I'm quite troubled over the cartoon controversy in Denmark, not because of the cartoons themselves, which I agree are offensive, but rather, because of the absurd overreaction of Muslims worldwide. We haven't learned from the Rushdie affair - this is yet another instance where we've gone out of our way to make ourselves look stupid.

For anyone living under a rock, here's what happened. Four months ago, on September 30th, 2005, a Danish newspaper called Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten published 12 cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad in ways that many Muslims deemed sacrilegious. The newspaper claimed - quite foolishly, I think - that the cartoons were "part of an ongoing public debate on freedom of expression" in Denmark. There were a few protests by Muslims and meetings with the Prime Minister of Denmark, but things came to a head on January 10th, 2006, when two Norwegian papers published similar cartoons that were then circulated in the Middle East. Since then, the response has been stupendous:

There were street demonstrations and flag-burnings in the Middle East. Libya joined Saudi Arabia in withdrawing its ambassador from Copenhagen. Islamic governments and organisations, including the Muslim Council of Britain, issued denunciations and a boycott of Danish goods took hold across the Muslim world.

The Danish Government warned its citizens about travelling to Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Syria, and withdrew aid workers from the Gaza Strip.

Last night EU foreign ministers issued a statement in support of Denmark, and the European Commission threatened to report any government backing the boycott to the World Trade Organisation.

By yesterday governments across the Arab world were responding to public outrage. Libya closed its embassy in Denmark and the Egyptian parliament demanded that its Government follow suit. The Kuwaiti and Jordanian governments called for explanations from their Danish ambassadors. President Lahoud of Lebanon condemned the cartoons, saying his country "cannot accept any insult to any religion". The Justice Minister of the United Arab Emirates said: "This is cultural terrorism, not freedom of expression." In Gaza, gunmen briefly occupied the EU office in Gaza and warned Danes and Norwegians to stay away. Palestinians in the West Bank burnt Danish flags. The Islamic groups Hamas and Hezbollah and the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood demanded an apology.

Supermarkets in Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen all removed Danish produce from their shelves. Arla Foods, a Danish company with annual sales of about $430 million in the Middle East, said that the boycott was almost total and suspended production in Saudi Arabia.

Those up in arms don't seem to understand that the newspaper is not government owned or produced. It is an independent newspaper, and as such the guarantee of freedom of expression allows it to do what it did. It may be in bad taste and it may be insensitive, but the newspaper has a point: freedom of expression allows individuals to express themselves in ways that may upset or offend others. Yes, that freedom is to be balanced with freedom of religion, but even so, adherents of any faith cannot expect that they will never be offended. That is the price we pay for the freedoms we enjoy. Some may claim this is a good time to bring out those old blasphemy laws, but I disagree. In fact, I would argue there are no justifiable grounds for blasphemy laws in liberal democracies.

In any case, why these Arab countries would see fit to demand that Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen apologize is beyond me. If one wanted to protest the publication of those cartoons, one could always cancel one's subscription to the newspaper. But to boycott products from the country? Burn Danish flags? Remove ambassadors to express one's displeasure? Those sorts of responses are just nonsensical. The government is not to be blamed for the idiocy of a private newspaper.

Why are we so exciteable anyway? Why even care what a newspaper thinks? The cartoons, horrendous though they may be, need not affect a Muslim's impression of the Prophet, for our tradition clearly shows him to be a man imbued with dignity, morality and goodness. The Prophet was ridiculed from the moment he started receiving revelation in Mecca more than 1400 years ago. The mockery - even the threats on his life - are well documented in the Quran and hadith literature. A few cartoons will do little to harm him - or us.

Some might argue that Islam bars any depiction of the Prophet. Even so, we Muslims cannot force other people to appreciate the Prophet the way we do. We live, for the most part, in free societies, and there are countless opportunities to share with others our own vision of the Prophet and to convince others that he is a man to be honoured and dignified. We can do so by living like the Prophet did, by behaving and speaking in the noble manner of the Prophet himself, and by showing ourselves to be the rightful followers of this blessed man.

