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Cinnamon Stillwell provides a useful overview of the cartoon controversy in the San Francisco Gate, and concludes:
Today's apologists condemn the Danish cartoons, while ignoring real offenses from the Muslim world. Somehow Muslims inciting hatred toward other religions on a regular basis has become acceptable, while honest analysis of Islam has not. The daily eruptions of anti-Semitic and anti-American sentiment from the Muslim world are hardly pleasant for those on the receiving end. But instead of stifling speech, opponents challenge such expression on the intellectual and political battlefields. Yet some would have us turn a blind eye instead.How did this double standard arise? The answer is multiculturalism. Not the multiculturalism of different cultures living side by side, but the ideology that renders all cultures equal and therefore none worthy of condemnation. Such moral equivalence allows for the most backward traditions to flourish, even when they are destructive to the society as a whole. When democratic societies find themselves dominated by intolerant cultures to which they have given sanctuary, everyone's freedom is put at risk.
Multiculturalism also has the effect of erasing any unifying culture or nationality in favor of a collection of balkanized groups with nothing in common. In such an environment, integration is forsaken and culture clashes are sure to follow. The Muslim riots in France last year were a prime example. Many a reporter chalked it up to the lack of integration in French society, but few followed that line of thought to its logical conclusion and named multiculturalism as the root cause.
Political correctness is another of multiculturalism's destructive offshoots, and there are certainly those in the West who would shield Muslim populations from legitimate criticism. But they are actually doing more harm than good. Much-needed reform will never be possible until Muslims learn to withstand examination like everyone else. Islam should be subjected to all the scholarly interpretation, self-reflection, humor and even insult that Western religions experience.
Beyond economic need, one of the reasons many Muslims immigrated to Western countries in the first place was to enjoy the sort of freedom denied to them in their native lands. Turning the West into Afghanistan under the Taliban will help no one. While Islam may enjoy equality with other religions, supremacy is another matter. If we are to truly integrate Muslims into our societies, it must be on an equal footing.
One of the most important and hard-won rights in the West is free speech. When free speech is chipped away in the name of avoiding offense, all else is soon forfeit. Western countries will have to decide where to draw the line -- or find themselves overtaken by tyranny.
With the controversy over the Muhammad cartoons, Europe seems to be awakening to this struggle. Will we follow?
Posted by Robert at February 9, 2006 6:37 AM
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The more our media and politicians in North America try to suppress this and try to make excuses for those who create terror and mayhem and theaten us and our families, the more ticked off people are becoming. Ordinary citizens will not tolerate death threats from Muslim fanatics. We need to use this opportunity, with the mainstream media's spotlight now on Islam, to educate the non-Muslim public about Islamic ideology. Write letters to your journalists and give them links where they can learn about Islam and Islamic atrocity throughout the world.
Posted by: Archimedes![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 9, 2006 6:58 AM
The Danes are showing a remarkable resolve, considering their almost invisible presence on the world scene.
Why is it that tiny countries such as Israel and Denmark seem to have more resolve and courage than the rest of the world put together? All free nations should take note.
Posted by: Dead Infidel Walking at February 9, 2006 7:05 AM
more dhimmitude in the uk
UK magazine wont run the cartoons because the British police wont give them protection
so, a UK magazine is afraid of violence, asks the cops about this, the the police wash their hands of it.
unbelievable.
at February 9, 2006 7:32 AM
l was sickened to hear the apologist newly elected cdn govern. official giving the official appology to muslims, but then meekly said destroying property and taking lives a no non.. oh well..
Posted by: Lulu at February 9, 2006 7:36 AM
Dead Infidel, I dont want to brag or anything, but Denmark has always been one of the biggest supporters of freedom, democracy and basic human rights. There are very few countries in the world that has the same degree of freedom of expression that we have (for example, both the US and UK have very restrictive rules for what can be shown on television compared to here).
We are one of the countries where you can say, draw or write just about anything, including insults against a religion or denial of the holocaust. And its very deeply ingrained in our society that even though we dont always like the things someone is saying, its better to let them say it and then argue against it than it is to censor it.
We are always at the frontlines when there is a need to fight for these things. Sure, we dont have a huge army or a bunch of carriers full of modern airplanes that can be used to bomb the dictators that get out of line. But we always support the cause in any way we can through diplomatic and economic means. We are also the country that has the highest number of soldiers serving with the UN peacekeeping forces when you compare it to our population size.
