danish-western europe cartoon row
i've been following the danish-western europe cartoon row pretty closely since it's developed over the past few days. i think the european press is being absolutely ridiculous in their claims to 'defend' or 'celebrate' free speech. given the volatile relationship between europeans and islam, the presentation of the caricatures was inappropriate and smacks of latent racism. if the european press can be sensitive to matters of race [i really can't imagine them making an anti-semitic or african caricature] why can't they be respectful when it comes to religion, especially something as charged as islam? reporters without borders said the reaction in the arab world "betrays a lack of understanding" of press freedom as "an essential accomplishment of democracy." um, could they get any more condescending? the europeans are not defending free speech, they are defending hate speech and cultural chauvinism.