I'm with the Danes. To refresh your jaded memories, from the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten:
http://www.zombietime.com/...
Unfortunately, because of the reprehensible language barriers that most Americans labor under (too many Americans barely even manage to conquer their nation's native language, American-English, as profoundly illustrated in the speeches of America's current fearful leader), we are largely ignorant of what sort of offensive speech and imagery is published in radical Islamic presses encouraged by nations not friendly to Western thought.
I have no desire to censor that particular press, no matter how rabidly anti-American it may be; in the same spirit, cartoons offensive to the sensibilities of those who blaspheme western ideals should not be censored in western press, particularly the Danish press. Frankly, some of the more thoughtful arguments of Islamic leaders have a lot to say about what is wrong with Western, particularly, American materialism. It would be very nice to exchange barbed criticism of both sides at a more civilized level, but with our present leadership and its ability to incite rage all over the world, such elevated levels of communication are not possible at this time.
And, in the spirit of our fearful leader, riots and violence erupted around the world in response to the cartoons. Remember our own native riot in Florida in 2000 to ensure the anointing of his present fearfulness:
Nov. 28, 2000 | MIAMI -- On the surface, it looked like the good people of Miami at their worst again. Last week's melee at the county offices here -- followed by the local canvassing board's abrupt cancellation of a hand recount -- had all the trademarks of Miami's notorious tantrum politics. Screaming, shoving, fist-waving, intimidation, ties to Elian Gonzalez and even hints of good ol' Cuban-American political corruption.
But the fact is that the fracas at Miami's recount headquarters was engineered and carried out by Republican Party operatives imported from the heartland, far from South Florida. They might have reminded viewers of Elian's Army -- and might even have taken lessons from the Cubans -- but, by all accounts, the city's strident conservative exile community was very much in the minority. As one observer put it: "There were no guayaberas. This crowd looked tweedy. They were from out of town."
Indeed, all on-the-scene reports coming out now indicate that the Miami protest was carried out by rent-a-rioters flown in by the Republican Party. GOP spokespeople have said that at least 750 Republican activists have been sent into South Florida from around the country to oppose the recount, with the party picking up the tab for a number of them. And last Wednesday, when a gaggle of protesters sprang into action in Miami, those efforts seem to have paid off....The incident -- the ugliest single set piece of the Election 2000 epic and possibly the most decisive one -- was set in motion by one imported GOP operative: Rep. John Sweeney, R-N.Y., who from an office in that same county building has led the Miami fight against the recount.
But Sweeney wasn't alone. According to the Miami Herald, he had a few helpers, including Elizabeth Ross, a staffer for Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., and Thomas Pyle, an aide to House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas.
http://archive.salon.com/...
Violence to intimidate and oppress. And to silence.
The violence follows attacks on Danish embassies in Syria and Lebanon over the weekend. The cartoons were first published in a Danish newspaper.
Tensions continue to escalate around the world:
Norway demands compensation from Syria after its embassy in Damascus was set on fire on Saturday
The Turkish and Spanish prime ministers make a joint plea for respect and calm in an article in the International Herald Tribune
In Indonesia, protesters target the Danish and US consulates in Surabaya, the country's second largest city. Protests are also held in the capital, Jakarta
Riot police in the Indian capital, Delhi, fire tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of student protesters
Shops and businesses across Indian-administered Kashmir close after a general strike is called in protest at the drawings
In Thailand, protesters shout "God is great" and stamp on Denmark's flag outside the country's embassy in Bangkok, the Associated Press news agency reports
There are protests again outside the European Union offices in Gaza, following demonstrations there last week.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/...
In the midst of all this barbaric nonsense, Flemming Rose must stand as a free speech advocate of the new millenium. Rose is the Danish editor who commissioned the cartoons for Jyllands-Posten.
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
We are beset by very similar problems in this nation. We fear to say the truth that Bush and his administration are a gang of lying thieves. We fear to criticize Christianity. We fear to openly declare ourselves atheists, if that's what we are. We constantly tiptoe about on eggshells, fearful of offending someone. We have forgotten the somewhat blasphemous spirit of our nation, the right to do such things as burn our flag in protest of our nation's policies, and our timorous, fearful congress is huddled at this moment, intent upon shredding our Constitution at the behest of Cheney/Bush -- hmmm, could this be the antrax effect?
Excuse me while I spit out a few offensive things.
I curse God and all believers! Especially since September 11, 2001, when we were attacked by "God" fearing idiots who committed their heinous crimes in the name of their cursed god.
I think Cheney orchestrated the antrax attacks on Senators Leahy and Daschle.
Christians and Muslims hate and oppress women.
And, where is the Free Speech Movement, now that we really need it?
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
And George Carlin? And Lenny Bruce?