Stupid people

[mundens]

Well, there were two things that annoyed me over the weekend, so I'm going to vent on one of them here, maybe the other later, but I'll cut it so you don't have to read unless you feel like it.

Comments

[asgard]

If you actually understood why they are upset about these images, maybe you'd be a little bit more understanding. It is not just pictures of an old guy with a beard. It's a picture of the most revered of their prophets. Islam is also a religion where no pictoral reference can be made about the prophet, and as such it is an afront when people don't understand and respect this fact.

As for the Close Up gig, have you noticed how most of the muslims they get on television (worldwide) aren't very linguistically capable? Unable to properly express themselves and the true meanings behind their words? Thats not a coincidence for obvious reasons. Quite a few people at work were completely uninpressed by how Close Up handled the issue, including some of the reporters.

I agree that the way in which people are dealing with this issue is not cool. Violence solves nothing, and yes they are definitely shooting themselves in the foot with their reaction.
But in the same token I believe the media did this on purpose.

Those cartoons were first printed in September last year. But no one reacted because the paper didn't make a huge show of it. They re-printed it again and this time got the effect they were after. And it's the same with most media out there who are printing those cartoons. They want the reaction and the advertisement to their brand.

"It is just an excuse for violence, by people who like violence, faith has absolutely nothing to do with it despite the protestations of those involved."

Now that is uncalled for. Do you really believe all muslims like violence?

Dude, I can so totally see Cat Stevens packing an uzi, not.

[mundens]

OK firstly I never said that all muslims like violence, so no, I don't believe that.

I'm saying that faith has nothing, (well, that may be a bit strong, let me modfiy that to) little to do with the violence that is occuring in this case. Faith in this case is merely an excuse for a bunch of yobos to go on a rampage, primarily to influence public opinion over other matters.

To address your first point, for the purposes of my argument it doesn't really matter why they are upset. I understand why they are offended, though as mentioned elsewhere on this thread, it is their choice to be offended, nothing is forcing them to make that choice.

But no matter how offended they are, it doesn't give any justification to tell other people who do not share their faith what they may or nay not do. Nor does it give them a valid excuse to indulge in violence against people who really have nothing to do with the act they are annoyed about.

It is these yobos, who possibly may not even be muslim and are just jumping on the band-wagon, who I am railing against.

Muslims (or anyone else, for that matter) who merely register their objection to the material and respectfully request people not to publish it have my complete support. I don't even mind peaceful protest activity, that is their right of free speech, even though I would consider protest over-kill for a mere cartoon, soemthing that has been done many times before and no doubt will be done many times again.

But even calling for governments to act, or legislation to prevent such activities is a step too far, IMO.