While the New York Times and most other papers in the United States refuse to run the cartoons that have inflamed radical Muslims–and I say “radical” because I’d like to think that the majority of Muslims would actually, y’know, follow the Prophet’s teaching and react to criticism with patience rather than violence–the University of Illinois student newspaper, “The Daily Illini,” ran an assortment of them.
And why not? A dozen pictures that would have been here today, gone tomorrow if radicals hadn’t made them a cause celebre have become a major news item. So the newspaper ran some of them.
The result? Angry protests from students and the newspaper editor has been relieved of duty. World reaction in microcosm.
The most laughable reaction is the Iranian newspaper that wants to run cartoons lampooning the Holocaust. This despite the fact that the cartoons ran in Denmark and had nothing to do with Jews, Israel, or the Holocaust. Perhaps it’s because a contest for cartoons lampooning Danish pastries doesn’t seem ripe for humor. Or perhaps Muslims have yet to encounter a problem that they can’t blame on the Jews. Most likely they consider cartoons attacking Jews to be “payback.” As far as Jews are concerned, Muslims lambasting Jews isn’t called “payback.” It’s called “SOP.”
There is nothing–I repeat, nothing–that some Iranian newspaper can run that’s going to get the average Jew to do anything other than roll his eyes and say, “Yeah, whatever.” We’re sure not going to start burning down Iranian restaurants or embassies over it.
This entire business has been revelatory. It underscores the complete Muslim disconnect between their own actions and others. Anti-semitism, anti-Americanism, insults and lambasting of others based upon race, color and creed is completely ingrained into their culture. But at the same time they demand complete respect for their beliefs from others who DO NOT SHARE THEM. They demand from others what they would not even remotely consider dispensing themselves.
And it underscores the complete chickenshit nature of governments here and abroad who seem far more eager to condemn the publishers of the cartoons than the overreactions to them. “How can someone provoke the Muslims?” people wonder. I wonder how people can NOT provoke them, or at least provoke their extremist factions who are determined to sell the idea that the world is out to get them. (Then again, if Christians can try to claim that they’re under attack in the ninety-percent Christian United States, I suppose anything is possible.)
Governments are trying to sell the notion that we must all be careful to be sensitive to the religious beliefs of others. Which is nonsense. Cartoons trashing Jews are standard in newspapers throughout the Arab world and I don’t see the U.N. making a stink about it. No, the truth is that various governments want to show respect for Muslim beliefs in the same way that one shows respect for a test tube of nitro glycerin: You don’t REALLY give a dámņ about its preachings. You just want to make sure not to shake it up so it doesn’t go off.
If the answer to free speech is more free speech, then apparently the answer to intolerance is more intolerance. Don’t say to the Arab world, “It’s a dámņëd cartoon, get a grip. And if you don’t like it, then how about cleaning up your own house by eliminating the practices that cause the world to see you as a bunch of dangerous, violent psychos, drowning out the teachings of peace and tolerance that your Prophet puts forward.” Say instead to everyone else, “Don’t get the Muslims upset because they’ll blow you up.”
What the hëll is it with extremists anyway that they use historical figures who preached the ways of peace to justify the ways of war?
PAD
• 
This entire business has been revelatory. It underscores the complete Muslim disconnect between their own actions and others. Anti-semitism, anti-Americanism, insults and lambasting of others based upon race, color and creed is completely ingrained into their culture.
For once, PAD, I agree with you. Completely. Without reservation.
It is about time that the truth is told about the Islamic governments in the Middle East. This is not about whether Islam is a “religion” of war or peace. This is about tyrants who abuse their own people and who do want to impose Islam on others.
Thanks for saying what needed to be said.
Iowa Jim
Bravo.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Your last comment reminds me of something, PAD: A line you wrote for Crusade. “Christ came to tell us to love one another and the last twenty-two hundred years, we’ve spent killing each other on how he said it.”
I’ve meant to ask you for a while…did you write that yourself or take it from somewhere? Somewhere specific; it’s certainly not a new sentiment, but the phrasing is specific.
