But while I was out earlier, Gates’s spokesman, Geoff Morrell, released the following statement:

“Secretary Gates reached out to Pastor Jones this afternoon. They had a very brief phone conversation during which the Secretary expressed his grave concern that going forward with the Quran burning would put at risk the lives of our forces around the world, especially those in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he urged the Pastor not to proceed with it.”

I’m about to go back out for the evening. And I’m truly hoping that when I return, I’ll see that this is the end to this entire sorry affair and not a new phase that places Imam Rauf, a decent man, in an untenable situation.