The Pentagon never invited him in the first place — a prayer task force that partners with the chaplain’s office for the National Day of Prayer event did — but either way, the boot has now duly been given. I get why a military that includes members of all faiths might not want a guy who’s pronounced Islam “evil” speaking at one of their semi-official functions. What I don’t get is where this sudden sense of propriety comes from, since of course this is the same military that was content to look the other way while jihadist fanatic Nidal Hasan ranted openly to colleagues about why infidels should be beheaded. Apparently, that sort of nuance can get a man promoted to major these days.

Plus, needless to say, now that goofing on Mohammed is officially verboten on certain American television networks, no one’s much in the mood for another story about “sensitivities.”

Earlier Thursday, Graham stuck by his remarks about Islam, including that Muslims are “enslaved” by their religion,

Franklin, the son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, told Fox News that he loves Muslim people and wants them to know that God loves them, even if they can be saved only through Jesus Christ…

After the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Graham said Islam “is a very evil and wicked religion.” In a later op-ed piece in The Wall Street Journal, Graham wrote that he did not believe Muslims were evil because of their faith, but “as a minister … I believe it is my responsibility to speak out against the terrible deeds that are committed as a result of Islamic teaching.”

It’s all about tolerance, right? Not quite:

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation raised the objection to the appearance, citing Graham’s past remarks about Islam, in a letter sent Monday to Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Mikey Weinstein, president of the foundation, said the invitation offended Muslim employees at the Pentagon because Graham never retracted or apologized for his description of Islam as evil. Weinstein said the invitation would endanger American troops by stirring up Muslim extremists.

South Park redux: Silence the critic or risk being bombed. “Tolerance” is nothing but a garnish.

Here’s Graham talking to WaPo about his views on Islam. Exit quotation from this allegedly retrograde avatar of archaic intolerance: “[I]f you look at what the religion does just to women, women alone, it is just horrid. And so yes, I speak out for women…”