You might think this is a fine thing. You might think that Charlie Hebdo and others who drew Muhammad were being needlessly provocative, and showing a lack of respect for the sensibilities of ordinary Muslims who will never harm anyone. You might think that there is a difference between free speech and hate speech, and that drawing Muhammad must be hate speech since it drives some Muslims into a murderous rage.
But this isn’t really about drawing Muhammad at all. No one would have cared about drawing Muhammad, and few people, if any, would have cared to do so, were it not for the fact that Islamic jihadists have put the free world on notice: if you draw Muhammad, we will kill you. That ultimatum makes the choice clear: either we submit to violent intimidation, and show the Islamic jihadists that they can get us to do what they want by means of threats and murder, or we stand up and say, No, we are not going to submit, we are going to stand for the principle of free expression that is an indispensable aspect of a free society.
Charlie Hebdo stood for free speech. Now it is surrendering, and proving yet again that violence and terrorism works — a lesson which will only ensure that we will see more violence and terrorism.
“No more Muhammad comics, says Charlie Hebdo editor Sourisseau,” DW, July 20, 2015 (thanks to Lookmann):
During an interview with the Hamburg-based news magazine “Stern,” editor of the French weekly “Charlie Hebdo” said he would no longer draw comics of the Muslim prophet Muhammad.
“We have drawn Muhammad to defend the principle that one can draw whatever they want. It is a bit strange though: we are expected to exercise a freedom of expression that no one dares to,” Sourisseau told “Stern.”
The editor said that the magazine had done what it set out to do.
“We’ve done our job. We have defended the right to caricature,” Sourisseau said.
“We still believe that we have the right to criticize all religions,” the editor said, adding that he did not want to believe that the magazine “was possessed by Islam.”
“The mistakes you could blame Islam for can be found in other religions,” Sourisseau noted.
But you have to look very, very hard, unless you’re a thoroughly blinkered and compromised Leftist.
Buraq says
What Sourisseau fails to understand is that he did draw cartoons of the self-styled prophet of Islam. That fact alone, puts him the cross hairs for life. Saying he won’t do it again won’t save his skin, if Islam has anything to do with it.
When Mohammed returned to Mecca, the first thing he did was to murder his critics from years before.
Sourisseau should draw a hundred ‘blasphemous’ cartoons of Mohammed and say that if anything happens to him these cartoons will be published immediately.
revereridesagain says
Never mind “published”. PAPERED on the walls of every mosque in France.
Roy C says
Charlie Hebdo caved right after the massacre with that preposterous follow up catrtoon – who is the prophet weeping for, the slaughtered infidels? Not in this world folks. The left loves all of those anti-Catholic and anti-Mormon plays that draw huge crowds on broadway. Liberal New Yorkers have a grand old time laughing at these absurd belief systems and that’s fine with me – free speech and all – but the most absurd of all religions gets a free pass of course. Nothing very deep here, Terrorism works just fine for Islamists. At least we could acknowledge our collective cowardice that not only rewards violence in the name of the prophet but all but guarantees more in our future. Is there anyone out there who still believes Barak Hussian Obama is a Christian?
kay says
Re: “Charlie Hebdo caved right after the massacre with that preposterous follow up – who is the prophet weeping for, the slaughtered infidels?”
They didn’t cave. They got killed. Then the remaining staff ran another Mohammed cartoon.
That was sufficient for them to say they didn’t cave following the massacre.
They have the right to cry. I did.
They put their lives on the line. You didn’t.
Concerned Citizen says
So they’ll stop Christianity type drawings, right?!
AnnaK says
No ! That will most likely get worse, compensation, they need to make money to pay the journalists who have not left.
France buckled under.( the left) They removed all adverts of a movie about a Muslim converting to Christianity but left the ones advertising a movie about a Christian converting to Islam.
Museums have removed ” offending” artwork , in Paris from a former Muslim female artist. They did all this within two weeks of putting their candles and pens down. I live in Europe and have seen it all happen .
Good news is, Marine le Pen doing VERY well, amongst the wise French people and forming a huge threat to the powers -that -be , that is entertaining to watch
Concerned Citizen says
That is unfortunate! I wasn’t aware of any of this! I definitely understand having to make money in order to get paid, but this is concerning. I’m just wondering what else is going to happen and when? Thank you so much for your response to my comment!
AnnaK says
You made a valid point CC !
Oh and excuse me if I have the wrong person,, but was it you who said in a comment that yiur husband did notunderstand you on Islam and called you ” obsessed” ?
Don’t worry, so did mine, for many years !!! He will change, mine did.!!
