Gainsville, Fla. – The Rev. Terry Jones, Pastor of the Dove World Outreach Center in Florida, is once again igniting controversy. Jones recently hung an effigy of President Obama on the lawn of his Florida church. Jones’ vile stunt also included a video rant in which he accuses President Obama of killing babies, promoting homosexuality and increasing the nation’s debt.
“It’s time for the United States to stand up. That is why we have chosen the hanging of Uncle Sam – to represent how Hussein Obama is destroying our nation.” In the nearly 5 minute video, Jones also accuses the president of financially supporting Islamic radicals. “That is why we have chosen the hanging of Hussein Obama – to represent how the American people must in a peaceful way stand up and reject President Obama – reject his Anti American policies.”
Jones first made national headlines two years ago when he threatened to burn a Koran. Jones’ threat was in response to efforts by an Islamic group to build a cultural center several blocks from the site of the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks. However, several rounds of discussions with religious leaders and government officials stopped Jones from carrying out the Koran burning. Those discussions included a personal call from Defense Secretary, Robert Gates.
Last year, Jones and his son Luke eventually burned a Koran on a grill outside their Florida church. The incident sparked an attack on a U.N. compound in Afghanistan. Seven people were also killed during violent protests in the town of Mazar-e Sharif. Jones was unapologetic in response to the violence. It’s not clear if there was a direct threat toward President Obama in the hanging effigy. However, the U.S. Secret Service is now investigating.
