Boldly Exercising Our Freedoms
The moral premises shared by any group tells you whether it's a society seeking mutual benefits for members based on respect and voluntary exchanges or a criminal gang. The message from the 200 politicians from 16 countries in the Arab Inter- Parliamentary Union -- a message that screams like Islamic mobs protesting the Danish cartoons of Mohammad -- is that their organization, the governments they represent and the cultures on which they are based still remain beyond the bounds of civilized principles. Those politicians have called on “Arab and Muslim governments to spare no effort to pressure the UN to issue a resolution banning the slandering of religions.”
… it's most appropriate that they turn to the UN. This is a case of like attracting like. … The declaration of Arab and Muslim politicians should make clear -- as if it weren't clear already -- that we face not just the unruly mobs that are protesting the Mohammad cartoons but also the governments of most Arab and Islamic countries that would make censorship of whatever offends their prejudices a worldwide standard. Those who hold to the civilized principle that individuals should be free to do, say and live as they please as long as they don't initiate force against others must boldly exercise those freedoms in defense of freedom lest intimidation from those who oppose our freedoms further erode them.
Speaking of “boldly exercising those freedoms,” Yaron Brook and Onkar Ghate, of the Ayn Rand Institute, will be talking about (and boldly displaying) the Danish cartoons of Mohammad at
However, I still maintain that my position is the toughest no-nonsense stance on this issue. We are not just fighting for free speech; we are fighting for the truth and the freedom to speak the truth. As long as we ignore the content and merely focus on the process, we’ve conceded half the territory to the enemy.
PS. If you think intimidation, censorship, and the outright elimination of Islam’s critics is a recent phenomena, consider the original example that inspires this behavior: read James M. Arlandson’s article, “Muhammad’s Dead Poets Society” at The American Thinker.
Update: Enter the Asma Marwan Poetry contest or the Islamic Cartoon Contest.
posted by Jason Pappas at 8:17 AM
15 Comments:
So while Islamic countries turn a blind eye on church/Synagogue burnings, they want to pass a resolution denouncing the defamation of their religion? The Islamic double standard is never-ending.
I agree, Charles. Great link.
Humor may be the most potent weapon we’ve yet to use.
Where’s Voltaire when you need him?
Among the diverse audience that comes to my blog, I have Jews, Evangelical Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, atheists, Republicans, Brits, Kiwis, and we all agree one some issues and enjoy our differences … except leftists. Why is it that leftists are the most intolerant, snide, dogmatic, and, well, just plain ornery people on the ‘net?
Leftists are anti-reason and explicitly so as I've proven time and time again.
Hate? Take a look at Islam. We're fighting hate, here.
Ducky, your mind is veiled,
your brain a burka,
if only it would open,
and take a good looka.
Offensive speech is protected speech.
On the day the UN invades Saudi Arabia for the purpose of ending what we consider unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment, on the day they invade Syria to end racist govt pronouncments, on THAT KIND OF DAY..they can BEGIN to make the case that slandering religions as a limit to freedom of speech MIGHT be something to consider.
Barring that day .. Collect the parking ticket fines, send these corrupt servants of 3rd world dictators and other racists on their way, and use the fines to BUILD A NEW YANKEE STADIUM.
Hey BTW Mr. Ducky ...have you ever published in SOCIAL TEXT?
You have the knack down clean.
Ah, the UN. Oil for Food, Koffe's son and his ride, sexual abuses, and the 'safe sex' program in Africa, where instructions for condom use were STAPLED through the condom.
The UN does so much good.
The UN is a joke.
The banning of DDT by eco-fascists and other assorted UN type socialist control freaks has led to the unnecessary deaths from malaria of millions of people in developing countries.
Why is it that leftists are the most intolerant, snide, dogmatic, and, well, just plain ornery people on the ‘net?
Beamish's Hypothesis states that leftists are inherently incapable of rational thought.
My quest through the entirety of human history has found no compelling evidence to dispute this.
From the American Thinker article, the quote by Amir Taheri:
The truth is that Islam has always had a sense of humor and has never called for chopping heads as the answer to satirists. Muhammad himself pardoned a famous Meccan poet who had lampooned him for more than a decade.
"Pardoned?" Pardoned?? What exactly was the "crime", Amir?
Even if you use the poets that Mohammed did "forgive" as your example, something here's very, very wrong...
So that even pedants like Mr. Ducky can understand, the point is - obviously - that, in order to "pardon" someone for the act of satire, that act must already be a crime. (!!) Or do you disagree, Ducky?
The Duck proves Fallachi's chapter 11 is correct about the evil alliance of Commies and Jihadis.
Ducky lets see how much real estate do the Arabs have ? It is never enough and lets not pretend the Pseudostinians are a legitamate ethnic group.
How can you talk about crooks and then praise the Oil for Weapons and Personal Enrichment program?
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