Too Little, Too Late

From the desk of The Brussels Journal on Sun, 2006-02-05 18:54

A quote from Daniel Schwammenthal on the WSJ’s OpinionJournal.com, 5 February 2006

The support shown in the past few days by newspapers around Europe reprinting the cartoons is very welcome. But the vast majority of Europe's media didn’t join the battle. And so in the end, it was too little, too late, coming just after the Danes were forced to “confess.” [...]

But what really sealed the Danes’ fate – and possibly Europe’s – was the lack of solidarity from other governments. The European Union likes to call “emergency meetings” for the most trivial topics, from farm subsidies to VAT rates. But when one of their smallest members came under attack for nothing else than being a European country, for defending the values and norms the EU is based on, there was nothing but silence from Europe’s capitals. That silence has been heard and understood in the Muslim world.

Mr Muslim,

Submitted by Lee on Mon, 2006-02-06 11:34.

I'm a professional non-muslim, brought up in the West and I take no offence about these cartoons, nor about cartoons in the ME regarding the West or regarding the Jews, for that matter. Suggest you just get over it and see your GP. Your blood pressure is way too high.

Salaam, Sjalom, Pax... whatever.

Lee

Submitted by Muslim on Mon, 2006-02-06 11:54.

Thanks for your comments.

Cartoons: A reflection of a lack of knowledge or bigotry?

Submitted by Muslim on Mon, 2006-02-06 11:15.

As a professional, educated Muslim born and brought up in the West, I
express my utter disgust at the Danish newspaper (and other
newspapers) for inciting hatred by their cartoons. Such cartoons are
reminicent of cartoons of Jews that were depicted in newspapers before
World War-II. Masked in the name of "freedom of speech", it was a
'legal' means to insult and discriminate against a people and their
religion. Such cartoons directly attack the religion and reflect
either (1) a poor understanding of the cartoonist/Editor in
differentiating between Muslim fanatics and moderates, or (2) a well
understood and deliberate provokation and attack with foreknowledge of
the potential impact and consequences of such actions on Muslims. In
the former instance, such cartoons lend support to the now defunct
post-Cold War Hungtingtonian theory of a "clash of civilizations",
while the latter instance makes the cartoonist/Editor guilty of
blatant discrimination and bigotry. Neither should be acceptable to
established newspapers of repute, and to people -- Muslim and
non-Muslim -- who have more than an infinitesimal level of
understanding.

Is that it?

Submitted by Bob Doney on Mon, 2006-02-06 11:33.

As a professional, educated Muslim born and brought up in the West, I
express my utter disgust at the Danish newspaper (and other
newspapers) for inciting hatred by their cartoons.

So, is that it? Do you also have a view about the subsequent events - burning of embassies, death threats, deliberate campaigns of misinformation to exacerbate the situation?

Bob Doney

Bob

Submitted by Muslim on Mon, 2006-02-06 11:48.

I don't support violent Muslim reactions at all, or the misinformation by emotion-filled Muslims. This, however, still doesn't absolve the publisher for his (1) ignorance, or (2) deliberate provokation -- neither of which should be acceptable, I think, to any newspaper of repute. Harsh Muslim reactions should have been expected under the already existing tension among Muslims caused by other events, as explained recently in another post. With this knowledge, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that publishing cartoons against Islam will indeed provoke a violent/harsh reaction by Muslims. I can never condone violent reactions from any Muslim, but I neither condone newspapers that promote ignorance or unnecessary provokation that lead to such reactions, especially when it's obvious that the chances of such a reaction are quite high under the prevailing environment. Peace.

to nermin

Submitted by von Schlichtningen on Mon, 2006-02-06 05:41.

!Sorry for the repeat posting. Error in third paragraph now corrected: With to without!

Yes, Muslims have priests. They just go by another name. Muftis or imams.

Sacred work indeed. The protection of freedom of expression is comparable to sacred work. Voltaire once wrote: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

Without freedom of expression there can not be any freedom. Without freedom there can not be any civilization.

