Posted on 02/04/2006 8:03:41 PM PST by xjcsa
TWELVE Danish cartoonists whose pictures sparked such outcry have gone into hiding under round-the-clock protection, fearing for their lives.
The cartoonists, many of whom had reservations about the pictures, have been shocked by how the affair has escalated into a global “clash of civilisations”. They have since tried, unsuccessfully, to stop them being reprinted.
A spokesman for the cartoonists said: “They are in hiding around Denmark. Some of them are really, really scared. They don’t want to see the pictures reprinted all over the world. We couldn’t stop it. We tried, but we couldn’t.”
Mogens Blicher Bjerregaard, president of the Danish Union of Journalists, told The Times: “They are keeping a very low profile. They are very concerned about their safety. They feel a big responsibility on their shoulders. It’s blown up so big. It is tough for them.”
The cartoonists’ names were originally printed in the Danish paper Jyllands-Posten. Flemming Rose, the paper’s cultural editor, invited 25 newspaper cartoonists to draw a picture of Muhammad “how they saw him”, after a children’s author complained that cartoonists would only dare illustrate a book he was writing on the life of Muhammad if they could be anonymous. Twelve cartoonists responded, had their pictures printed in September, and were paid 800 Danish krone (£73) each.
In an interview with a Swedish newspaper this week, some of the cartoonists expressed their doubts about the entire episode. “It felt a little like a lose-lose situation. If I said no, I was a coward who contributes to self-censorship. If I said yes, I became an irresponsible hate monger against Islam,” one of the cartoonists said.
Another said: “I was actually angry when I first received the letter [from Jyllands-Posten]. I thought it was a really bad idea. At first I didn’t want to participate, but then I talked it over with some friends from the Middle East, and they thought I should do it.”
The cartoonists come from a variety of different political backgrounds, which is reflected in their work. While some of the pictures satirise Muhammad, others attack populist right-wing politicians and even Jyllands-Posten itself, which is rightwing.
Having failed to stop the cartoons being reprinted across Europe, the cartoonists have now decided to use all the money raised from the sales of the pictures to set up a foundation which will award an annual international prize for press freedom.
They did it. It is over with. They need to step up and be men even if they are frightened. Enough of the tail between the legs stuff.
I hope Scott Adams isn't Danish.
"Some Muslims try to impose their religious taboos in the public domain," said Mr. Rose. "In my book, that's not asking for my respect, it's asking for my submission."
The Danish press has more guts than the American press.
Individuals are not typically equiped to fight one-man wars. The law will punish you faster than the actual terrorist who is out to kill you.
now why would these cartoonists feel they have to go into hiding? from what? from whom? we all know that Islam is loving, peaceful... just ask the Dutch film maker who...oh, that's right, you can't. He was knifed to death...
You got that right!
this is the whole ball of wax - and not just with this one incident. This is what they plan - submission - of all of us, to Islam.
Submission, in all things, is the prime tenant of Islam. Muslims are instructed on every action in their lives - they have learned submission from the cradle. Obey or die.
They plan to rule the world -= and they have patiently infiltrated (some call it immigrated) every country. Those who are peaceful, when it comes to marching orders from their imams - well, you can see what they will do - look at the newsreels.
Ah, the peaceful religion of Islam.
"clash of civilizations"???
They don't have a civilization
Yeah, right. Ever had a COUNTRY out for your neck? Ask Salmon Rushdie. We just need to do the Ann Coulter thing. Bomb 'em, invade 'em, convert 'em to Christianity.
I would suggest carrying a personal firearm and knowing how to use it; but are handguns illegal in Denmark?
Come on, where is Ted Rall? Come on, Ted. Get drawing. We'll make sure they see your work.
It just shows you he real truth about islam
I can't believe these barbarians are all worked up over a cartoon of Mohammad.
I'm sure he'd liked to but he'd need an extra 'pair' to do that sort of thing, since his are reserved for his boy-toy.
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