Yes, the media played into the Florida pastor's hands, potentially enlarging the provocation manyfold.

But I think your counter-comparison is not correct. The reverse would be some rural Islamic cleric organising a bible-burning, not some swarthy types in Alabama. The matching (over)reaction would be mainstream church goers torching Islamic Community Centres in retaliation. Yeah, it's an imperfect comparison. I'm not even sure if it be more correct or not if it were non-extremist church goers.

So do we know that Florida pastor's intent? Was he really intending to piss off Islamic clerics halfway around globe? Or is he a mere misguided soul simply given too much visibility? He could really believe what he says about the Koran. I could be giving him too much of the benefit of the doubt.

Wade.