Posted on 02/03/2006 1:31:35 PM PST by thierrya
US backs Muslims in cartoon dispute Fri Feb 3, 2006 3:28 PM ET
By Saul Hudson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States backed Muslims on Friday against European newspapers that printed caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad in a move that could help America's battered image in the Islamic world.
Inserting itself into a dispute that has become a lightning rod for anti-European sentiment across the Muslim world, the United States sided with Muslims 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."
American Muslims welcomed the U.S. position, although it stopped short of urging American media not to republish the cartoons that include depicting Mohammad as a terrorist.
Cooper said he had no comment as to why the United States chose to pass judgment in a dispute that ostensibly does not involve America.
But the United States, which was founded by immigrants fleeing religious persecution, has previously spoken out against publications offensive to believers of other faiths.
"Anti-Muslim images are as unacceptable as anti-Semitic images, as anti-Christian images or any other religious belief," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.
The United States, which before the September 11 attacks was criticized for insensitivity to the Islamic culture, has become more attuned to Muslim sensibilities.
Accusations last year that U.S. officials desecrated the Koran sparked deadly riots in Asia and heightened that awareness.
DIFFERENT RESPONSE IN U.S. AND EUROPE
Major U.S. publications have not republished the cartoons.
In contrast, some European media responded to the criticism against the Danish newspaper that originally printed the caricatures by reproducing the images and fueled anger that has led to boycotts of Danish products and widespread protests.
The U.S. response contrasted with European governments, which have tended to acknowledge the tension between free speech and respect for religion but have generally accepted the newspapers' rights to print the cartoons.
Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Council on American Islamic Relations, told Reuters he welcomed the U.S. position.
The State Department reaction "was a strong statement in support of Muslims around the world. It's a reflection of the concern felt by millions of Muslims and I think it will be appreciated," he said.
"It is support for an understanding that with freedom comes responsibility."
But Stephen Zunes, a professor of politics at the University of San Francisco and a Bush administration critic, said the United States was responsible for creating far more anger in the Muslim world because of its invasion of Iraq.
"The United States is the last nation that should caution against unnecessarily inflaming sentiments in the Muslim world," he said.
The U.S. criticism of the newspapers also comes after the Pentagon complained over a Washington Post cartoon.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff sent an unusual letter to the editor published on Thursday, denouncing as "reprehensible" and "beyond tasteless" a cartoon earlier in the week portraying Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as insensitive to U.S. troop casualties.
The cartoon portrayed a soldier who had lost his arms and legs with Rumsfeld at his hospital bedside saying, "I'm listing your condition as 'battle hardened.'"
(Additional reporting by Caroline Drees)
The State Department's Kurtis Cooper added that in regard to Christians, we don't give a rats ass what anybody says about Jesus Christ, adding that The Last Temptation of Christ was his favorite movie.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States backed Muslims on Friday against European newspapers that printed caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad in a move that could help America's battered image in the Islamic world.
thats it, I'm outa here
Here's the difference.
It is freedom of speech to say something shouldn't be published. The Post can then decide whether to apologize or not.
But the Muslims want the cartoonist prosecuted. And prefereably stoned to death as well.
Key difference.
Anti-Muslim images are as unacceptable as anti-Semitic images, as anti-Christian images or any other religious belief," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.What the hell? I can't turn on my television without a deluge of anti-Christian, anti-Jewish toxicity pouring out all over the carpet. It's bloody open season on Christians and Jews in this benighted damned country.
We had no problem demonizing the Germans and Japanese in our cartoons during WWII. And those people had honor - they met us on the battlefield.
Now, we're fighting these 8th century cowardly zealots, but we're afraid to offend them.
We know you killed 3000 of our people in one day, but PLEASE don't be mad at us!!!
Either you defend your rights or you lose them...
What idiots...
Precisely - you have an unlimited right to publish offensive speech, but no right to not be offended by published speech.
The State Department should be ashamed.
These hysterical 'slums never learned not to overly whine about anything; it just gives the antagonist even more resolve to piss em off further.
"Inserting itself into a dispute..."
---
Do we have a sign on our back that says 'Kick Me'?
This is like a guy getting in the middle of a girl fight.
Really, really stupid.
It is being reported on Drudge that a painting depicting Christ on the cross is an image of OBL ... where's the outrage???????????
State Department delays action against Saudi Arabia
By: BARRY SCHWEID - Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration has postponed punishing Saudi Arabia for restricting religious freedom, giving the U.S. ally six more months to show it has made progress in its treatment of religious minorities.
One year ago, the State Department declared that religious freedom was absent in the Arab kingdom. Under U.S. law, the Bush administration could have imposed sanctions such as trade restrictions -- as it has done with some other countries.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice notified Congress last week that she had authorized a 180-day waiver of action against Saudi Arabia "in order to allow additional time for the continuation of discussions leading to progress on important religious freedom issues."
"Inciting religious or ethnic hatreds in this manner is not acceptable."
'Unless its by the Muslim Press against Jews,' he said out of the other side of his mouth. Then we do nothing as much worse occurs on a daily basis for decades with state controlled press all over the Muslim world.
It's still the Clinton state department. I halfway expect Madeline Allbright to pop up and remind us of cultural sensitivities like the stupid byotch did after the Cole attack.
I can think of a few items.
Havarti cheese.
Carlsberg does own breweries in most European countries.
The latest on the Cartoon War ( plus tons about The Alleged Religion of Peace [ TARP ] ) is here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1052520/posts?page=479#479
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