Posted on 02/03/2006 9:04:55 AM PST by thesharkboy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Washington on Friday condemned caricatures in European newspapers of Islam's Prophet Mohammad, siding with Muslims who are outraged that the publications put press freedom over respect for religion.
"These cartoons are indeed offensive to the belief of Muslims," State Department spokesman Kurtis Cooper said in answer to a question.
"We all fully recognize and respect freedom of the press and expression but it must be coupled with press responsibility. Inciting religious or ethnic hatreds in this manner is not acceptable."
The best thing Foggy Bottom could've said was .....nothing. Frankly, none of it is any of their business.
Pick our battles? What happened to the Bush fans here who constantly praise his principle and willingness to stand by his beliefs, come hell or highwater.The point is, Austin, that Bush gets to stick to his principles, not yours.
His principle is: the war in Iraq is bringing Democracy to a region that desperately needs it and is keeping the terrorists at bay overseas so we dont' have to fight them here at home.
Your principle (seems to be): march to the drum of whatever Danish newspaper happens to be grabbing the headlines these days and go out and fight their battles.
Fine. You have your principles, he has his.
But please, Austin, just because Bush isn't embracing your principles, don't accuse him of failing his own.
Your principles are your principles. Go get yourself elected president and then tell the State Department what to do!
Shameful... where was the State Department when the Da Vinci Code came out?
However there's a good chance that it's a fake issue.
No one can find me a quote from the Koran saying particularly no pictures of Mohammed, although there are strictures against pictures in general.
It isn't the first time State has decided to conduct foreign policy on its own. Won't be the last, either. Whoever authorized this public statement needs a little talking-to, and no, it wasn't Condi.
Damn the state department. The Danes have been good allies, and the state department wimps out.
Ping! Standard M.O. for the State Dept.
As someone who has often praised Condi, I am beginning to think she is overrated highly. I've spoke with some folks who knew here at Stanford who say that she was a typical administrator who liked to play it safe.Sorry you see it that way. I still think very highly of her and look forward to assisting the Republicans to victory in '08, probably by going around the country supporting an Allen ticket.
Y'all are approaching Islamic levels in your overreaction to this simple statement.
I agree. We had high hopes when she came in, that the SD would be different. But, alas..SSDD.
That's my point. Just because someone has the right to do a "Piss Christ" doesn't mean they have to do it. Some more civility and decency wouldn't hurt our society.
Court clears school of pushing religion with lesson on Islam
Teaching islam in my local school
History class riles parents. Principal of Byron school says Islam is being studied, not promoted
Students attend conference on Islam (All-day CAIR event at a Texas Catholic high school)
School denies trying to convert student to Islam (Houston, Texas)
The honor of everlasting companionship with Amb. Joseph C. Wilson IV (ret.) and his ilk.
Perhaps Joe could cut you in on a mining concession in Niger. Or a mint tea plantation in Myanmar...
Think not of what your country can do for you. Think instead of what you can do for yourself...
Boo! Those guys suck. ><
We'll see. If she sacks this spokesman or disciplines him, I'll be the first to give her kudos.
Wonder how many droolers will come to this thread to say "Condi 08!"
The outrageous thing is the Islamic reaction to this. It simply affirms everything the cartoonists were trying to say. If the state department statement had also condemned the Muslim reaction, then it might have been okay.
But what the Muslims are trying to do is to force everyone to abide by Shariah standards, whether they believe in them or not. It must be made clear to the Muslims that we will not bow to them in that regard.
I don't want our own state dept., from Condeleeza Rice on down, perpetuating the lies about Islam being a religion of peace, and that we have to handle the "holy" Koran with white gloves on, etc. while the practitioners of that "peaceful" religion behead people, are suicide bombers, and call Jews pigs. It's past time for our government to face up to the threat posed by a large proponent of this religion and end the inane public pronouncements that we all know to be lies.
This is not surprising that our government would side with the wrong people on this, just as they sided with the KLA against the Serbs.
DISGUSTING.
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.