The over-the-top reaction just shows me how much excess energy and strength the ummah retains worldwide. Frankly I wonder if Muslims are not doing a greater disservice to the Prophet when we close our eyes to the suffering and oppression in the rest of the world. There are bigger problems to tackle than the publication of 12 silly cartoons. Now, if we could only put our efforts to better purposes...

>>>Are you saying that Danish law should be changed to prohibit the illustrations? Or are you saying that it makes sense for a third party to apologize for the actions of another party?
<<

No, but at the very least, if you are going to piss someone off, be ready for them to leave your little party......which is what happened with the boycott.

let me get this straight: the idiot danish have the RIGHT to publish offensive pictures, but the muslims do NOT even have the right to proclaim their displeasure?
wow, free and balanced indeed.

I wonder where our favorite house negro Omarg is? not hiding somewhere, afraid of criticizing muslim nations i hope.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

DrM!

How does it feel DrM to be part of the problem and not part of the solution? How does it feel to make up problems to suit yourself. You haven't the slightest idea about what you are talking about.

You sound like those poor oppressed souls in Iran ready to disprove the Holocaust.

Did the Mosad cause 9/11?

Is America secretly taking oil out of Iraq?

Is the aluminum foil placed firmly on your head to keep out the government?

Are those Black Helicopters outside to get you?

Nice try. You should let the adults talk for a while. We will let you know when it is time for conspiracy theorists and alarmists.

>>How does it feel DrM to be part of the problem and not part of the solution? How does it feel to make up problems to suit yourself. You haven't the slightest idea about what you are talking about.<<

I wouldnt know, I'm not publishing pictures of religious figures with bombs strapped on their person am I? Would you defend pictures of a menorrah with dynamite sticks instead of candles ? Ofcourse not! I know exactly what I'm talking about, hypocrite.

<<You sound like those poor oppressed souls in Iran ready to disprove the Holocaust.Did the Mosad cause 9/11?<<
Is America secretly taking oil out of Iraq?
Is the aluminum foil placed firmly on your head to keep out the government?
Are those Black Helicopters outside to get you?

Sounds to me like you're the one suffering from Schizophrenia. Go pull this strawman act on someone. Ofcourse America is in Iraq for the Kurds, Shias, and spreading apple pie democrazy in the region. Only a nut would think otherwise. That being said, stay on topic.

>>Nice try. You should let the adults talk for a while. We will let you know when it is time for conspiracy theorists and alarmists.<<

What conspiracy theory are you talking about? You're a pathetic Islamophobe without a single solid argument. Go take your mediction before you hurt yourself. We're not buying Danish products, so go cry us a river ZioNAZI.

>>I wonder where our favorite house negro Omarg is? not hiding somewhere, afraid of criticizing muslim nations i hope.<<

LOL

What Danish products are sold in the USA?

>>What Danish products are sold in the USA?<<

Industrial machinery, chemical products, furniture, pharmaceuticals, canned ham and pork, windmills, and plastic toy blocks (Lego). I'll see what I can do about getting more detailed list later on. Either the boycott is working and thats a good thing, and hopefully they'll keep it up.
The level of xenophobia amongst Europeans is disgusting and intolerable. The Czechs just got into a controversy over racist comments about the Roma.

>>favorite house negro Omarg is?

I often marvel how someone who isn't even black earned the right to use such a phrase! Lol, you're too much, man.

DrM: "Would you defend pictures of a menorrah with dynamite sticks instead of candles ?"

In the same context? The answer is yes. To the grave I would defend it. To the grave. You don't turn off the freedoms and libertys of your nation just to suit super sensitive feelings of other nations. Nations that have no right to cast stones from the very fragile glass houses they live in.

You can convienently point the finger at the US. Put all your problems on our back. That is fine. We can handle it.

By the way, who ever called Omar the house negro can rot in hell. That is flattly racist and inappropriate no matter how much you may be at odds with his views. And those that posted a "lol" are no better. How does proving you are a racist better your arguements in this thread?

