Perhaps it's time to conclude that media who "doesn't want to offend muslims" but offends Christians and/or Jews instead be taken for what they are -- and this includes the New York Times -- and that's not on the side of Western civilization.
Perhaps the thing that has most disturbed me in this is the ambiguous statements coming from official US representatives, coupled with the cowardice of the US press.
I realize that we don't want to PO any Muslims who might be considered allies or at least not hostile, particularly in Iraq. However, our official statement should have supported freedom of the press first of all, and then freedom to the peaceful expression of feelings in response to what appeared in the press.
Instead the lead statement was a groveling to Islam, as though it was somehow to be considered special and above criticism and the Muslims had every right to be enraged. And then, oh yes, don't forget about freedom of the press - but with "responsibility," meaning specifically don't publish anything that might offend Muslims. Very disappointing.
Furthermore, I'd like to see more commentary in the US press, not only showing the cartoons, but explaining that they focus on the violence of Islam, something that Islam has abundantly expressed but which Muslims are allowed to skip over and ignore. In fact, violence is only thing it has expressed since its foundation, but particuarly in the last few years; I do not see any great Islamic hospitals, works of charity, monasteries dedicated to contemplative prayer, etc. When I think of Islam, the only thing that comes to mind are bombings, beheadings, and grunting savages jumping up and down in the streets.