Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Free Speech, Then And Now
Brussels Journal ^ | Sep. 11, 2010 | Diana West

Posted on 09/14/2010 1:31:28 PM PDT by fightinJAG

Back in 2005, Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen set the gold standard on defending free speech when, on being approached by perpetually aggrieved Islamic ambassadors hoping for official redress against Jyllands Posten (Cartoon Rage was just kicking in), he refused to hear their plaints, explaining to them and the world that it was not his place, as prime minister, to interfere with free speech in Denmark.

“This is a matter of principle. I will not meet with them [the ambassadors] because it is so crystal clear what principles Danish democracy is built upon that there is no reason to do so...As prime minister, I have no power whatsoever to limit the press – nor do I want such power.”

In other words, as Al Jazeera noted in reporting subsequent Islamic opposition to Rasmussen's eventual nomination to head NATO, the Danish leader had "infuriated some Muslims by speaking out in favour of freedom of speech."

Apparently, he won't make that mistake again. Now NATO honcho, Rasmussen has condemned the proposed burning of Korans at a Florida church as "disrespectful," saying this week at the White House: "I think such actions are in a strong contradiction with all of the values we stand for and fight for. Of course, there is a risk it may also have a negative impact on the security for our troops."

Isn't that exactly what was said about publishing the Danish cartoons?

(Excerpt) Read more at brusselsjournal.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 09/14/2010 1:31:30 PM PDT by fightinJAG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: fightinJAG
Now NATO honcho, Rasmussen has condemned the proposed burning of Korans at a Florida church

Funny how europeans never have any problem butting into our affairs and telling us what we should be doing.

2 posted on 09/14/2010 1:36:08 PM PDT by The Sons of Liberty (Psalm 109:8 Let his days be few and let another take his office. - Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Sons of Liberty

Heck, Supreme Court Justice Breyer came out today and said that he thought that burning the Koran could be legally prohibited. It’s not just Europeans.


3 posted on 09/14/2010 1:45:05 PM PDT by livius
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: The Sons of Liberty
The Danes, like so many other Europeans, were heavily involved in the slave trade and they're still upset that we banned it (and later on banned slavery itself).

They are incorrigible ~ a people unable to learn manners appropriate to their station in life.

4 posted on 09/14/2010 1:46:01 PM PDT by muawiyah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: livius

It proves to me that just because you get on the SCOTUS, it doesn’t mean you’re a legal genius. Breyer is showing that he is a mental midget.


5 posted on 09/15/2010 5:23:03 AM PDT by The Sons of Liberty (Psalm 109:8 Let his days be few and let another take his office. - Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson