We were cleaning the office the other day and, to our horror, realized we can't find our list of those things that offend Muslims. If anyone out there has an updated list, please send it here, because we're having trouble keeping up.
We remember Salman Rushdie, of course. And the editorial cartoons depicting Muhammad. Oh, and you can't name your teddy bear that without getting a fatwa.
Then there's Theo Van Gogh, the Dutch filmmaker who was murdered for making a movie exploring the treatment of Muslim women in some countries.
And recently a journalist in Afghanistan was sentenced to death for downloading an Internet article that "commented on verses in the Quran that were about women," according to one news source.
More recently, the Times of London reported that a children's book based on The Three Little Pigs would be disqualified for an award because the subject matter might offend Muslims.
Wait. There's something even more recent. Another Dutch filmmaker, Geert Wilders, is causing a panic in the Dutch government with a short film that attacks Islam's "religion of peace" brand.
Ironically, as the film's release was reportedly delayed by the government for security concerns, Muslim leaders in the Netherlands were appealing for calm.
At the same time, they want offended Muslims "to file a legal complaint for discrimination and incitement to hatred."
You might understand, after all this, why someone from the land of free speech would be a bit confused as to what's acceptable -- and what might get one's house blown down.
Comments
As our country rushes head long down the path toward socialism, we'll soon encounter these same problems. Our "politicians for change" will act like European politicians and run and hide, in the name of peace. We should keep our eyes on the Dutch so we'll know how to act.
The biggest offenses to Muslims of all stripes throughout the world are the occupation of Afghanistan & Iraq & unlimited U.S. military support for Israel no matter what actions Israel takes. The U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in Nov 2001 that overthrew the Taliban govt which had hosted Al Qaeda was justified, but a 6 year 2 month-long U.S. occupation of Afghanistan without improving the lot of ordinary Afghans is deeply resented. The Taliban is now resurgent AND the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks still have not been captured. The U.S. invasion of Iraq was totally unjustified & has served as the biggest recruiting tool for Muslims angry at America. David Satterfield, Bush's coordinator for Iraq, falsely claims that Iraq has become "the good war" (because he thinks the surge is working) while Afghanistan has become "the bad war" because violence is increasing, NATO is divided & the Taliban are back. In fact, neither the Iraq nor Afghanistan war are going well for United States. Bush's endless wars have destabilized the entire region particularly Pakistan & weakened U.S. power in the world according to Parag Khanna of the New America Foundation. China's influence in Asia is growing.
The most amazing thing to me is that so many Americans want to be under the control of our government. They will follow along blindly, happy that someone is telling them how to live.
o Cain..Interesting remarks about the war. When were you there? Gen Petraeus and the media covering the situation gives a very different viewpoint. Even the very liberal NY Times says things are going very well. Tell us more about your trip and what you saw. BTW..CNN News this morning reported that Musharraf again denied US troops permission to enter Pakistan in search of Bin Laden. What would you suggest? Leave bin laden alone? Go in anyway?
could the very liberal nyt be singing a different tune because hillary voted for the war and she is running for pres? did they not just endorse her? cain is correct. when were u there dani?
La twon Never been./ I only know what I hear, and when I hear the same thing from different wings of the political spectrum then I stop and try to assimilate the information. CNN reported the story about Pakistan this morning. It might not be true.
Why is it that none of you are discussing the subject of the editorial. The muslims are insensitive to ANY perceived insults, and many are willing to kill people because of cartoons or other equally ridiculous reasons. Every religion in the world is criticized and insulted at one time or another, but only these people - muslims - react like a pack of crazed dogs. If they want the world to believe that Islam is a real "religion of peace," then they should begin acting like that's the case. How likely is that to happen? Not very.
Former Augustan makes two valid points.
One - that Muslims seem to be offended by any slight and a certain percentage will act violently and drag out the tired "DEATH TO ISREAL" "DEATH TO AMERICA" mantra. And the countires were these demonstrations occur are only too happy to let these demonstrations happen because it takes the spotlight off their government and social/econimic conditions.
