Well now, here's something on which I actually have a firm opinion.
http://cagle.msnbc.msn.com/news/blog/bloggifs/Mohammed-cartoons.jpg
The cartoonists have since gone into hiding, because they don't want to be viciously slaughtered by grumpy Muslims. Or is it Moslems? I never paid much attention to anything religious other than Christianity, which I have since largely rejected. (A part of me still thinks the first pope remained full of bullshit after he rejected Christ and everything since then was for the sake of getting himself a position of power. On the other hand, that may just be an idea spawned by the behaviour of the catholic church in recent centuries.)
So, freedom of expression vs respect for religion, is it? Normally, I'd say anything's game; if someone's offended, that's their right. Don't look at anything the cartoonist ever does again, complain, even take a march and burn a flag. As long as the point is made and noone gets hurt, it's all fine and dandy.
Well, people got hurt, and killed. Definitely not dandy.
Five months ago, a Danish newspaper prints the cartoons. I understand they apologised for any offence soon after.
Fast forward to January, and a religious holiday is underway. It involves a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, where a few hundred die in stampedes every year. The news agencies over there blamed the Saudi government for poor management of the mess. As I understand it, all this is the usual routine, each and every year.
The government tried to redirect attention this year by pointing at the cartoons and asking for an apology. They kicked up a fuss when they didn't get one. It became news over here, and some papers reprinted the cartoons, causing an even greater fuss. Cue riots, flames and painful death. Bravo, Saudi Arabia.
Setting the politics aside, many decent people found the cartoons offensive. Well, those people should note that the predominantly-Christian west takes the piss out of its own most popular religion, and that this is tolerated. If a Muslim draws a cartoon like that and the other Muslims decide to set him on fire as a prelude to burning in hell, fine. These Danish cartoonists shouldn't be in fear of their lives because the ultra-violent faction of the faith wants their blood.
On the other hand, if you know you're drawing something that will piss off said faction, it might have been a good idea to NOT FUCKING DRAW IT. Idiots.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go make a Flash movie where God rapes Mohammed's ass until he's bleeding freely enough to provide decent lubrication.
If I knew how to do Flash movies...
http://cagle.msnbc.msn.com/news/blog/bloggifs/Mohammed-cartoons.jpg
The cartoonists have since gone into hiding, because they don't want to be viciously slaughtered by grumpy Muslims. Or is it Moslems? I never paid much attention to anything religious other than Christianity, which I have since largely rejected. (A part of me still thinks the first pope remained full of bullshit after he rejected Christ and everything since then was for the sake of getting himself a position of power. On the other hand, that may just be an idea spawned by the behaviour of the catholic church in recent centuries.)
So, freedom of expression vs respect for religion, is it? Normally, I'd say anything's game; if someone's offended, that's their right. Don't look at anything the cartoonist ever does again, complain, even take a march and burn a flag. As long as the point is made and noone gets hurt, it's all fine and dandy.
Well, people got hurt, and killed. Definitely not dandy.
Five months ago, a Danish newspaper prints the cartoons. I understand they apologised for any offence soon after.
Fast forward to January, and a religious holiday is underway. It involves a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, where a few hundred die in stampedes every year. The news agencies over there blamed the Saudi government for poor management of the mess. As I understand it, all this is the usual routine, each and every year.
The government tried to redirect attention this year by pointing at the cartoons and asking for an apology. They kicked up a fuss when they didn't get one. It became news over here, and some papers reprinted the cartoons, causing an even greater fuss. Cue riots, flames and painful death. Bravo, Saudi Arabia.
Setting the politics aside, many decent people found the cartoons offensive. Well, those people should note that the predominantly-Christian west takes the piss out of its own most popular religion, and that this is tolerated. If a Muslim draws a cartoon like that and the other Muslims decide to set him on fire as a prelude to burning in hell, fine. These Danish cartoonists shouldn't be in fear of their lives because the ultra-violent faction of the faith wants their blood.
On the other hand, if you know you're drawing something that will piss off said faction, it might have been a good idea to NOT FUCKING DRAW IT. Idiots.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go make a Flash movie where God rapes Mohammed's ass until he's bleeding freely enough to provide decent lubrication.
If I knew how to do Flash movies...
And I agree with the nibbling on chocolate whilst viewing! Definitely a good idea!