Your last comment reminds me of something, PAD: A line you wrote for Crusade. “Christ came to tell us to love one another and the last twenty-two hundred years, we’ve spent killing each other on how he said it.”
I’ve meant to ask you for a while…did you write that yourself or take it from somewhere? Somewhere specific; it’s certainly not a new sentiment, but the phrasing is specific.
Your last comment reminds me of something, PAD: A line you wrote for Crusade. “Christ came to tell us to love one another and the last twenty-two hundred years, we’ve spent killing each other on how he said it.”
I’ve meant to ask you for a while…did you write that yourself or take it from somewhere? Somewhere specific; it’s certainly not a new sentiment, but the phrasing is specific.
The sick irony is, all this completely overblown outrage and violence on top of that is only giving ammunition to the people who created the cartoons in the first place: Look what happens. It shows we were right.
Here in Britain Muslims were protesting as well, showing posters saying “Massacre those who insult Islam” and other ones that are no better. There was a big discussion going on if the police should have arrested them straight away because here in Britain, inciting violence is an arrestable offense. Instead the police just collected evidence and might go after these demonstrators later.
It seems that was the last straw. In Britain, it had been discussed for quite a long time if a law should also be introduced that punishes the glorification of violence. It has been passed this week. About time!
I know, we Westerners should be tolerant of other religions and beliefs but on the other hand, I don`t have to like it. Most definitely, it annoys me that their values and beliefs are spilling into Britain as well which is after all not a Muslim country. An office in Britain orders all images of pigs being removed because one Muslim visitor complained. That included a tissue box with images from Winnie the Pooh cartoons.
It seems Germany is no better. My mother told me that in the school where I used to go school trips that involve over night stays in a youth hostel have been banned because Muslim parents don`t want their daughters to take place. And there is always the problem Muslims have with their precious daughters attending sports, especially together with boys.
I find this sickening. I am a woman and seeing the pictures of members of my gender treated and segregated like that makes me angry. Also here in Britain, men and women protested pretty much separately and many women covered themselves up.
If they hate the western life style so much, they should go back to their Muslim countries and live the way they want. I don`t think these cartoons are in good taste but there is no excuse for violence and threats.
“Or perhaps Muslims have yet to encounter a problem that they can’t blame on the Jews.”
Yeah, you quickly lost that whole “radical” adjective and went straight to sweeping generalisations there Peter.
a friend of mine argued that this isn’t so much about religion as it is about power and influence – the equivalent of Cartman demanding everybody respecting his “authoriTAH!” on a bloody continental scale. It’s tyranny. I refuse to cooperate and/or to kow-tow to anyone else’s religious sensibilities – I don’t care if you’re Osama bin Laden or William Donohue. They don’t respect my religious sensibilities (or lack thereof). They’ve stated their opinions, and now I’ll state mine:
“Eat it.”
If I wanted to life a life of no offense, I’d just listen to the _Delilah_ radio progam every night and start videotaping _Full House_ reruns. Screw that.
Sorry, that should read “live my life,” not “life my life.”
It looks like I’m going to pick up the skewed question, since none of the rest of you will. Mr. D said something about “burning down Iranian restaurants.”
What do they serve in Iranian restaurants?
It’d be a little snide to answer “goat,” but I can only think of the late Sam Kinison’s routine. “See what this is? It’s sand. You know what it’s gonna be twenty years from now? IT’S GONNA BE SAND!!! YOU LIVE IN A DESERT! YOU LIVE IN A ****ING DESERT!!”
So…they serve Keebler Pecan Sandies???
(No, seriously, if anyone knows what’s on the menu, let me know.)
It’s nice when I can post here and say I agree with you, Mr. David.
Keep it up.:D
two questions really
1 is it right to try and seek to offend someone knowing that what you are doing will do so?
