It's good that people on the list are quick to defend Buddhists, even from relatively oblique references that might be interpreted as indicating a lack of respect. Can a similar level of courtesy and respect be extended to Muslims? I'm a little surprised that an anti-Muslim joke could go up on the list with little comment (save an alert note by Harry C) and no apology (Sept 8, the one about Kuwaiti women walking ten paces ahead due to landmines) and then the same person who posted that joke would go after Max's Buddha-can-you-spare-a-dime aside, which strikes me as far less offensive in terms of the cultural stereotypes it calls upon. I think Michael E is completely sincere and said some smart things, especially on stereotypes being a general problem and not just a concern of those stereotyped. But it is worrying that we have a climate in which anti-Muslim stereotypes go largely unchallenged and perhaps are not even perceived as such. Best, Colin