I told him ” you bet, because this is the worst crisis the West have ever faced in it’s entire history ! If Churchill was obsessed so can I be “!
Concerned Citizen says
Yes ma’am I am the person that posted that comment. It’s not that he’s NOT against Extremism, because his is but thinks he’s invisible. It’s like he doesn’t want to hear a lot of negative stuff from me and he rolls his eyes when I talk about ISIS. I can tell you this, he seems to be paying more attention to it now moreso than before and that makes me happy!! So there is hope for him yet!
Linde Barrera says
To AnnaK- Maybe Marine le Pen needs help from volunteers. I’m sure you know, citizens of any free country need to open their mouths and speak up for freedom, not just watch from the sidelines.
AnnaK says
Volunteers ? Sorry Linde, not sure I understand your point?
Maybe you did not understand my comment. Marine is doing well because doing well usually means mass support for a party.
She would hardly be seen as a threat otherwise, nor would documentaries be made about this support, interviewing ordinary very vocal French supporters by ” concerned” tv journalists
I am myself not French nor do I live in France
I can speak several languages and follow what I can within other EU member states.But here in Europe we also obviously get to hear a lot of details MSM do not report through our own alternative media.
Rather as in America ?
Now for more people of the ( for now) free West to stand up and leave the “sidelines” ?
Theodoric says
Scholars Are Asking:
Was The “Prophet” Muhammad Actually A DINOSAUR?
https://drawthevileprophet.wordpress.com/2015/05/09/scholars-are-asking-was-the-prophet-muhammad-actually-a-dinosaur/
Stephanie says
‘… severest punishment from Allah will be the PICTURE MAKERS.’
–Bukhari 3.34.428 & 7.72.834
https://twitter.com/schnellmann_org/status/596983891505913858
Mo says
I wonder if they will stop cartoons regarding Christianity?
““The mistakes you could blame Islam for can be found in other religions,” Sourisseau noted.”
I am so SICK of hearing this lie repeated over and over and over and OVER!
I tried to find contact info to tell them what cowards they are, but I couldn’t. I can’t read French anyway.
Truthseeker says
They gave up to the whole humanity, to freedom and democratie, they signed the dhimitude contract with mom followers. Europe and the west is kowardly kneeling to the supreme moon-god of el kaaba, soo sad, and heartbreaking…
umbra says
They are indeed cowards. CH went the way of french forces in ww2 which folded within the first year of conflict. French forces only managed to hold out around a couple of weeks longer than Polish forces in their respective campaigns in ww2. Bearing in mind that Poland was fighting alone on two fronts, against the wehrmacht and the red army, while the French had direct British support (BEF).
ECAW says
Have you ever lived under the threat of assassination, 24 hours a day for years? What’s it like?
umbra says
No. One imagines it would be like holding the line with hidden snipers everywhere.
astuga says
Look, there is nothing wrong in being a coward, or just fear for your life,
The problem starts if one is a coward and a self righteous prick.
revereridesagain says
Christians and other religionists who have learned the lesson of tolerance of the non-belief of others should be proud of having done so and STOP WHINING.
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
One defeat after another. Or, more properly put, one limp white flag waving flinch job after another. There are so many ways to give up, to cower, to lose. There are perhaps more ways to do that than there are ways to kill. Terror works. The Holy Prophet knew that, so did Allah. Why fix an unbroken clock?
Theodoric says
“No, we are not going to submit, we are going to stand for the principle of free expression that is an indispensable aspect of a free society!”
I’ll drink to that!
https://drawthevileprophet.wordpress.com/2015/05/07/preserve-freedom-of-speech-draw-the-vile-prophet-muhammad/
Stephanie says
Islamic scholar, PhD (in Islamic ‘studies’) & FRENCH PM Manuel Valls,
1:20 “… Die AUSBILDUNG(z.B. im korrekten Frauen SCHLAGEN Q4:34) ist ein Schlüssel—wenn nicht DER Schlüssel zu einem FRANZÖSISCHEN(?) Islam”
… The EDUCATION (e.g. in correct wife BEATING 4:34) is a key—if not THE key to a FRENCH(?) Islam
http://info.arte.tv/de/der-islam-auf-der-suche-nach-predigern
“Der Islam sucht Prediger” (‘BEST of creatures’ 3:110)
Islam is looking for imams
(by the way, NO legal protection—everyone can call himself an Imam)
voegelinian says
Wow, I didn’t know that the Prime Minister of France is also an academic scholar of Islamic studies. Apparently he has learned the PC MC paradigm well — the paradigm that enables a person to think such preposterous thoughts as that the toxins of Islam can be domesticated and assimilated into the bloodstream, nerves and sinews of a Western Body Politic.