Two - When was the last time you saw a Christian denomination insulted and a crowd (or mob) of Christians demanded the death of someone, burned effigies and rioted in the streets. For example, the recent movie THE GOLDEN COMPASS has been considered by some as anti Catholic and extolling atheism. I don't recall any Catholic mobs assembling and burning down theaters which showed the movie. How many Catholics came out openly and called for the death of the film makers and anyone associated with the film? Yet Salmon Rushdie writes a book and immediately imans place a death sentence on him.
Former Augustan makes two valid points.
One - that Muslims seem to be offended by any slight and a certain percentage will act violently and drag out the tired "DEATH TO ISREAL" "DEATH TO AMERICA" mantra. And the countires were these demonstrations occur are only too happy to let these demonstrations happen because it takes the spotlight off their government and social/econimic conditions.
Two - When was the last time you saw a Christian denomination insulted and a crowd (or mob) of Christians demanded the death of someone, burned effigies and rioted in the streets. For example, the recent movie THE GOLDEN COMPASS has been considered by some as anti Catholic and extolling atheism. I don't recall any Catholic mobs assembling and burning down theaters which showed the movie. How many Catholics came out openly and called for the death of the film makers and anyone associated with the film? Yet Salmon Rushdie writes a book and immediately imans place a death sentence on him.
I, for one, could care less what offends/insults Muslims....they chose to be Muslim, they can follow all stuff that's Muslim. I am not Muslim, therefore don'e care one iota about what they like or dislike. If they don't like the way they are perceived here in the USA....catch he same damn plane that brought them here and LEAVE. As a matter of fact, I'm considering buying a pig and you know exactly what it's name will be!
Former Augustan..A pack of crazed dogs. Exactly. European countries have weakened and are letting them have their way.
It's here and will only get worse unless they are somehow stopped.
Cain, you ignorant dolt. I'm not sure how you manage it, really. You APPEAR to read the text to which you are responding, but first you twist and distort everything the writer said, so that you are "replying" to things that were never said. I guess the plus, for you, is that it makes you look just like Bill & Hillary. The downside, of course, is that a majority of the people who hear those two, think that they are lying, sleazy lowlifes. To the present case: the op/ed is not about war, or about "occupations" or about Israel, or about anything else that you mentioned in your "reply." In fact, three of the examples in the op/ed refer to events in Holland. You know, Holland. Where they accept everybody, and let everybody live however they want. The country that has no troops anywhere in the world, including (apparently) in Holland. So, tell me, Cain. How did the Netherlands "offend" Islam by occupying Iraq or supporting Israel? Not EVERYTHING in the world is about Bush, Cain, your 2 minutes' hate notwithstanding. The op/ed is commenting on the peaceful, serene muslims' habit of condemning people to death when they say things the muslims don't like.
You can say that they have "hijacked" Islam all you want; the fact is, you're talking about respected mullahs who carry real weight in the global muslim community, people who act in the governments of the countries in which they live, whose word has the force of law. And these are the people sharpening their knives every time someone (gasp!) says the name Muhammed without adding "peace be upon him." And, Cain, the ACES make a valid point: the same people who insist on their right not to be offended, who demand that blind people find some other way to get around--because a muslim cabbie can't pick up a seeing eye dog--, the same people who want gov't financed footbaths all over the place, also insist on their right to kill someone who names a teddy bear muhammed. Know what? I have pet roaches...one is named Jesus, one is Buddha, one is Moses, and one is Muhammed. Think I need to be worried about the Hebrew Mafia breaking down my door...?
Very well put johnsmith. Whether radicals have hijacked Islam or not they are in control of it just as a terrorist is in control of a plane if they hijack it. Oh and FYI everybody Muhammed was a warlord. Thats not an opinion just read your history books...it's fact. Just because some followers of his religion along the way have been good decent people who practice peace doesn't mean those were the ideals of the man who started the religion. In truth I think the so called radicals are far more in line with the teachings of their prophet than the peace loving Muslims. I know that's not the popular point of view but again...look in your history books. Not much peaceful about the actions of Muhammed.
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