll be OK.