Terry Jones, a leader of a South Florida church with about 50 members, captured worldwide attention for a week or so right on up to the highest levels of American government, the Defense Department and people in the Middle East. His gambit: Threatening to burn the Quran on the ninth anniversary of the 9-11 attacks.

… Radical acts are best met in minds such as Jones’ by radical acts. …

The American government probably couldn’t have stopped him, short of declaring the burning an act of treason in some form, because our nation is founded upon freedoms, including religion and speech. …

Jones made various claims about how the burning threat was tied to the plan to build an Islamic center near the World Trade Center attack site, a move that itself is wrongheaded no matter how well intentioned. Then, he made on-again, off-again threats through the week about the Quran burning, finally settling on an unequivocal statement that it won’t happen. …

Jones said he changed his mind because of a planned meeting with the New York mosque organizers.

It would have been better for all if he’d have sought that first.

It’s the world we live in nowadays, with instant and worldwide connection, that a single twisted person can capture the world’s attention and affect world events.

(Steubenville) Herald-Star