[Leaning Right]

Geller's event was a provocation, and of a different order from simply criticizing Islam.

So what? Those blacks at the lunch counter could have written letters to the editor instead. Do you think those blacks simply wanted lunch and the black section was full? No, they wanted to make a point, a very public point.

Geller's event was not violent. And neither were the lunch counter protests. The violent responses were due to those who chose to fire guns and swing clubs.

And be careful here, Steve. once we stop defending anyone's right to be provocative, we lose a key freedom. As an example, I recently read a liberal opinion piece that argued that even nonviolent criticism of Obama should be outlawed, as it could lead to assassination attempts.

[Steve_Seattle]

"And be careful here, Steve. once we stop defending anyone's right to be provocative, we lose a key freedom."

I'm not questioning their right to do it, just disagreeing with it in this instance. And I am not against cartoons dealing with Islam per se (several very good ones have appeared in FR over the years), but for staging an event in which creating offensive cartoons is the primary purpose.

[Yaelle]

I can’t believe you think blacks breaking an unconstitutional “law” to be treated equal to whites is the same thing as Piss Christ.

You guys are not using any sort of logic at all.

This contest was equal to Piss Christ. It was equal to The Book of Mormon musical. Come on, people.