Cartoon controversy hits U. of I. (University of Illinois)

Chicago Tribune ^ | February 10, 2006 | Jodi S. Cohen

[Founding Father]

The University of Illinois student newspaper Thursday published six caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad that have sparked violent protests in the Middle East and Asia.

Nearly every major U.S. newspaper, including the Chicago Tribune, has not published the cartoons. They were first published in late September by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, and they were reprinted in other European publications in recent weeks.

While UN Secretary General Kofi Annan chastised newspapers Thursday that continue to publish the cartoons, Daily Illini editor-in-chief Acton Gorton said he decided to print them so students could better understand the Muslim response.

"All across this nation, editors are gripped in fear of printing ... for fear of the reaction. As a journalist, this flies in the face of everything I hold dear. By refusing to print these editorial cartoons, we are preventing an important issue from being debated by the public," Gorton wrote in a column next to the drawings.

[Founding Father]

More controversy surrounding the prophet Muhammad (pbuh--pork be upon him).

[one more state]

U of I teaching real journalism.

[one more state]

The liberals' lies are out in the open now. They don't actually believe in free speech.

[Steely Tom]

Nearly every major U.S. newspaper, including the Chicago Tribune, has not published the cartoons.

When asked if this was indicative of a "chilling effect" resulting from the propensity of muslims to kill people they don't like, the editors of these papers had no comment.

[dinoparty]

Chancellor Herman should be ashamed of himself. The editors make the brave decision to print the cartoons, and he won't back them. What a wuss.
I'm surprised...as a U of I alum, I never knew the Daily Illini to have real journalists.

[Steely Tom]

Nearly every major U.S. newspaper, including the Chicago Tribune, has not published the cartoons.

When asked to square the decision not to publish the cartoons with their earlier decision to run the Abu Gharab pictures day after day, which were also insulting to muslims, but which only put the lives of US soldiers at risk, the editors of these papers had no comment.

[AmericanMade1776]

My definition of a free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular. ~Adlai Stevenson, speech, Detroit, 1952

[schwing_wifey]

Whoa... A University Newspaper is publishing the cartoons? Where did they find the "little round dangling things" to do it? This can't be a liberal university...can it????

[BeAllYouCanBe]

The Tribune has chosen not to publish the cartoons because editors decided the images inaccurately depicted Islam as a violent religion, and that it was not necessary to print the cartoons in order to explain them to readers.

The images inaccurately depict Islam. Talk about double-speak and political correctness in the Brave New World.

War is peace and terror is love.

[dinoparty]

Incidentally, I predict it will be Chancellor Richard Herman who will buckle to pressure to get rid of the "Chief" mascot, buckling under the worst kinds of PC pressure. This article really lowers my esteem for him, and I don't believe he will have the fortitude to withstand the Chief stuff.

[Ditter]

There is muslim school in Houston and yesterday when I drove past all the muslims I saw there and all who were walking in the area (probably 15 adults) were wearing black. Some were in traditional garb, all black, and the young men were wearing new black t-shirts. One of the t-shirts had something written on the front, something about Saddam. Is it a muslim holiday or is this solidarity for something?

[one more state]

Soon the MSM will stop reporting on terrorist attacks. Terrorist attacks are offensive to Muslims.

[DOGEY]

Frankly I think it has more to do with fear. They know Christians will do nothing when their religious symbols are desecrated; so segments of the press, art community and liberals generally freely desecrate them. But when a fat-ma may be issued for your liberal ass,well, it's a little different.

[one more state]

I bought Illini shirts for my kids this Christmas and could only get Chief Illiniwek on-line. I was wonder if the PC Nazis are stopping fans from wearing Chief shirts at the Assembly Hall?

[sarasota]

Herman doesn't want to soil himself by backing the cartoons. Wuss indeed.

[dinoparty]

Probably. I'll tell you what, though...if the Chief is officially removed as mascot, then I bet the Assembly Hall will be FILLED with Chief shirts for years to come.

[one more state]

I don't think it could possibly be fear, MSM reporters don't actually go into the field to report. Their Iraq reports make this all too obvious.

[SJackson]

Is it a muslim holiday or is this solidarity for something?

Ashoura

If you have a strong stomach, A Religion of Peace Celebration (Ashura)

[VOA]

When asked if this was indicative of a "chilling effect" resulting from
the propensity of muslims to kill people they don't like, the editors of
these papers had no comment.

But the editors/publishers will admit it amongst themselves.
That is what the fellow running "Editor and Publisher" (I think that's the title)
said on FOX News Channel.

I was suprised to hear this admission, because a number of people
resigned from that publication when the cartoons were pulled at
the last minute.
One of the resignees was Tim Marshman (sp?)...there was a thread
about this a few days ago.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel.

..................