2 if you have been offended do you have the right to seek punishment from the offender or make them stop what they are doing
the original cartoons were first published last september and at the times causesd a bit of a spat in Denmark and with some middle eastern governments who demanded an apology. fair enough
that apology was not forthcoming hence the cartoons which as usual most of the people complaining have never seen were passed onto the “arab street” around the same time several other european nations decided to “defend freedom of speech” by reprinting cartoons that somebody had already lodged a formal complaint about and that led us to were we are now
the first publication of the cartoons was as far as i’m concerned legigtamet after that however it was simply an attempt to piss people off
has for the second question if someone offends you are entitled to seek that stopped well it certainly appears to be the case how many stories can we all re-count of offensive shows been pulled. In the UK their was a big controversy when the BBC broadcasted the Jerry Springer musical (something i believe not a single US network will dare show) some stores in the UK refussed to stock it due to campaigns against.
also not so long ago i remember a certain homo-erotic/christian artwork having to be removed from a new york gallary due to offence caused
it seems to me in the west people are more sophisticated in their censorship it’s not a case of offend us and we’ll blow you up it’s more a case of offend us and we’ll shut you down
marvels fear of depicting a homo-sexual relationship with an ADULT label is another recent cowering to the argument
and a final question how many people who think these cartoons should be published also support the gay jesus art/plays or the gay captain america
I was wondering when Peter might comment on this, as he always has something insightful to say. The reaction of Muslims here in Britain has been a real eye opener, the sheer hypocrisy of their protest marches calling for more beheadings, bombings and any other forms of attack just shows they have no respect or connection to the rest of the people in the country.
The only thing worse than the protests however is the total lack of action by the police. If any other group of people went on a protest march calling for the deaths of the people of this country they would be arrested on the spot. The leader of the racist BNP party was recently put on trial just for calling Islam a “vicious, wicked” faith. Yet none of the placard holders calling for bombings had been arrested for their crimes. Appeasement like this just breeds animosity towards the Muslim community who now appear to be untouchable and allowed to do whatever they like.
“and a final question how many people who think these cartoons should be published also support the gay jesus art/plays or the gay captain america”
If Christians were really as bad as the Islamic radicals, the creators of South Park would have been hunted down and killed years ago, or the stations which broadcast them picketed. At the very least. Don’t remember it happening, though. It’s called having a sense of proportion.
“2 if you have been offended do you have the right to seek punishment from the offender or make them stop what they are doing”
They do have a problem there. Libel laws vary from country to country, so lawsuits are iffy. Worse, their very actions give ammunition to the defense which would make such suits a bit of a problem.
Then again, if Christians can try to claim that they’re under attack in the ninety-percent Christian United States, I suppose anything is possible.)
Just a brain-fart: Can 90% of pidgeons complain if the other 10% is the cat?
Or in simpler terms: Just because they’re paranoid…
Just a quick comment.
I’m seeing a good deal of generalisms being used here – muslims, christians, jews, etc – and that can be a very dangerous way to see the world or view people.
Please try to remember that while all muslims may be offended by the cartoons, not all are protesting violence or encouraging violence.
Personally, I believe in freedom of the press and would defend their right to publish what they feel is necessary.
However, having been raised to respect the beliefs of others, I find cartoons such as these needlessly offensive. Is it truly necessary to show deliberate contempt for another’s beliefs? I know some muslim countries do that, but do we really want to sink to their level?
Just my 2 cents…
Can 90% of pidgeons complain if the other 10% is the cat?
Not to get into THIS debate again, but when was the last time there was a Buddhist Inquisition, a Wiccan Crusade, or a slew of Jewish-backed witch trials? “The Cat” my ášš…
-Rex Hondo-
I’m so happy PAD commented on this and I agree with him pretty much down the line.
Yeah, you quickly lost that whole “radical” adjective and went straight to sweeping generalisations there Peter.
Since he went out of his way to say “I’d like to think that the majority of Muslims would actually, y’know, follow the Prophet’s teaching and react to criticism with patience rather than violence” I think that covers it for the rest of the posting.
1 is it right to try and seek to offend someone knowing that what you are doing will do so?
Is it right? Well, it’s probably a dìçk thing to do in most cases. Of course, sometimes you offend by pointing out an uncomfortable truth. Telling Muslims their religion is being hijacked by an intolerant mob of violent misogunistic, intolerant humanphobes may offend some but it might also wake some of them up.