The terrorists will NEVER succeed in this attempt to have our laws changed, no matter how much pressure they apply. This is just as holy to us as their pedophile prophet is to them.
But unfortunatly they have partially succeeded in threathning many people into a self-censorship. In an ideal world we should all be wearing t-shirts with the those drawings to show that we support the freedom of expression or have bumper stickers on our car with them, but its simply too dangerous.
Posted by: ExpatriateDK at February 9, 2006 7:37 AM
ExpatDK - how is Mr Rasmussens poll ratings over this? up/down? and what about the Danish Peoples Party? more /less support?
i'm just trying to get a feeling for how this is changing the political landscape in denmark, as the BBC is just not reporting on this aspect.
at February 9, 2006 7:45 AM
To Dead Infidel
Good question. Im PROUD to be a dane these days - the danish people join hands these days as I have never witnessed it before.
I think something like this happened (on a much more profound scale) when we were occupied by the nazis. The parallel is not entirely out of proportion because I think most of the danes feel that something extremely precious to them are under attack from forces of extremity and totalitarianism.
And everyone suddenly feels a lot of sympathy with the Israelis which is remarkable given Denmarks usual strong support for the Palestinians.
Many domestic issues have changed because of this - now WE think it would be OK to bomb Al Jazeera (they are so incredibly manipulating and biased - we only see that now!) - symphaty for the US is also on the rise (after the administration started to support us of course!)
So this is an EYE-opener for the danish people and it will affect our domestic and international agenda from now on. We can be extremely stubborn sometimes - and no matter how much they boycut us we will never apologize for being free!
By the way - the buy danish campaign is really starting to help the danish economy according to several danish newspapers today... Im humbled by this strong solidarity from our friends in the freedom loving nations.
at February 9, 2006 7:46 AM
I look down on graffiti vandals but I'll make an exception here.
I beleive the black cartoon was removed soon after this photo was taken but the rest of the graffiti was left untouched.
at February 9, 2006 8:02 AM
"ExpatDK - how is Mr Rasmussens poll ratings over this? up/down? and what about the Danish Peoples Party? more /less support?"
Both are going upwards. The vast majority supports the stance he has taken on this and are against any kind of excuse. In fact, the only thing I have seen that might possibly cost him votes was the 30 minute interview that was made for the arab media where he acted very humble and although he didnt apologize it was clear that he tried to gain their sympathy by making a semi-apology. That seemed kind of like he was giving into their demands it was not nice to see our PM being forced to play humble in order to appease these primitive people.
But he is doing very well in the polls here and the trend is that his numbers are rising even as the conflict increases.
DPP is also gaining a lot in the polls, which is not surprising since they have the unique position as THE party to go to if you want to fight islam.
Posted by: ExpatriateDK at February 9, 2006 8:04 AM
"By the way - the buy danish campaign is really starting to help the danish economy according to several danish newspapers today... Im humbled by this strong solidarity from our friends in the freedom loving nations."
Yes, I read this too. I was really surprised and happy to see that this campaign had such a big effect. Some economists are already saying that it looks like the Buy Danish campaign may be able to increase our exports or at the very least make up for lost exports to the middleeast.
Lets hope people get a taste for all those danish things they are buying so they will keep doing it even all this calms down. Because the middleeast is going to be a lost market for many years from now on.
Posted by: ExpatriateDK at February 9, 2006 8:07 AM
Archduke,
According to a recent survey, if there was an election today, the government would remain almost untouched. I think the PM's party lost some 0.5 percentage points at most. On the other hand the Danish Peoples Party is up by some 3-4 percentage points so far.
All in all, it's a win for the government and its supporters.
at February 9, 2006 8:16 AM
Coming from a country that endured 48 years of a right-wing dictatorship, I find the growth of the extreme-right in Europe somewhat disturbing, despite having written that I expected this to happen at least three years ago.
I don't really blame the people, but I do blame the politicians and their lack of courage for not doing their job properly.
Having said the above, from what I know, the Danske Frei Partei is relatively mild. In these days, I am not even sure if I would label them "extreme-right" or simply "conservative".
I already signed the online petition to support Denmark, and from what I have seen EVERYONE in my country supports Denmark... with the exception of the extreme-left and some traitors earning arab-money (the so-called president of the Portuguese-Arab trade league - whatever the hell that means - showed his treacherous colours just a couple of days ago in a televised debate). Money flows, but shame and treason are everlasting.
