[ConservativeMan55]

bttt!

Go Merkel!

[rbg81]

Are the Euros finally starting to grow a backbone? Its too much to even hope for.

[Dinah Lord]

It's about time a European leader stood up to these fascist thugs.

You notice no one has said a peep about the heads of Buddha or Jesus or Poseidon (although you'd think sting rays everywhere would be outraged)

[the invisib1e hand]

a Mozart opera that features the head of the prophet Mohammed rolling across the stage.

I'll bet it sends attendance records.

Here's a dichotomy: when you wish to immerse a Crucifix in a foul liquid and call it art, you can get state backing.

When you wish to merely dramatize the rolling of Muhammed's head, the state says, "no."

Go figure.

[NRA2BFree]

Germany's conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday led political and arts world uproar at the scrapping of a Mozart opera that features the head of the prophet Mohammed rolling across the stage.

The next riots will be in Germany! Can you imagine all the wild eye'd Muslims around the world burning our flag again? LOL!

[Poundstone]

This woman has balls.

Merkel for President!

[Savage Beast]

Is it true that Angela also called for a cartoon contest?

[Celtjew Libertarian]

What's needed is a worldwide movement to portray Mohammad in ways that don't meet Koranic approval. That way, Islamofascists couldn't just go after one portrayal without a dozen others popping up.

They don't even have to be negative portrayals -- in fact, there should be neutral and positive portrayals, as well, because the point of this would not be anti-Muslim, except in that one aspect, but pro-freedom.

[Sender]

Insult those who behead Islam!

[Dark Skies]

Merkel and her team are strong. They are sending the right message.

Let islam riot when threatened by modernity...the world will still march on. Mohammed will be discovered for the fiend he is.

Islam will die because it is well-built on bullying and cowardice.

Our President is a follower now...Merkel and Howard and BenedictXVI are stealing W's legacy.

Religion of Peace indeed!

[AnAmericanMother]

Ordinarily, I can't stand these trendy, edgy restagings of classic operas.

Like Mozart needs a poser like Neuenfels to "dress up" his splendid music with extraneous political nonsense. Shut up and sing!

. . . but under these circumstances, I'll back Neuenfels all the way.

If you back down from these Muslim pigs, they just get bolder. Like all cowardly bullies.

[mdittmar]

In the epilogue, Idomeneo, the king of Crete, comes on stage with a bloody sack in his hand. He then pulls the heads of Poseidon, Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed out of the sack and places them triumphantly on four chairs.

Not an Opera I'd waste my money on,but at least she has the balls to say "self-censorship out of fear" is unacceptable.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Europeans getting a taste of what lies in store for them.

Banning Mozart is just the begining for their Dhimmihood.

[SunkenCiv]

Hey, I'd spring for a trip to see this if I thought it was the real head...

[Prime Choice]

Finally! A European leader with a pair of stones!

...and wouldn't ya know, it's a woman.

Good show, Mrs. Merkel!

[gotribe]

Mohammed's head. Good Halloween decoration for the porch.

[YdontUleaveLibs]

It is like a reverse ban. Merkle is encouraging them to put on the play when they are willing to scrap it. Self censorship is a horrible thing. Been there done that, but no more.

[JennysCool]

Not in this instance, perhaps, but I'm noticing a subtle shift that I think began with the kerfuffle over the Mohammed cartoons. Ridicule and satire are, I think, beginning to take at least a small toll on Islam's puffed-up view of itself. The more controversies like this, the better. Humor's value in skewering even murderous pomposity cannot be overlooked.

[BunnySlippers]

But Mrs Merkel denounced "self-censorship out of fear" as unacceptable

Which was exactly the exercise in the Mohammed cartoons.

Again, I say let's ridicule them to death!

[OldFriend]

No wonder Merckel and our beloved President are allies.