If the question was “Is it A right to try and seek to offend someone knowing that what you are doing will do so?” the answer is yes.
2 if you have been offended do you have the right to seek punishment from the offender or make them stop what they are doing
No. Take a couple of toughen ups and contemplate what it is that makes you so insecure that you musty seek to punish and suppress those who hurt your feelings.
also not so long ago i remember a certain homo-erotic/christian artwork having to be removed from a new york gallary due to offence caused
Really? When was this? “Art” mocking Christ or the Pope is so commonplace it doesn’t even shock anymore. But even during the height of the “Piss Christ” debate I don’t recall rampaging hordes of Baptists calling for the beheadings of gallery owners. Christians seem to believe that their religion will survive its critics. Muslims, far too many of them, seem to fear that Islam will die if it is not maintained at the point of a sword. Why else must they demand death for those who convert? (at least in Saudi Arabia).
marvels fear of depicting a homo-sexual relationship with an ADULT label is another recent cowering to the argument
Maybe they are afraid of offending Muslims–given the recent executions of gays in Iran it would seem that they have a problem with this. Why needlessly provoke them?
and a final question how many people who think these cartoons should be published also support the gay jesus art/plays or the gay captain america
Support? As in waste my money on? Or as in I won’t go down to the theatre and burn it down?
Write anything you want about Jesus. I doubt he’ll notice and if he does, well, that’s YOUR problem. Yes, some other Christians will be far less sanguine about it and may even write harsh letters to the editor. But you’ll still live to attend another cocktail party with all your avante garde friends where you can tell each other how gutsy you all are.
Gay Captain America? Wasn’t Giant Sized Man-Thing enough for these people?
However, having been raised to respect the beliefs of others, I find cartoons such as these needlessly offensive. Is it truly necessary to show deliberate contempt for another’s beliefs? I know some muslim countries do that, but do we really want to sink to their level?
Not all the cartoons were offensive. Some just showed his image. It’s gotten to the point where any discussion of Islam’s history or beliefs that is not simple platitudes will enrage some of its followers.
Not to get into THIS debate again, but when was the last time there was a Buddhist Inquisition, a Wiccan Crusade, or a slew of Jewish-backed witch trials?
Well for that matter when was the last CHRISTIAN Inquisition, Crusade, etc? If it was longer than 45 years ago, not my problem. I have a very short attention span and no desire to hold grudges. Unusual in an Irishman, I know.
The part that strikes me is that one of the reasons they claim for the offense is that you aren’t supposed to show an image of the prophet, so as to not create idolatry to violate one of the Commandments. (I remember Larry Gonick having to work around this in his Cartoon History of the Universe in order to deal with Islam).
However, they don’t seem to understand the concept of idolatry. The riots show me that they idolize the concept of not depicting the prophet. It’s still idolatry, even if the physical object isn’t there. Maybe not in the literal sense, but definitely in the concept of worshipping the “thing” more than the deity. As Peter pointed out, they aren’t following the Prophets teachings, they are “saving” his image (or lack thereof).
The extremist Muslims seem to be the short kid on the playground. You know, the short kid that deliberately does things to tick the bigger kids off, so that the bigger kids will throw the first punch and the short kid can say “See? See? Everyone’s out to get me!” while thinking up the next plan to cause trouble. Part of the problem is diversity and respect. Now, I’m all for both, but you know what? THERE ARE LIMITS.
So England has thrown out freedom of speech in favor of political correctness?
Proves the English are pretty stupid…
As far as these street terrorists with their protests and arson and destruction of property, stop molly-coddling these bášŧárdš and start firing into the crowd! If they want to insist on violence being the best way to make themselves heard, then lets show them just how much violence we can ladel out to lawbreakers and terrorists.
In fact, The papers that refuse to run teh “cartoons” have given in to terror, and therefore can be considered to be AIDING AND ABETTING the terrorists….
Iranian restaurants are usually called “Persian restaurants,” the switch in names for many establishments coming back during the Iranian hostage crisis.