I've just about had enough America bashing. On top of that, the historically incorrect depictions of the US and its suggested copability in the Middle East is an old and errored argument.

I think a few people need to learn a little humility.

When Honor Killings are met with real challenges from Islamic nations you can counsel me on Human Rights.

When Suicide bombers stop targeting other muslims you can cousel me on brotherhood.

When literacy rates IN EVERY SINGLE Islamic country are the same between boys and girls you can counsel me on Equality.

When a secularist can look at a Cleric and tell him that he is wrong and that there is NO GOD. And this secularist does not have to fear for his life no matter how wrong we think he is, then you can council me on tolerence.

When Arab news chanels stop delivering the messages of terrorists and advertising their Beheadings and Kidnappings then you can counsel me on responsibility.

When a woman in an Islamic state can chose to come and go without male permison and wear whatever cloths she deems appropriate then you can counsil me on liberty.

When women reporters don't die in the hands of Islamic states and summary executions of Gays and Young girls stop you can counsel me on Abu Grab.


When the epidimic of Self Immolation of women in Afghanistan, Honor Killings and Female literacy is treated with the attention it deserves you can counsel me on Media Bias and Islamophobia.

When all of these things happen you can have the floor. But until then, sit down, shut up and take notes.

America bashing? Not agreeing with you is not America bashing, so grow up or get lost. Dont even try to start a disucssion on US foreign policy because I will beat you like a drum at Mardi Gras on the issues, so stay on topic. You really are an idiot arent you?
Ofcourse you couldnt help but expose yourself for the pathetic Islamphobe you are going off tangent with your O'Reilly talking points. We're talking Denmark here, I bet you cant even find that country on the world map, let alone Mississipi river. Now that we've got that out of the way, I would advise that you avoid foaming at the mouth and telling people "to rot in hell," you might burst a major vessel and go there first(hopefully). The bottom line we will boycott Danish products and dont believe this sort of hate speech would be practised against another religous group in such a vicious manner. If you dont like that, thats too bad because I frankly do not care. Simple as that.

>>When all of these things happen you can have the floor. But until then, sit down, shut up and take notes.<<

Oh I have no intenion of sitting down or shutting up when my faith is demonized and attacked to this point, especially not for an trailer park imbecile like you. Go pull this cowboy routine on someone who may find it remotely entertaining. If not, sit down and shup up and watch the State of Union in slow motion.

My statements could not have been more on point.

Your refusal to address even one of them demostrates the continued struggle in Islam. Arrogance topped with dogma, with a side of hippocracy. And an ice cold glass of ignorance to wash it down.

(PS...I have been studying Islamic Politics for years...along with Islamic/Arab history and Arabic language...so when ever you want to go...I am here.)

It amazes me that so many people in the world don't understand the basic premise of freedom of expression/speech. Let me paraphrase it for you:

You should be allowed to say anything about anything.

Now some countries have limited it with some laws to protect public safety. In the US you can't yell fire in a movie theater or reveal state secrets or telling lie with the intent of ruining some person or company's reputation. Some countries have gone further and deem that the vague concept of "hate speech" should be banned(France is one of them).

The bottom line is that as long as someone says(or prints) something that doesn't violate the laws of its own country, it would be INAPPROPRIATE for the government to say ANYTHING about it.

But now when you say(or print) something stupid like insulting caricatures of a major religion's spiritual leader, there WILL be consequences. Like a boycott.

Of course, I don't understand why Muslims should boycott Legos. Shouldn't they be pulling their advertising money from Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten or stop buying the newspaper?

Also, why should ALL Danes be careful of traveling in Muslim countries because one newspaper posted these offensive cartoons? Should ALL Muslims be careful of traveling in the US because a few EXTREMISTS are suicide bombers?

No and No.

Fallen, in this country (US that is) it is not unheard of for the Government (even the President himself) to say something that has been printed in a newspaper. "Saying something" is not an attack against freedom of the press. You're overstating, if not plainly wrong, about the inappropriateness of governments saying stuff about what's printed or broadcast in an open press. It happens quite a bit, actually. What's inappropriate is for the government untowardly trying to influence what a press prints and broadcasts. But to "say anything" has never been a problem historically in free societies.

