Muhammad cartoon row goes global

The cartoons were originally published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten then reprinted by several European papers. Representations of Mohammed are considered blasphemous by many Muslims. Several Islamic organizations, governments, and other spokespersons have expressed outrage over this.

While freedom of speech is important, one of the cartoons depicted Mohammed in a bomb-shaped turban. How does this make any kind of useful contribution to public debate? It clearly offends Muslims. Freedom of expression is an important value, but its value rests in the fact that it provides a forum for open public debate about significant issues. These cartoons are not about freedom of expression; they're hate literature designed to sell newspapers.

For the curious, the cartoons may be seen HERE.

This reminds me of the derogatory anti-Catholic cartoon the "celebration of spring at St. Paedophilia's (Catholic Church) -- the annual Running of the Altar Boys." If you recall, that cartoon (viewable HERE) RAISED HOLY HELL in the Capital Region:

Sexual abuse in the Catholic Church has been front-page news. Ironically, it was the demands of a front page that allowed a controversial cartoon on the scandal to slip into The Record of Troy, N.Y. The paper apologized for what it said was a mistake in publishing the Pat Oliphant drawing, which showed a horde of lecherous priests chasing kids out of "St. Paedophilia's" church in the "annual running of the altar boys." Record Editor Lisa Robert Lewis said she was planning to pull the cartoon before the March 28 editorial page went to press. "I decided it was insensitive and inappropriate and clearly shouldn't run," she told E&P Online. Then, Lewis was called away to deal with a problem on the front page and failed to pull the cartoon. "It was my responsibility and my fault that this occurred," she said. About 250 readers contacted the paper, with only a handful liking the cartoon. The Record -- which has covered the pedophilia scandal in its news pages -- ran both a page-one and editorial-page apology for the cartoon.

Source: Editor & Publisher (archive link has been removed)

Michelle Malkin is disturbed by what's happening with these cartoons. She blogs: Where was that deference when Ted Turner was calling Catholics "Jesus Freaks?" Where was the sensitivity about offensive religious imagery when Jeanne Moos was mocking images of Jesus Christ? Why is it that American media, including CNN, have absolutely no qualms about splashing Kanye West-as-Christ all over the airwaves and Internet... Read Michelle's post and check out the Video!

People, you should know better!

The Daily Background puts it in perspective.

This reminds me of a post I put up just 6 days ago!

I have a new post up February 3: click here to read SYMPATHY!

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