Here’s the menu of a fine persian restaurant in the gaslamp district in San Diego, Bandar:
http://www.bandarrestaurant.com/menu.htm
Persian cuisine doesn’t offer goat as far as I can remember but it does feature lamb, beef and chicken. My favorite persian dish is fesenjan, which is chicken stewed in pomegranate sauce. It’s pretty exquisite. If you do go to such a restaurant, I’d recommend the stews and soups over the kababs, just because the taste is more extreme.
There are some 600,000 Iranian-Americans living in Los Angeles, so that’s a good place to track such a restaurant down. If you like Indian or Greek food, you’d likely enjoy a Persian meal.
(Kinison told the sand joke about Ethiopians, and Ethiopian restaurants are great, too.)
If anyone’s interested in looking at the original 12 cartoons, we’ve had ’em up since October.
http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/briefings/commentary/4166/
Since I actually live in Champaign-Urbana, home of the U of I, I’d like to point out that the description of angry protests and editors relieved from duty comes off as a bit overstated. I have in front of me an article from the News-Gazette (www.news-gazette.com; if you want to read it, go to the URL, click on “News” on the upper left header and choose 2-15 in the news archives).
First of all, the two editors in question have been suspended for two weeks, not fired. Here’s part of the article:
On Monday, other editors complained that they were kept out of the decision-making process, in a lengthy and critical opinion piece.
The two managing editors both said they had serious issues with the way the cartoons were published.
“In my personal view, they should have never been published,” said Shira Weissman, managing editor for presentation.
“The decision was made by a select few people in the newsroom. We’re not going to issue any formal comments on the matter,” she said.
Jason Koch, managing editor for reporting, said “my opinion was if we were going to do it, we needed to do it in a different manner” with more explanation of the context and intent.
The editor said the publication was presented to him as a fait accompli.
“The completed page was shown to me at 5 the night it was done, with the understanding it was not to be changed,” Koch said.
In other words, the issue isn’t so much whether the cartoons were run but how it was handled.
There’s also a picture of a student protest that isn’t on the online version. No one looks terribly angry, and no one’s carrying signs calling for a fatwa on the editors or anything like that. (I don’t know about the rally preceding the picture, but I didn’t hear about anyone carrying flaming torches and pitchforks or the like; it might well have been “angry” for all I know but it doesn’t seem to have been violent.)
Anyway, just thought people would appreciate having more detailed information to base their opinions on.
Not directly (well, not at all) related to this thread, but here is something interesting:
http://clancmsf.tripod.com/KlingonsForChrist.html
Can you imagine an empire full of fundamentalist christian klingons!? Hmmm, could Pat Robertson actually be one of the human/klingon augments? (mental augmentation definately didn’t take, though ^_^).
Not surprisingly, there’s been another call for murder of the cartoonists, this time from a Pakistani cleric.
Between the Googles and Microsofts bowing down to the Chinese government, and the rest of the world trying to appease the worst of Islam…
Are there any other planets out there worth living on?
“Not to get into THIS debate again, but when was the last time there was a Buddhist Inquisition, a Wiccan Crusade, or a slew of Jewish-backed witch trials? “The Cat” my ášš…”
See, I hate this. You use 2 examples of pre reformation catholic church, and the actions of a group of so-called Christians who were soooo extreme, they were imprisoned in England for being religious extremists, and had to come to the new world to practice their viewpoint of religious extremism…. as critiques of Chrisitianity? You might as well say “Carl Marx was white so all white people are communists”…
This is the same type of ignorance of the Christian religion (and the Catholic religion) and it’s history I see every day.
My sis-in-law is half Mexican half Iranian and has extended family in both countries. She and my bro (a whitey) visited Tehran about two years ago, and they both said that Iranians (though perhaps it’s just the citified Tehranians) love the west and the United States. When I see stuff on the news, I figure that it’s just a bunch of Muslim Pat Robertsons. If only there was an Iranian ATF organization…
Another poster above mentioned that we Westerners should be tolerant of other religions and beliefs. That’s fine, but that’s not good enough for these die-hard extremist types. They want us to thoroughly accept and passionately embrace their beliefs as our own. Anything less is considered a spit in the face.
