The cartoon riots

For reasons I don't quite understand, my post on the cartoon riots disappeared; oh, the vagaries of Blogger. I was, however, able to save the comments, which follow. The cartoons are linked in numerous places, including here.

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In a rare display of "integrity", if you can call it that, the US government agreed with the Muslim community about the cartoons.

"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." "We call for tolerance and respect for all communities for their religious beliefs and practices," he added.

Ironic that the Bush administration would condemn inciting religious or ethnic hatred.

I am torn. On the one hand, the cartoons are offensive and I think it is petty of the European papers to republish them knowing how offensive they are. On the other hand, the Muslim community needs to focus on real issues like the flaws in their community.

It is sad. Since most Muslim countries supporess protests against the government and encourages protests against the "godless" west, the community explodes over trivial nonsense. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what the Danes or other Europeans do about the cartoons. Muslims will still have the same shitty governments and economies.

- The Intellectual Insurgent

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The protests over the "Koran in the toilet" at Gitmo had the same result.

As the violence is spreading I think it is pretty clear the Muslim world is just looking for reasons to protest and go off on the west. I think the frustration will continue to grow as long as our Middle East policy is so incompetent.

- JJ

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I never understood the big deal about putting a Quran in a toilet. So what? It's a book and it's not the only Quran on the planet. If Muslims weren't so easily offended by every little thing, people wouldn't have so many ways to bait them. They don't want foreigners to physically control them, but they certainly allow them to emotionally control them.

- The Intellectual Insurgent

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Very true. In the end I don't think it was the book in the toilet as much an excuse. The cartoons are also an excuse to show their displeasure and protest.

Any excuse will do.

- JJ