[bybybill]

I don`t think that this flap over cartoons quite meets the level that Niemoller was talking about.
There is a difference between a free press and common sense.
Know you will duck this, but I`ll try anyway. What do think about the NYT`s publishing a story about the wire taps? Under some peoples opinion, they have the right to do that. Think it was a responsible thing to do?

[Billthedrill]

Well, actually the case is that the NYT did NOT have a right to publish highly classified information in order to damage a political opponent. But that's irrelevant to this particular issue.

Here we have a deliberate attempt on the part of the Moslem Brotherhood and its Sunni allies to foment violence in an attempt to intimidate the entire European press. At the moment I write it seems to have about a 50/50 chance of total success. It seems to me that this is exceedingly dangerous. I would expect our own press to behave with something more than the craven trembling that I have seen so far.

This should not be a big deal - so far I agree with you - but it has been made a big deal by those who would treat it as casus belli, and that is a very grave matter indeed.

[Chgogal]

If the NYT gets blown up by Al Qaeda next time, yup I think it will have been a good thing. ;)

Did you read the shortcuts I posted to you. Because you are changing the topics, which I personally find slimy.

This is how I would have handled the problem if I were at the State Department. I would have had enlarged copies of the nasty bigoted anti-Jewish and anti-Christian cartoons that are printed daily in the Arab press as well as the rather tame anti-Muslim cartoons placed behind me. I would then state that all entities must respect all religions and there is no room for hypocrisy. I would have demanded accountability from the Arab media for promoting bigotry especially if they wanted to hear condemnation of Denmark from the US. A stand must be taken, if not now when? Exactly when would you stand up for my rights?