Boycotting is a fine peaceful way of expressing yourself. I also sometimes boycott products, when I for some reason disapprove of the company. I am all for the Muslim boycott if that is the way you feel about these companies or the country they come from. But you do realize how many countries you will have to boycott now?

the brits are awaking thank god

Submitted by halleluya on Mon, 2006-02-06 01:22.

all people from uk realize the government did nothing to stop those nasty muslims in the street calling for beheading.

now i hope brits realize what kind of people they have at home.

here is the article i wanted ur comments about

Submitted by nermin on Sun, 2006-02-05 21:15.

Europeans think that freedom of speech is guaranteed in Europe, and that they are defending it against Islamic pressure. This is a view that is widely propagated and defended by groups from across the political spectrum. Reality, however, presents us Muslims living in Europe with another experience. Muslims and others in Europe can not say everything they often want to say and they risk being arrested and prosecuted if they do. Muslims and other religious people can not express their disgust from homosexuality and clearly state that they believe it’s a sickness and a deviation without being persecuted for being homophobic.
Mr Jahjah certainly has a point here. Not only Muslims are not allowed to voice all their opinions. Only last week the French parliamentarian Christian Vanneste was sentenced in court to a heavy fine because he had stated that “homosexual behaviour endangers the survival of humanity” and that “heterosexuality is morally superior to homosexuality.” Earlier last month a majority in the European Parliament called for sanctions against Poland and the Baltic states because their governments are said to be “homophobic.” In the Netherlands access to certain jobs in the civil service is effectively denied to anyone religious (be it Christian or Muslim) who refuses to participate in concluding same-sex marriages. And the EU wants to force doctors to perform abortions and euthanasia because, it says, the right to conscientious objection is not “unlimited.”

To nermin,

Submitted by mtk2006 on Mon, 2006-02-06 08:50.

"Europeans think that freedom of speech is guaranteed in Europe, and that they are defending it against Islamic pressure. This is a view that is widely propagated and defended by groups from across the political spectrum. Reality, however, presents us Muslims living in Europe with another experience. Muslims and others in Europe can not say everything they often want to say and they risk being arrested and prosecuted if they do. Muslims and other religious people can not express their disgust from homosexuality and clearly state that they believe it’s a sickness and a deviation without being persecuted for being homophobic."
**********************
I cannot speak to the ways of Europe. I live in the US. I know in the US there is also not consistency regarding the seperation of Church and state. I find this very frustrating as well but it is reality. No system is perfect. One then needs to work within the system to make it better. Compared to the country that you come from, how consistent is it compared to Europe? I know our country is certainly not perfect either.

I think Europe has become so politically correct that it is now falling into the trap of the inconsistencies that present themselves when one tries to protect others feelings. That is why, I feel, Freedom of Speech must error on the side of too much freedom of speech rather than too little. Because if it is too little, then where does one draw the line?

If you call me ktm2 rather than mtk2 and I take offense to that, is that a valid critisism on my part? Who knows?

Life is messy sometimes, really most of the time. But compared to the dictorships of the Middle East, I think we do pretty well most of the time. NOT all of the time.

Dictatorships are very streamlined and "clean" because there is absolute power. But general freedom is also very limited becasue of this.

I will take our messy system any day.

And please remember, we do not have ABSOLUTE freedom of speech or ABSOLUTE equality here either. Or anywhere else in the world for that matter.

We are not allowed to yell fire in a crowded theater. The US distinguishes this one exception because of the physical safety of people. But that is our only limitation to freedom of speech. Otherwise, we can say anything.

Again, the US errors on the side of TOO MUCH freedom of speech. I personally think Europe errors on TOO LITTLE. But that is just my opinion.
***********
If the only criteria is "hurting ones feelings", is this not a personal experience for each individual and therefore subject to "how tough one's skin is". And this varies from one person to the next.

Just because Muslims believe everything in the Quran must be believed and obeyed, does that mean I must also follow the Quran as well. Do I require you to follow the the rules of the catholic church even though you are not catholic? Did not Allah gives us all a free will to choose our own destiny.
*******************************
But really the bigger issue here is how one responds to these injustices and inconsisitencies that is within EVERY country.

VIOLENCE or THREATENING DEATH IS NOT NOR WILL IT EVER BE an acceptable form of protest!!

The non-muslims will vigorously and tirelessly fight violence directed at us to our very last breath! This I can guarantee you!! That is why there has been so much aggression directed at you and bursha here on this blog.

