Wtf?!

[deathtoperham]

I've been following the controversy about the cartoons of Mohammed. I understand both sides of the debate, but what I don't understand is this:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2024352,00.html

Um... what the hell? Britain has pretty much nothing to do with this! No newspaper has reprinted the cartoons and the British media has been largely

Comments

[fool4him]

From what I remember, visual portrayal of the Prophet is a highly blasphemous action to Muslims. So I guess I can understand getting a little worked up about that (although not to the point of burning down two foreign embassies).

On the other hand, Muslims should probably be glad that up until now their religion is probably the only one that hasn't had it's chief religious figure lampooned in political cartoons, Family Guy episodes, etc. Frankly, if Islam got the same amount of respect in the media and pop culture that other religions do, mobs would already have torn down Europe.

[deathtoperham]

Exactly.

Ahh, this is one of those issues where I feel for both sides. I think it was irresponsible and unnecessary for the cartoons to be published in the first place. I mean, it was pretty certain that it would cause anger among the Muslim community. Plus, it was rather unprovoked (as in, it didn't seem to have specific purpose or relevance, other than to demonstrate "freedom of the press"--a dodgy reason, if you ask me). I totally agree with people wanting to protest peacefully. I just don't understand why this inevitably escalates to flag burning, bomb threats, and violence with certain groups.

[bachthatthingup]

It's horrible that so much anger and destruction is being geared toward European citizens and foreign diplomats who have absolutely no control over the press. And the Danish Prime Minister is insisiting that he can't speak on behalf of it....seriously, the way things are escalating, for the sake of peace it wouldn't kill democracy to issue a few apologies.