In defense of free speech

I finally looked at each of the 12 Danish cartoons that have sparked such a clash of civilizations, even in Tracy.

To my Western eye, there’s nothing offensive or newsworthy about the depictions of the Prophet Mohammed that first ran in a Danish newspaper last September and have since been reprinted around the world. But the international ado has led to demonstrations and violence in the streets and death threats against the cartoonists.

For some, it’s been an eye-opener about Islam and the sensitivities of different groups. To Muslims, depictions of Muhammad are forbidden; thus, these cartoons insult the Quran and demonize a beloved prophet.

But the publishing of the cartoons makes an important point about press freedom and our country’s First Amendment. Just as we are free to publish the cartoons, if we choose, readers are free to tell us exactly what they think of the cartoons.

Well, to tell you the truth, I haven't even seen the cartoons. But I can't think of many things that would offend me, being the heathen that I am. Regardless of what the cartoon says and who gets upset about it, it does fall under freedom of speech. Some folks may not like it, may not approve of it, but WHAT ELSE IS NEW?? Get over it already!
I have many things that make me upset, but I don't go outside and pillage and burn when someone makes disparaging remarks about George W, (but then how can tell if they are disparaging?), nor do I become ballistic when I hear the head idiot in Iran saying the Holocaust was a figment of everyone's imagination and that Isreal must be destroyed, etc. Americans figure he has the right to say whatever he wants because they know freedom of speech — and they know he's an idiot.
People may not like it, may not agree with it, but we all have the right to say it. If you don't like what you hear or read, then you have many alternatives. Turn off the TV, don't subscribe to the newspaper, leave the country, or turn around and walk away — and did I mention leave the country. Because we do live in America, Muslims who are offended even have the right to say that we shouldn't or can't make fun of Muhammad. But that doesn't mean I have to listen to them.
I'd say I would respect your right to be upset, but you have to respect my freedom of speech. And given today's society, nothing should come as much of a shock. Again, we may not like it, but it is America.
After all, if you don't like it, there are always those alternatives.

Posted by: russ zellmer at February 13, 2006 03:16 PM

This issue is more than just about press freedom and how it impacts on other people's sensibilities.

More importantly, it is about submission. Whether the West should submit to demands from groups that continue to cling to ways and values long ago buried in the archives of past centuries.

Once and for all, a definite stand has to be made. Or else, Western civilization which has done so much may be lost.

Posted by: Amadeo at February 14, 2006 12:47 PM

My opinion on the bigger picture.
I have been avoiding posting on this subject, but I have been reading up on what is happening in Europe as a result of Muslim immigration, and considering the parallel of immigration in our country. This leads me to the eventuality that we will either change our immigration policies or face destruction. I do not want to use the word holocaust, but 9/11 was the closest thing to the European holocaust that has ever happened on US soil (with the possible exception of Pearl Harbor). I think the biggest problem we face is that we are sitting back, fat, dumb and happy, and fanatics who would like to destroy us are working on their plans, and teaching future generations to continue those plans.

In the US, we do not teach future generations to learn from the past (revisionist history), and if one thing is true, it is true that those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. We already saw that on 9/11. Israel and other countries have suffered terrorist attacks and we did not learn from the measures they have taken to prevent them from happening again. It was only until after 9/11 that we hardened a cockpit door on jet aircraft and started searching passengers more thouroughly.

So while cartoons are a mere distraction today, they are part of the latest chapter in this book being written, the rise and fall of the USA. We cannot allow this to be the final chapter.
Immigration and control of WMD’s (Weapons of mass destruction, i.e. nukes, dirty bombs, poison gas, etc.) are the keys to our survival today. If we do not clean up immigration and control illiegal immigration, we will have the Muslim influx seen in Europe. Americans absolutely cannot fathom a Muslim demonstration in the streets of the USA with the type of messages seen this year in Britain. The “cartoon” demonstrations had Islamic fanatics carrying signs with slogans like “Britain, you will pay, 7-7 is on the way”. For those who do not know, 7-7 was the day of the bus bombings in Central London last year. The bombings were carried out by Muslim fanatics, suicide bombers.
If a demonstration were held on most any city street corner in America (except perhaps in Berkeley or San Francisco) and Islamic protestors held up signs saying “USA you will pay, another 9/11 is coming”, I would bet my next paycheck that there would be bloodshed on that street corner on that day.
Don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t personally get involved. The persons being arrested would be Americans, for the Muslim protestors would only be exercising their right of free speech.
What I want people to consider is that with illegal immigration to the USA continuing as it is today, basically unchecked, the only reason we have survived through to today is that the immigrants come from mainly Christian countries. If the illegal population here in the US were mainly Muslim, what would have happened after 9/11?
The clash of civilizations may come down to a free speech argument today, but it will be over something else tomorrow. What will that be? The borders of Israel? The right of Iran to nuclear capability? We can pick a fight with Muslims over some issues, but we do not want that fight taking place in our backyard

Posted by: anon.tracyite at February 23, 2006 11:49 AM

With all this crying about how the cartoons were 'harmful' and somehow offensive to muslims, our President made one mistake. By siding with the Islamic thought that such drawings are offensive, yet the media, among others, keeping their silence when Andres Serrano put a crucifix into a jar of urine in 1989. I feel that the 1989 photograph was more offensive than these cartoons, of which all I have seen. Did Christians across America riot? No. Was there an outcry to have the photograph removed from display? Yes. Why wasn't it? Freedom of Speech. So why doesn't the press print all of these photos? Islam is, after all, a peace loving religion aren't they?

Posted by: Scott Baldwin at March 6, 2006 03:00 PM