Hey, all, we can expect the hate-crowd to get even more aggressive; they're working out thier frustration at having to ween themselves from playing with Legos anymore (I hear that certain people can play only with the real big blocks... the small ones in complex kits are beyond thier abilities).

Yeah...you've got me on that.

Svanho:

"Just so I don't misunderstand where you're coming from, just how was the Danish government supposed to react? I mean, beyond their saying, "We regret that you were offended, but the Danish goverment is not the same as the Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten." I'm trying to think of something that would make sense for the Danish government to say, but the paper didn't violate Danish law, and no goverment printing press was used to print the cariacatures."

I'm surprised you are having trouble with what the Danish government's reaction should have been. It should have been a condemnation, repudiation, and outright disassociation. If the New York Times printed a cartoon lambasting gays and lesbians or people of a particular ethnic origin - do you think the White House would keep or should keep silent? No, the White House would rush to condemn and distance itself from that and add regret that the offending cartoon was published.

"Are you saying that Danish law should be changed to prohibit the illustrations? Or are you saying that it makes sense for a third party to apologize for the actions of another party?"

I think it should be changed but that's for the Danes to work out. 50 years ago offensive cartoons (speech) about Blacks, Homosexuals, people of certain ethnic origins was allowed to be published but now we have limits on that type of hate speech. I would hope the Danes would understand that religion and religious sensitivities should be accorded the same treatment.

I don't think the Danish government should apologize for something it didn't do - but it should express the sentiments I noted above. In addition, it should express regret that the newspaper published those photos. That would have been enough for me.

Ben, WHAT is your point? If you like what the Danish newspaper did, then you are no friend of Islam. Period. If you don't, you have shown yourself capable of understanding other people's feelings(it's called sensitivity and respect). American bashing, equality, hypocrisy you keep talking about have nothing to do with this topic. Stay on point. If you want to rant - set up a website or blog.

>>My statements could not have been more on point.<<

The point that you dont have a clue what you're talking about. Cretin.

>>Your refusal to address even one of them demostrates the continued struggle in Islam. Arrogance topped with dogma, with a side of hippocracy. And an ice cold glass of ignorance to wash it down.<<

Thats exactly how I would describe your nonsensical rants. Save the over the top diatribes which have nothing to do with the subject of Denmark for someone who is as scatter minded as you are. Its spelled "hypocrisy" BTW. A peeny for your thoughts or is the price too high?

>>(PS...I have been studying Islamic Politics for years...along with slamic/Arab history and Arabic language...<<

Somebody hand this resident scholar of Islamic politics and the Arabic language the FOX news award for sub-standard vitriol : the brass donkey award. All this, and you cant figure out why Muslims could possibly be upset at this level of hatred directed against them.

>>so when ever you want to go...I am here.)<<

Oh I'm game buddy. Do "bring in on" as our fearless chimp-in-chief would say. I've dealt with your type before, and frankly its the same level of stupidity to be expected from the morons who cant even locate the mississippi river on the map. Get this through that thick nascar loving skull of yours, you dont have absolute freedumb of speech. I will not repeat myself on these over and over again.
If you go out of your to insult, defame, and attack my religion, then you sure as hell better believe that I'll take my business elsewhere. I dont have to make nice with a bunch of racist European bastards and their idiot supporters. The boycott goes on, and if you dont like that...go choke on a stick of Danish butter.

Ahhhh . . . the lovely art of debate. Dr.M, I'm not reading 30 comments, so please tell me who you're pissed at. I want to read what s/he said.

>>If you go out of your to insult, defame, and attack my religion, then you sure as hell better believe that I'll take my business elsewhere. I dont have to make nice with a bunch of racist European bastards and their idiot supporters. The boycott goes on, and if you dont like that...go choke on a stick of Danish butter.<<

So I guess you will cancel your subscription to Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten, but why punish the Danish buttermakers? Should they be required to denouce the statements of anyone that offends anyone else to keep your business?