More assaults on the First Amendment from Muslims in the U.S. “Leaders of Kansas City Muslim group petition Obama to limit free speech of American citizens,” by Patrick Poole in PJ Media, September 24:
The leadership of the Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City have launched an online petition campaign for President Obama to back a bill to limit the free speech of American citizens they deem offensive.
The petition states:
The undersigned Board Of Directors and members of the
Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City (ISGKC) urges you to sponsor a
bill that outlaws any action that may insult one’s religion. We utterly
disagree with the violence that has taken place and the death of United
States Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and other members of the
United States embassy staff in Libya. We support the apprehension and
conviction of those responsible for such acts.We understand the First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States
Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights and, as such, prohibits the
making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the
free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing
on the freedom of the press, etc., but when the allowance of “free” speech incites violence it should be banned.The film behind the violence that is occurring in part of the Muslim
world, “The Innocence of Muslims”, although it may be amateurish, its
contents are very disturbing and insulting to the religion and has
ignited an already volatile part of the world. The film is repulsive to
the sensibilities of Muslims and offends the religion of Islam in
multiple ways; by denigrating the seriousness of Islam, our Prophet and
the Muslims in general. We believe that it would be in everyone’s
interest to ban such actions from reoccurring.Actions as such should not be tolerated as they are very offensive.
The violence that has taken place as a result of this film is very
alarming. As Muslims, violence of any sort is prohibited in our
religion. Those people who are carrying out these acts cannot possibly
call themselves devout Muslims as they are acting out of pure rage and
not out of religious duties. We condemn the violence and feel
that, in spite of the First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution, action
may be necessary to pass such a bill or, at least, censure such actions
in order to calm the current situation as well as prevent future
re-occurrences.American Muslims are hard-working, law abiding, and tax paying citizens. Everyone
respects freedom of speech and the First Amendment in general, however,
when freedom of speech results in defaming and insulting others and
provokes the killing of innocent people, it should be outlawed.
In light of the recent situation, the Islamic Society of Greater Kansas
City hopes you may take up this cause and urge other representatives to
do the same. We appreciate your time and efforts.