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February 1, 2006Even France has more moxie than BillFrance has decided to join the Danes in standing up for free speech by printing the cartoons which have upset much of the Muslim world The coverage ran across pages four and five of this morning’s edition with an editorial that defended the freedom of the press. “The publication of 12 cartoons in the Danish press has shocked the Muslim world for whom the representation of Allah and his prophet is banned,” the newspaper said. “But because no religious dogma can impose its view on a democratic and secular society, France Soir publishes the incriminated cartoons.” Reliapundit points out that France now has more moxie than Bill Clinton, who excels at appeasement. He reminds us that, according to Louis Freeh, Clinton’s love-affair with Arabia while in office seemed connected to money. (Slightly o/t, he also says that Mubarek has more sense than Jimmy Carter.) Dr. Sanity notices that “France-is-braver-than-Bill” as well: As usual, Clinton misses the point. This controversy is not about anti-semitism vs. anti-Islamic prejudice. It so happens that I think being “prejudiced” against someone who is trying to kill, enslave and/or silence me is a sort of reasonable thing. Islam doesn’t much care about hurting other religion’s feelings, do they? Can you read a Bible in Saudi Arabia? My goodness, you face the sentence of death in Islam if you convert to another religion. But even with all that aside, making fun of Islam and their god is a…god-given right–even if it upsets a million little mullahs. No, the entire controversy is about freedom of speech–not about hurting Islam’s feelings. Quite frankly, appeasing the wrath of a consummate bully only encourages them in their bullying. NRO also noticed. Michelle Malkin, who has been on this story since way back in October ‘05, (and who I think was the first blog to actually post the cartoons) has the round-up, and it’s not of the usual suspects. Some interesting stuff in there - check it out! Gateway Pundit links to Middle Eastern Bloggers supporting the Danes. http://theanchoressonline.com/2006/02/01/even-france-has-more-moxie-than-bill/trackback/ 5 Responses to “Even France has more moxie than Bill” |
February 1st, 2006 at 3:17 pm
All Things Beautiful TrackBack ‘Take A Walk On The Wild Side’
February 1st, 2006 at 4:31 pm
There is no right to not be offended. I am under no obligation to respect another religion to its believers satisfaction particularly if I dont believe its a true religion. I have a right to believe that its not true. I have a right to say so and not have someone try to shame me or force me to respect it more than my own beliefs allow. I am not a muslim, most Westerners are not muslim and we are not obligated to follow the rules of their faith.
Does that mean that I will gratuitously offend the beliefs of others? No. I dont go around actively trying to hurt the feelings and sensibilities of other people. But when it comes to a choice between respecting my own beliefs and respecting the beliefs of others, I will choose my own beliefs because, well, I believe in them! I esteem them highly. I respect them too much to surrender them voluntarily so that no person of another faith ever feels slighted or disrespected. I refuse to sweep my traditions under the rug when push comes to shove.
The paper that originally published the cartoons and the others that reprinted them did so in that same spirit. They printed them not to intentionally offend Muslims but to assert their own identity and beliefs. They are heroes of free speech and someday we will understand just how much since this thing will likley get worse before it gets better.
Buy Danish, y’all and (I never thought I would say this in my lifetime) Vive La France! (and Germany, Spain, Italy etc etc….)
February 2nd, 2006 at 8:40 am
The Egyptian owner of France Soir fired the editor.
February 2nd, 2006 at 9:32 am
All Things Beautiful TrackBackReligious Dogma Has No Place In A Secular Society
February 2nd, 2006 at 11:52 am
“The Egyptian owner of France Soir fired the editor”
It makes me wonder. Dont you think the editor might have anticipated that just a little bit? Was he trying to be fired? Surely he must have known who owned the paper??
He may be brave but he sure isnt very smart!