And honestly, if many of today’s religious leaders were asked the question ‘Would you be happy if everyone in the world converted to your religion?’ deep down they would be thinking ‘yes’, no matter what they say. In this way, religion is a game of Monopoly that no one religion will ever win. No one religion will ever be the primary religion to 100% of the world. Yet this is what these extremists in particular are striving for: There is a difference between quietly hoping that all the world shared your religion, and violently trying to make it happen, or at least eradicate those who do not see it your way.
Tolerance only works if EVERYONE involved is tolerant.
The extremist Muslims seem to be the short kid on the playground. You know, the short kid that deliberately does things to tick the bigger kids off, so that the bigger kids will throw the first punch and the short kid can say “See? See? Everyone’s out to get me!” while thinking up the next plan to cause trouble.
Yeah, and one of the most extreme of the regimes wants to become a nuclaer power. And the plan seems to be (once again) let the Iraelis do the dirty work and earn stern rebukes from countries that are secretly thrilled that someone else took the heat.
At least THAT kind of heat doesn’t kill a few million people.
In fact, The papers that refuse to run teh “cartoons” have given in to terror, and therefore can be considered to be AIDING AND ABETTING the terrorists….
No, freedom of the press means they have the right to NOT run the cartoons. Yes, it’s cowardly. They have the right to be cowards.
As far as these street terrorists with their protests and arson and destruction of property, stop molly-coddling these bášŧárdš and start firing into the crowd!
Fire on protestors? Hello? Are you serious?
First of all, the two editors in question have been suspended for two weeks, not fired. Here’s part of the article:
Suspended from the paper? Or suspended from school?
Is there any doubt in your mind that if the cartoons had mocked the Pope there would have been no suspension?
The lesson this has taught extremists of all kinds is this–if you want to be taken seriously, they must fear you. If you want to be feared, you need to spill a little blood. Better yet, a lot.
So…what do we do about this?
BTW, there’s a great little editorial animated cartoon at http://www.novatv.nl/index.cfm?ln=nl&fuseaction=artikelen.details&achtergrond_id=8350&CFID=2735238&CFTOKEN=57221010
Pretty much sums it up.
Here’s an interesting response from an Israeli comic publisher to the Iranian anti-semitic cartoon contest.
In brief: You think you can create the best anti-Semitic cartoons?…we’ll show you…Jews themselves can create the best. So we’re running our own contest.
By the way…
Editorial cartoons offend..by definition.
If there is an editorial cartoon out there that everybody in the world can read, and smile, the cartoonist should be shot (or at least peppered in the face.)
Note: Family Circle is not an Editorial Cartoon.
By definition an editorial cartoon critiques some aspect of society. If it is wrong to offend people, then editorial cartoons should be eliminated completely, as should editorial commentary, it should be made illegal to criticize politicians, and we all should be required by law to act as Thumper was told to act.
Circus. Family Circus.
I was talking about these cartoons with some of my friends, and we noted that in some cases the governments of the countries wherein protests occured encouraged the protesters. These countries’ leaders were using the cartoons to distract their constituents from real problems, like schools and food.
Which, when you think about it, is an extreme example of something we don’t see all that infrequently here in the U.S.
-Andy Holman
The editor of “The Daily Illini” was fired/suspended for publishing those Danish cartoons? Hmmmm.
There’s a bit of irony there considering how hard the University of Illinois is fighting to keep its Chief Illiniwek athletic mascot — you know, the guy who dressed up for every football game in feather headdress, warpaint, tomahawk, etc.
Seems to me there’s a double standard of religious sensitivities here, considering how the headdress has religious symbolism to Native Americans.
I mean, if your policy is to allow freedom of expression that ignores religious sensitivities for one religion but not another, your policy is inherently flawed.
Here in Canada, Muslims are protesting peacefully. Protesting the conflict, really. Makes me happy to live here in spite of the new government.
“”I mean, if your policy is to allow freedom of expression that ignores religious sensitivities for one religion but not another, your policy is inherently flawed.””
Is that policy filed under picking and choosing your battles or just blatant cowardice?
