George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury, once had a spine, but he has traded it for a zunnar.
From the Islamic Society of North America website, with thanks to Prisdon:
Imam Feisal and former Archbishop Lord Carey Call for Calm after Offensive Danish Cartoons
(New York., 02/03/06) – A prominent New York City Imam and Chairman of the multi-faith Cordoba Initiative, Feisal Abdul Rauf today spoke for the need for calm amidst the turbulence that has resulted from the publishing of offensive cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Danish newspapers, and their subsequent republishing in the French, German, Italian, and Spanish press.
In their joint statement Lord Carey of Clifton, former Archbishop of Canterbury, and Imam Feisal said: In our capacity as Muslim and Christian leaders committed to bridging the divides that separate our communities, and as members of the C-100 Coalition of the World Economic Forum, we are saddened and appalled by the cartoons, and the irresponsible actions of papers in Denmark in publishing them. Moreover, we view their subsequent republishing in various other European newspapers as gratuitous and insensitive.
While we recognize the importance of free speech and agree that religions should not be privileged in this regard, the publishing of such insulting cartoons is expectedly being seen by many around the world as an affront to a world faith.
How’s that again? We agree that religions should not be privileged in this regard, but the cartoons should not have been published and republished? I do not claim to be able to plumb the mysteries of the mind of such an august prelate, but it does seem to me that he is playing both ends against the middle there. Lord Carey, you can’t have it both ways. Either we all have to put up with things that offend us as part of the price of living in a society that protects free speech, free expression, and freedom of conscience, or we don’t protect those freedoms.