But how come an extremist planning a book-burning that would disgrace any time after the Middle Ages has some of the top politicians in the West jerking around like puppets on a string ?

Is it the fault of the 24-hour media that has focused on this planned demonstration by a tiny number of people?

Is it the fault of those even more extreme who might react to an offensive display by murder and terrorism?

Is it the fault of General Petraeus for catapulting this into the headlines in the first place?