These days we are all Danes. I would even try one of your cheeses to show support, but unfortunately I can't find any in our supermarkets. I guess my nephews are getting a new Lego instead. Cheers!
Posted by: cruzado at February 9, 2006 8:36 AM
cruzado -> the reason why people are turning to the far right is because the European left is pandering to Islam.
so we are in a ridiculous situation where European socialists (who traditionally champion workers rights, the poor etc) are in collaboration with an Islamist ideology funded by rich Saudi princes.
this conflict is making people turn to the , relatively untainted (and to be frank, brutally honest) far right.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is one prime example of a left-winger who has broken the mould and spoke up against islam, but she is but a solitary voice in a vast sea of dhimmitude amongst the left in Europe.
its a crazy situation.
at February 9, 2006 9:21 AM
To my Danish compatriots here, I hope you took no offense at saying you were invisible on the world scene; I meant that Denmark usually isnt quoted as being in the forefront of such fights, and your courage makes that a travesty.
I am half-Danish on my fathers side (last name Carlson) so I do have some small pride in one of my ancestral homes, you people are doing a fine job.
Sadly, I dont like Tuborg beer...can you recommend another brand?
Posted by: Dead Infidel Walking at February 9, 2006 10:30 AM
I've been drinking Elephant Beer, technically a malt liquor. 7.5% alcohol, IIRC. A couple of those and two bowls of chili made for a very interesting day after the Super Bowl.
Posted by: longtime lurker at February 9, 2006 10:36 AM
Carlsberg and Tuborg are the two big danish beer brands, both brewed by Carlsberg and both very similar in taste. So if you dont like Tuborg, then Carlsberg is propably not your thing either. But both labels contain a multitude of minor variants that taste very differently from the main ones, so there should be something that you like. Only question is whether its available where you live, which I cant possible say.
I dont really know what other danish beer brands might be available outside Denmark. Possibly some of the beers made by Faxe or Ceres, maybe something like Royal Export which is a strong beer at 6.4%.
Posted by: ExpatriateDK at February 9, 2006 12:42 PM
To the Danes:
I've been glad to do my part. I bought several six-packs of Carlsberg beer, and many packages of cheese. I've been enouraging the same of friends and families. And, I will continue to do so.
It seems future elections in Europe as a whole might have a big right-wing surprise. A friend of mine is French, and married to and American wife. He had not been back to France for a few years. They visited S. France for 3 weeks over the holidays (before the current turmoil). His family, neighbors, old friends and old army buddies, ALL are despondent over the situation in France. They told him that "France is lost". However, ALL the same family, friends, and neighbors, told him confidentially, that they are ALL voting far right in the next elections. Even those people who used to identify themselves as of the left.
Posted by: elcordobes at February 9, 2006 3:45 PM
As a famous Dane asked:
"To be or not to be?"
That is the question.
Denmark says "To be!"
And the free world has to join in that chorus of survival, saying:
I, too, am a Dane!
More impious cartoons of the pedophile!
More reading of the revolting intolerance in the Koran!
More understanding of the disgusting example of Mohammad in the Hadiths!
"A tale told by an idiot, signifying nothing."
Off to build a replica of the Ka'aba out of black Legos.
And try to get a picture of it published in the NY Times!
Posted by: profitsbeard at February 10, 2006 12:05 AM
I read a good article about political correctness. Really it is Cultural Marxism with a different name. Just as Marxists who see history and all conflicts as between two parties the proletariat and the borgousie(sorry for spelling). Cultural marxism takes this and puts it into a cultural context. History is about those with power and those who are victims. As Dennis Prager says leftists dont hate evil they hate inequality. The cultural marxists see successful nations as evil because they have power and unsuccessful ones as being victims. Their ideology is absolute and that is why there is such insanity in their world view. All conflicts have to follow these rules. And conflicts that dont fit this rule are ignored. That is why the slaughter in Rwanda was ignored or the suffering of blacks in the Sudan. Meanwhile the victimhood of the Serbs was seen the other way around. It must be the Serbs who are the aggressors because they are Christian and the Bosnians Victims because they are Muslim.
Posted by: pissedoffcanadian at February 10, 2006 1:47 AM
Profitsbeard
I played with legos as a kid, and now, bought some for my kid. Please spare us. Why would anyone want to use legos to build the Ka'aba, of all things?
Posted by: Infidel Pride at February 10, 2006 2:41 AM
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