Westman says
Somehow this reminds me of Ross Perot running for POTUS and then after all the money and volunteer efforts of others was spent, he capitulates to the party.
Charlie Hebdo has done a Perot, wasting the blood and sacrifice of others who died to maintain freedom of speech in France.
I once had respect for France whose Gen. Lafayette taught Gen. Washington how to be a General and spent $200,000 of his own money to support the American Colonies in the Revolution.
That France is fading into the background of false Arab Supremacy like a child that witnessed violence and hides.
I remember when “Frank” meant speaking or writing in a very direct and honest way.
Jack Holan says
Actually the House of Saudi may in a sense be committing blasphemy. Since no one has a true depiction of what Mohammed looked like and the Royals are supposed to be the true blood line of Mohammed some may genetically resemble him enough to be a brother. Each time they have a photograph taken, appear on a video or TV, or commission a picture to be drawn; they are guilty of blasphemy! Furthermore, because we don’t know which Royal has the likeness of Mohammed then they are ALL guilty of blasphemy. What is the penalty for Blasphemy in Saudi Arabia? Is it beheading, hanging or stoning?
On the other hand, counter-intuitive to this the the one who would murder someone honoring the prophet by bringing for the glory of his alleged image would himself need to suffer the same fate. But I don’t think (key word) that any of this is following logic.
revereridesagain says
Mohammad probably never existed in the first place. See Robert’s excellent book on the subject. Other than that, good point!
Jaladhi says
While I won’t criticize Charlie Hebdo for their decision, after all its their neck on the line, but that is how Muslims operate to threaten and kill to prevent the truth about them coming out. But our dumb media should know the truth about them from their actions and their history. They are doing what they have been doing for last 1400 years.
Well if we don’t learn anything from their history and still allow them to come here then we deserve what is coing to us!!
ECAW says
Fortunately, others have taken up the baton – Spencer and Geller in Garland, Wilders in Holland and soon Sharia Watch/Liberty GB/Vive Charlie in London:
http://libertygb.org.uk/v1/index.php/news-libertygb/6819-liberty-gb-to-work-with-sharia-watch-on-draw-muhammad-exhibition
Will it be allowed to go ahead though? Cameron is going to have to show his even handedness after making noises about something called Islamist Extremism today.
I can’t draw but how about this for a cartoon – Mohammed sitting in his cave with his eyes closed. There are three thought bubbles coming out of his head with respectively the words “Allah”, “Koran” and “Islam” in them. The caption says “Who says Muslims never invented anything?”
Jack Holan says
EVEN HANDEDNESS? He just allowed NAZIS from all over Europe to enter the UK for Fest but barred Robert and Pamela at the Gate.
ECAW says
You didn’t notice the ironic tone then?
Westman says
Such an invention…
What was that saying, oh yes, “A Mind is a Terrible Thing To Waste”, also once paraphrased as, “…what a waste it is to lose one’s mind, or not to have a mind is being very wasteful, how true that is.”
It is amazing that both quotes fit Orthodox Islam.
ECAW says
“Cameron is going to have to show his even handedness after making noises about something called Islamist Extremism today.”
Baby steps from Cameron today, but steps in the right direction:
“In perhaps his most challenging passage, Cameron said Britain had to stop pretending there was “no link between extremism and Islam because the extremists are self-identifying as Muslims.
“The fact is that from Woolwich to Tunisia, from Ottawa to Bali, these murderers all spout the same twisted narrative, one that claims to be based on a particular faith. It is an exercise in futility to deny that and, more than that, can be dangerous.”
He continued: “To deny it has anything to do with Islam means you disempower the critical reforming voices – the voices that are challenging the fusing of religion and politics, that want to challenge the scriptural basis which extremists ”
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/20/uk-parents-power-cancel-childrens-passports-isis-fears
The downside of this is that I may have to change my home page picture (idle bleeder that I am):
http://www.ecawblog.wordpress.com
voegelinian says
“To deny it has anything to do with Islam means you disempower the critical reforming voices – the voices that are challenging the fusing of religion and politics, that want to challenge the scriptural basis which extremists ”
COL (Cry Out Loud). The pretzel contortions these PC MCs work themselves into, as they flexibly adjust their limbs into surreal taffy distortions in order to perpetuate their Denial in the face of a growing mountain of evidence.
kay says
Thanks for the link.
Will promote. Glad I read these comments.
From the website:
Why would you arrange a Mohammed cartoon exhibition?
