This whole moral equivalency thing is getting tired, man. This isn't a discussion about religious tolerance or freedom of speech, it is a discussion about respect for the rule of law. Muslims in the U.S. are not rioting in the streets over these cartoons. Why not? Because they believe in the rights - and responsibilities- of being part of a free civil society. Are they offended? Maybe, sure. Are people angry, offended? Sure, and that's fine. Our society allows people to express their anger, their disgust at what they see as offensive to them.
What our society does not allow is for people to create armed militias who publicly threaten the lives and safety of others- for any reason. That is the basic problem with Palestinian society today- no respect for the rule of law. You want to spin that into some kind of problem with the West, whatever, but you can't alter the fact that the Palestinian territories are only a rung or two above Somalia in their respect for the rule of law. Where else do you see armed gangs roaming the streets killing people at will without fear of retribution? Somalia, parts of Afghanistan. Other spots, too, but those places top the list. Not exactly model states, although both countries have made progress in building civil government in limited areas. This is not a problem with the West, with Israel, or with any other nation. This is an internal Palestinian problem that they need to sort out if they ever hope to join the world community in a meaningful way. >I want to see the shots and photos on Western television of Jesus humping Mary. >They have been made, and were part of a political cartoon against George Bush. > >Why haven't these been publicised??? >FREEDOM OF SPEECH! > >What is wrong with CNN talking about 'Respect' for Islam? FREEDOM OF SPEECH! >I want to see the Political Cartoon showing the Temple Mount being >painted with Swastikas! > >Respect? Who needs Respect when you're The West. >Life is Best In The West, Forget The Rest! > >uhh...except when they become unreasonable and do things like start >shooting and kidnapping..and generally rioting and stuff like that. >The heathens...the savages...Just like those damned Native Americans >and all the rest. Bah! >What a bother having to deal with other cultures? > >But ...what's this Respect word about again? > > >On 2/2/06, Jerry Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Well, you can see that the Palestinians are not ready to join the >> world and govern a reasonable modern state. Why didn't the Palestinian >> security forces protect the EU offices, and arrest those making the >> threats? Isn't that what a government is supposed to do? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:5:195748 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:5 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.5 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
