Posted on 02/06/2006 3:56:26 PM PST by Dark Skies
We're witnessing a tectonic clash of civilizations -- over a simple line drawing. And it is now clear to me, in a way that it never was before, that Islamists truly do hate our freedoms, our way of life.
I have no doubt that the cartoonish depictions of the prophet Mohammed in a Danish newspaper are blasphemous to millions of believers worldwide. But, hell, so is the Rolling Stone cover depicting Kanye West as Christ in his crown of thorns.
Just like fatwa against Salman Rushsdie, the violence spawned by these Danish illustrations is unjustifiable in the civilized world, and must not be appeased -- least of all by the Bush State Department, which weighed in over the weekend opining that, "inciting religious or ethnic hatreds in this manner is not acceptable."
I would be defending these cartoons even if they were simply noxious hate speech. But they're far from that. As I understand it, they accompanied an article about a woman who couldn't convince any illustrator to work on a children's book about Mohammed -- because the artists all feared violent retribution.
There's no small irony in the fact that the cartoonist's critique of unhinged Islamist violence (most pointedly, a drawing of Mohammed with a bomb in his turban) has inspired unhinged Islamist violence.
This is the dilemma we face: Politically and economically, the modern world has left much of the Muslim society behind. The only lever of power that impotent Islamists and Islamist nations now have to make the West take them seriously is violence. By kowtowing to this violence, we only reinforce its power and guarantee its spread.
Westerners ought to learn how to respect Muslim traditions and not needlessly anger the faithful. And if there is any upside to this embarrassing episode its that millions of non-Muslims worldwide may come to know more about what the Islamic religion holds sacred.
But the right to profane is fundamental to the freedom of the world. Andrew Sullivan is exactly right: Freedom of speech is "nonnegotiable". We should no sooner appease the angry throngs who burn embassies in Damascus than we would enter into a "truce" with bin Laden.
Of course, I spent the afternoon at the dentist's office and the cocktail hour has already begun here...
Amazing isn't it. I am an artist who spent his first life as an investment banker on Wall St. 9/11 made an indelible mark on me and I am living proof that not all artists are liberal.
I never thought I would see lefties getting their dander up re: islam...but it is starting.
I think they knew that they were on the wrong side all along , and now this incident provides a convenient excuse to switch sides.
I believe that the only persons left behind are those who WISH to be left behind.
Famous muslim scientists, anyone??
I saw a pig fly?
-Westerners ought to learn how to respect Muslim traditions and not needlessly anger the faithful.-
They are already angry, and their traditions are violent. And, they can kiss my pert American a$$.
Okay, I'm liking the gist of the article, but point here: modernity did not leave Muslim society behind. Muslim society, by voluntary adherence to a particular version of Islam, failed to jump on the modernity train when it was leaving the station.
The West no more left Muslim societies behind than the West left Amish societies behind. Hello.
As for finding some means to force the West to "take Muslim societies seriously," whaaaa?? What is the author trying to say? Why do all societies have to be taken seriously (whatever that means) and why do Muslim societies care if we, the Infidel, take them "seriously"?
Is this something like the immature concept of being "dissed"? Is that what all this mayhem and bloodshed and death to fill-in-the-blank is about---the Oprah-like grievance of not being appreciated for -- sob -- who you truly are?
And, again, hello. Memo to Muslim societies: the West takes your oil plenty seriously. You have power because of it, period. Once the West gets fed up with you and decides to get off the dime and modernize (ooohhh-there's that word again) from the 19th century combustible engine, forgeddaboutit.
"Westerners ought to learn how to respect Muslim traditions"???
I can't even go there.
Yes, it's just more of the kum-by-ya chorus in the background.
Hey, I am confused as everyone...the world is upside down. Even libs and conservatives agree on islam...What the heck?
But then the crazed people will be official and the terrorism will officially be state-sponsored.
Then no worries, mate, about going to all-out war against them. We know who they are, we know who to defeat, we know who to destroy. It's infinitely better than fighting an amorphorous movement which seems to be operating in the midst of "civilians" who may or may not agree to terrorism as a means of achieving their state's goals.
Westerners ought to learn how to respect Muslim traditions and not needlessly anger the faithful.
Gee, they don't seem too worried about respecting our traditions or offending us. Maybe its because impotent rage is the only contribution that Muslims make to the modern world. Is is their coin of the realm and only true export. The more we give it creedence and kowtow to it, the more they will do it. Frankly, we should mock it and tell 'em to get stuffed.
As I said in the title line of the post..."IRONIC" ain't it?
This is so blasphemous I forgot to riot.
That sentence was disowned in the next paragraph. When a scientist sets out to prove a point...he/she most likely will do so.
When a scientist sets out to find the truth...well, read on!..and think...
The Moonbat Cindy Sheehan clones that make up a big part of RS's readership aren't going to like this. LOL
"Maybe they both said it."
Maybe they both did, because I'm pretty sure I heard a third person say it.
And if it's a question of "offensive" as opposed to "fighting words" or "fire in a crowded theatre", I agree.
This whole Muslim cartoon mess has reminded me of the time Art Spieglemen (sp?) who can be very good, or very bad, was very bad and the New Yorker mag enabled him, and had as an Easter week cover his drawing of an Easter Bunny crucified on the Cross. In fact, I'm surprised nobody but me seems to remember it, it was quite a scandal at the time. In any even, I have a subscription to the magazine, and when the dreaded edtion arrived I had to give it a moment's thought as to what to do with it. I quickly decided burning was too good for it and threw it in the kitchen garbage can.
But I can sincerely tell you all, as much of a rager as I can be, and I can be pretty bad, not for one moment did I want to kill the guy, burn down the New Yorker, or anything like that at all.
Hello, Muslims of the world, "letter to the editor" is a phrase you all need to learn.
Yeshua has been crucified a million times and He is still untouched.
Mohammed can't stand the slightest insult.
Heh, heh!
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