So…what do we do about this?
If the kinds of protests that are occurring elsewhere were occurring here, with people holding signs calling for murder and whatnot, I’d say deport them from the country. (And they can toss in Pat Robertson for good measure.)
We have enough bs going on in this country to have to put up with blatant calls for death & destruction, regardless of what quarter it’s coming from.
“As far as these street terrorists with their protests and [/B] arson and destruction of property [/b] , stop molly-coddling these bášŧárdš and start firing into the crowd!
Fire on protestors? Hello? Are you serious?”
Learn to read Bill, if they are engaging in vandalism, arson, and commiting acts of violence, they cease being protesters and become terrorists.
“Yeah, you quickly lost that whole “radical” adjective and went straight to sweeping generalisations there Peter.”
I didn’t “lose” it. Having offered it up front and made it clear that I don’t think extremist Muslims represent the rank and file any more than Chassidic Jews represent me or Jerry Falwell represents middle-of-the-road Christians, I didn’t feel the need to keep reiterating it. I figured people would be smart enough to keep it in their head and just take it for granted that I didn’t change my hand halfway through the posting. Pity that’s not always the case.
“Seems to me there’s a double standard of religious sensitivities here, considering how the headdress has religious symbolism to Native Americans.
I mean, if your policy is to allow freedom of expression that ignores religious sensitivities for one religion but not another, your policy is inherently flawed.”
Good point. Perhaps Native Americans should go on the literal warpath against the college, if the only thing that gets response is fear of violence.
PAD
Perhaps Native Americans should go on the literal warpath against the college
Nah, some of them tried that ~150 years ago, and our military “put them down”.
I don’t think anyone has been speaking in generalizations here…I think we are all intelligent enough to realize that there are good people and not so good people no matter what race or religion they happen to be.
I am currently involoved with a woman who is of arabic origin and while she didn’t find the cartoons particulaurly funny…she doesn’t believe anyone should be executed for them either.
I am sure there are muslims on both sides of “the fence”.
And anyway…HEY…wait a minute…did someone on here post a while back that Captain America is GAY…?
Cap is GAY…? PAD…tell me it isn’t so…
Not that there is anything wrong with that…
Ooppss…I mean involved…I dodn’t know what involoved is…sheesh…
Okay, now (thanks to Tom)I’ve seen all the cartoons.
In the words of that great philosopher, Bugs Bunny, “What’s all the hubbub, bub?”
The one about the virgins was amusing. The others were pretty pointless, unless they were meant to illustrate some article or op-ed piece to which we were not privy. (Well, the one with the blackboard also had an interesting point to make – about the cartoons themselves, and about the publisher, not about Mohammed or Islam.)
So why should anyone publish them? Just because they’re inflammatory? To seize on a comparison made earlier, were you insisting back in the day that your newspaper should run pictures of Piss Christ, rather than mere descriptions of the piece? Were the editors cowards for not running those pics – or was the story really about reactions to a crucifix immersed in a beaker of urine, rather than about the piece itself?
Had the real story been about the cartoons, they would have been published, and written about, when they first came out. The story now is about how radical Islam is reacting to the existence of the cartoons, not the cartoons themselves. Running them in a major newspaper would smack of tabloid-style sensationalism, at the very least.
Bladestar, the protestors who are committing arson are doing so in the same Muslim countries that are encouraging this. Not only are they not going to do anything of the sort, they WANT them to burn as many embassies and McDonalds as possible.
The ones in England have had loathsome sentiments displayed but I don’t think it’s wise to shoot people over words.
My sister is Iranian (long story) and it’s true that many, if not most Iranians are pretty disgusted with the ruling old men who are intent on making Iran one of the great civilizations of the 17th century. Sadly, I don’t think they have the ability to overthrow them at this time.
Jonathon, I disagree. The fact that people can’t see the photos has allowed the radicals to make them sound truly twisted and blasphemous. News is supposed to inform and I can’t for the life of me see how one can be informed about this controvsersy without at least seeing the photos.
And it grates that the papers claim they are doing this out of respect. No they aren’t. It’s fear, pure and simple.