Posted on 02/01/2006 8:16:27 AM PST by nuconvert
First they came for the funny ones
Published February 1, 2006
Kathleen Parker
Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of political cartoonists.
Not this time for the ones losing newspaper jobs, but for those whose lives are literally on the line thanks to outraged Islamists offering a bounty for their heads.
The cartoonists in question are a dozen Danish artists who drew Muhammad-themed cartoons last September for the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten during an exercise to test the limits of free speech. The cartoon-a-thon was conceived in response to complaints from a Danish author who couldn't find anyone to illustrate her Muhammad children's book.
Although the book itself was not controversial, the Muslim faith considers it blasphemy to depict the Prophet in any way. Thus, in December, the youth branch of Pakistan's largest religious party, Jamaat-e-Islami, offered a bounty for murdered cartoonists.
One could make a quick argument against publishing some of the cartoons for being mediocre, but free speech makes no demand for quality. More to the point, the Danish cartoon controversy proves the larger truth that those groups most vocal in demanding tolerance from others are usually themselves the least tolerant.
Denmark is a cautionary tale for those who doubt the insidious and serious nature of our enemies and illustrates the deep schism between believers in democratic ideals and many of those we hope to convert. In the relaxed parlance of our uniquely Western attitude toward irreverence, they don't get it.
Until Muslim nations and peoples do get the idea that free expression means freedom to offend as well as the necessary correlative -- to be offended -- we have a problem. And people like former President Bill Clinton, who essentially sided with jihadists with his recent comments on the cartoon controversy,
(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...
Thanks for the ping!
The Turbanator...I love it. I'll bet GW would too!
Now now. You will make Arnold jealous :)
The Osama bin Hilters are my favorite. Hitler humor really cracks me up. I may have just been corrupted by Monty Python growing up though :)
I don't think they're allowed to depict any human or animal image.
Bush should consider a new do.... Looks Bishin'
They seem to ignore it when making Jewish drawings.....! They are two faced, just like Liberals....
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