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Really, why is this even news.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) -- A Danish court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit filed by Muslim organizations against the newspaper that first published the Prophet Mohammed cartoons that touched off protests in the Islamic world.
The City Court in Aarhus said it could not be ruled out that some Muslims had been offended by the 12 drawings printed in Jyllands-Posten, but said there was no reason to assume that the cartoons were meant to "belittle Muslims."
Who cares whether the cartoons were meant to belittle Muslims. That's not exactly the point. The point is whether I can express my opinion about any topic I want. Whether it's my favorite color, political statements, or criticism of a cult of violence and death. Granted, it's harder to express yourself in Europe than in the US, because you can be successfully prosecuted for offensive speech in some countries. Fortunately, based on this dismissal, Denmark isn't one of them.
If this had been an issue involving a depiction of Jesus, Moses, or one of the many incarnations of Buddha, this would have largely been a non-issue. Sure there would have been some people upset. But I can guarantee that there would be few, if any, calling for death and/or dismemberment. The worst would be people saying it was in bad taste. There definitely would not be world-wide riots and outrage as a result.
The seven Muslim groups filed the defamation lawsuit against the paper in March, after Denmark's top prosecutor declined to press criminal charges, saying the drawings did not violate laws against racism or blasphemy.
There are laws against blasphemy? What the hell? How can it be blasphemy if you don't even believe their tripe? And last I looked, Denmark was not part of the Caliphate.
The lawsuit said the cartoons depict Mohammed "as belligerent, oppressing women, criminal, crazy and unintelligent, and a connection is made between the Prophet and war and terror."
Oh, this is rich. Could the depiction possibly be a result of the fact that Islam itself is belligerent, oppresses women, and is composed insane asshats who embrace death and chaos? Who can blame people for assuming your "Prophet" is part of the whole deal? I mean, you obviously put a lot of stock into what he has said. It's not such a far leap to figure that he must espouse these ideas. Look at how Islamics in the Middle East act. You get judged on actions, not intentions. Although, in this case I think that Islams actions truly do reflect its intentions.
Islam, it's time to act like an adult member of the world's religions. These tantrums don't solve anything. If anything it just pisses people off. Even Europeans, who are known for tolerating and accommodating almost anything in the name of multi-culturalism, are getting a little irritated.
This has got me a little concerned.
On October 17, 2006, an Islamist website posted a message titled "You Can Spy on the Enemies' Airports Directly by Controlling the Cameras' Direction." The message contains a link to a screen showing what it claims to be a live view of various areas within Anchorage International Airport via several cameras (http://209.193.48.89/view/index.shtml). The message gives directions for how to control the cameras and promises to provide links in the future for other airports as well.
The sample screen-shots on that page are from "Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport". I thought one of the requirements of having a place named after you was being dead (or is it for his father?)
The TSA and Homeland Security like to tout their initiatives to prevent unlikely movie-style terrorist plots and waste time foiling unlikely binary explosives. How about they spend just a teeny amount on securing our nation's airport computer networks?
The new arena of war and agression is the Internet. And the new special forces in this theater are the hackers (for good or ill).
And if you don't beleive that Islamic terrorists do not have people actively attacking our network infrastructures... well, I have a bridge in Alaska I want to sell you.
I think they're missing the point.
The latest criticism of Islam being a violent religion, which was sparked by incendiary comments made by Pope Benedict XVI, has caused internet jihadis to launch a new website called Electronic Jihad, located at http://www.al-jinan.org. The purpose of the website is to help organize an electronic jihad against websites that insult Islam and Islamic sacred figures. The site has been well publicized on more established jihadi websites. Jihadi forums are posting quotes from the Quran in order to encourage and convince jihadis and regular Muslims of their duty to engage in electronic jihad and to attack anti-Islamic sites in order to shut them down.
This is violence of a different sort. Until Muslims stop reacting this way to every viewpoint that doesn't fit in with their dogma, they are doing nothing but reinforcing the view that Islam is a reactionary, violent, hate-filled religion. The inability to deal with criticism or even outright hostility in a constructive manner is a sign of weakness not strength. Striking out at anyone even the least bit critical of Islam is a downward spiral.
Violence is the last resort of the civilized; the first for barbarians. And remember..
Eventually, someone with a bigger stick comes around an stomps you into the ground.
...and I'll kill you if you say otherwise. PARIS, Sept 29, 2006 (AFP) - French anti-terrorism authorities Friday opened an inquiry into death threats against a philosophy teacher who has been forced into hiding over a newspaper column attacking Islam, legal officials said.
Robert Redeker, 52, is receiving round-the-clock police protection and changing addresses every two days, after publishing an article describing the Koran as a "book of extraordinary violence" and Islam as "a religion which... exalts violence and hate".
What? I can't believe it! He's being threatened by expressing his opinion of a religion of brotherly-love? Say it ain't so!
Incidentally, the Islamo-Fascists are doing splendid job of supporting his thesis.
Seriously, who's surprised by this. These murderers of men, women, and children have learned, time and time again, that threats and acts of violence work. Well, they work in Europe, mostly. But, I do notice that Redeker has not retracted his statement. Perhaps winds of change are going to sweep across the Continent. But I doubt it.
Interviewed over the telephone from a safe house by Europe 1 radio Friday, he said that "the education ministry has not even contacted me, has not deigned to get in touch to see if I need any help."
On Thursday Education Minister Gilles de Robien expressed "solidarity" with the teacher, but also warned that "a state employee must show prudence and moderation in all circumstances."
Redeker said that "if Robien is correct, then we would never have had any intellectual life in France. The function of politics is not tell us what we are allowed to think, but to defend our freedom to think and speak out."
Let me be the first to invite Redeker to the US. It sounds like he would fit right in. Whatever else, we all need more people like Redeker. The more we, as a culture, stand up to this hateful death-cult, the less power they have. It will be painful, and at times violent, but capitulation is worse.
You know if Islam follows the same time line of growth and change that the Catholic church did, I'd say we should see a Martin Luther style reformer any time now. Of course, once he makes himself known he'll have his skull crushed by a rock wielded by one of those "peaceful" adherents of the faith.
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