There WILL BE NO COMPROMISE on this issue!

Respectfully,
mtk2

to mtk2006

Submitted by nermin on Mon, 2006-02-06 12:48.

you said:The non-muslims will vigorously and tirelessly fight violence directed at us to our very last breath! This I can guarantee you!! That is why there has been so much aggression directed at you and bursha here on this blog.

if u sau so you can understna dthe same reaction by muslims taking into consideration that curreent circumstances and pressure put on them as u know.
i said before i am not with death threats or burningembassies or even ijuring anyone because simply this is not islam morals or principals...but i said before too that donot expect 1.5 bilions muslism to be angles with cold blood..youeven deny burning of your flags or boycotting u ...what do u want from us...i said before and again now you suffer from superiority complex .this which made u erradicate red indians and support aparthide in south africa an dall fascists in th e world if it is with your interests..
also again ..there is noabsolute freedom in anything.my freedom and your freedom stops when it concern others and especialy when i know what i am doing well and taht iam provoking intended...

Then let us not be silent

Submitted by von Schlichtningen on Sun, 2006-02-05 21:00.

Let us make sure the Muslims hear the message through the Blogosphere. Here there is no silence! Eventually the fanatics will discover these blogs and realize that members of nearly all countries in the world have published the cartoons.

Of course all of us that have published the pictures are now sentenced to death by priests. So be it. I shal continue writing and publishing as long as necessary.

Free speech with responsibility

Submitted by Muslim on Mon, 2006-02-06 11:33.

I advocate free speech but only with responsibility and common sense. It is already well known to everyone that Muslim tensions were very high prior to the Muslim cartoon debacle. The reasons are many, including (1)the 9/11 attacks; (2) the bombing of Afghanistan that killed civilians, in addition to extremists; (3) the invasion of Iraq and killing of civilians (called "collateral damage" by the U.S. military); (4) the Iran nuclear issue; (5) the Palestine-Israeli conflict; and other issues. In an environment where tensions are already on the high among Muslims, it it is foolish to publish cartoons that insult Prophet Muhammad in the name of free speech, or for that matter, in the name of anything. The harsh reaction by many Muslims is not solely based on Islamic radicalism (as purported by some incompetent media pundits) but mainly because of frustration accumulated from other recent current events. The cartoons were merely a spark that unleashed earlier frustrations caused by mainly US foreign policy. Reactions of Muslims should therefore be seen in proper context rather than through myopic tunnel vision, as some in the media are unabashedly doing.

to von Schlichtningen from nermin

Submitted by nermin on Sun, 2006-02-05 21:10.

muslims donot have priests Mr.also donot have nuns,cardinal, pop or celebate...
aslo i though you european people are more wiser than this ...in fact your attitude is proved to childish..
why all is this feverish competion between all of you who calim to be civlized to publish those cartoons as if you are doing sacred work...
then you deny us to be provoked and angry.
iam not with death threaths by the way.
but boycotting you is theleast way and it is freedom of action...i think you ran out of words...

to nermin

Submitted by von Schlichtningen on Mon, 2006-02-06 01:51.

Yes, Muslims have priests. They just go by another name. Muftis or imams.

Sacred work indeed. The protection of freedom of expression is comparable to sacred work. Voltaire once wrote: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

With freedom of expression there can not be any freedom. Without freedom, there can not be any civilization.

to von

Submitted by bashar on Mon, 2006-02-06 02:01.

we will boycott as many as it take it doesnt matter but will the europpean market survive
the us does not allow many europpena products to go there tehh chinese market doea not allow any products to enter their land they have self produce 1 billion nation and they are the only nation have surplus believe we will survive without the cheese and diary europpen products but will yousurvive without these markets??????????

The British Government has

Submitted by Slim shady on Sun, 2006-02-05 21:06.

The British Government has disappointed me big time. I have always considered the UK to be a brave and strong nation. Unfortunately, now they've shown us, they're nothing but a bunch of cowards.

How disappointing.

to slim shady from nermin

Submitted by nermin on Sun, 2006-02-05 21:13.

donot be disapponited from Uk.all the issue is that UK is involoved to its ears in the blood of iraq and doesnot want anymore disturbnace or provokation there now..hav e u understood mr fool