Because I am Spartacus and it’s an ‘I am Spartacus’ moment. Those of who believe in free speech, democracy, and Western civilisation have simply got to stand up now; both to Islamists who seek to impose their religion on to our world, and to the government and media who refuse to effectively oppose them. The greatest threat to our democracy is this casual refusal to clearly state the importance of our speech, and the greatest threat to our speech is sadly coming from Islam. We have to stop expecting someone else to take the risk of standing up to the world’s bullies, we all have a duty now.
Bob Smith says
Islam is nothing more than numbers gone bad.
When Muslims represent only 10% of the French population, they have effectively now shut off all criticism or Islam.
Imaging what happens as the Muslim population grows to 20%, 30%,40% …
My thesis “Islam is Fear” documents this process. Read it at: http://islamsfatalflaw.blogspot.com/
Evolution says
10% is way too much.
Never forget the battle of Tours.
Dan says
And this is how it will continue to go, when INDIVIDUALS don’t have the right to protect themselves.
Everything is always nice and sweet and hunky dory with the sheep, until the wolves show up.
An interesting read by the way, “How Mother Nature is trying to Kill You.” seems to show how liberals think.
Sheep don’t flock up under some “United we’re stronger” mentality. They do so to increase the chance SOMEBODY ELSE gets eaten, as demonstrated in experiments where they even run TOWARD danger to get into the flock, instead of running away from it.
Not having the ability to protect even themselves, means liberals can’t protect others, so their best bet is to flock up and hope someone else is carved out by the wolves.
Angemon says
The thing is, Mr. Sourisseau, many of these so-called “mistakes” are taken as virtues in islam. Slavery? Check. Abusing women? Check. Child marriage? Check. Suppression of free thinking? Check. Unhygienic practices? Check. Might makes right? Check.
Angemon says
Also, I genuinely expect that they’re not going back on their decision under the illusion that they’ll no longer be deemed as targets. Whatever self-protection measures they’re taking now, they better keep them.
Peter Buckley says
Are people not aware of this?
http://www.geertwilders.nl/index.php/94-english/1946-geert-wilders-at-mohammed-cartoon-exhibition-in-london
revereridesagain says
This is a very sad turn of events and makes me appreciate Robert, Pam, Bosch, Geert and all the brave members of AFDI and everyone else still putting it on the line to fight this evil all the more.
Kepha says
Gee. Now I know how to get respect from the Left. Is there some Christian in France ready to behead the surviving Charlie Hebdo staff for its gratuitous blasphemies against Christ? [Sarc] Something tells me that those verses about seeking peace as much as it is up to us or leaving room for the vengeance of God are there in the French versions of the Bible just as they are there in the Greek, English, and Chinese [perhaps a peek into the Version Synodale].
j_not_a says
You know what, on some forum the other day (can’t remember which) a poster said something that made a good point –
Muslims go all apesh@t (my term) over cartoons and depictions of Mohammed but they have no problems naming their boys Mohammed and take pictures of them,
But whoever accused these inbred looney tunes of possessing any logical though processes…….
John Magne Trane says
They actually have rules for what children ought to be called. That’s some law religion for you. Here is one lengthy rambling on the matter: http://www.islamcan.com/names/names-that-are-preferred-and-that-are-undesirable..shtml#.Va3zsMsw_cs
“Those names must not be given to the child, that affect his personality or become a cause of ridicule.” So if one only continues to mock those who have the same name as a pedophile and mass murderer, the Moslems may stop branding their children in such a heartless manner.
Here’s another site: http://www.zawaj.com/articles/names_prohibited.html Kinda superfluous to list Donkey, isn’t it?
gravenimage says
j_not_a, great to see you posting again! Hope you are well.
gravenimage says
Charlie Hebdo surrenders, will no longer draw Muhammad
……………………….
Je Suis…! Ah, never mind…
More:
“The mistakes you could blame Islam for can be found in other religions,” Sourisseau noted.
……………………….
Witless Tu Quoque. Also, were this true, why wouldn’t Charlie Hebdo be scrambling to assure everyone that they wouldn’t be drawing Jesus or Moses or Shiva any more?
Because, of course, the threat only comes from Islam.
I can understand CH folding—they have paid a terrible price defending freedom of speech. But for Sourisseau’s parting shot to be apologia for savage Islam, and vicious calumny for other faiths, is just disgusting.
Loach says
All other religions are up for drawing but not Islam. Pity so much for freedom of speech .
epistemology says
Oh no, this is unconditional surrender of free speech. I can’t fathom it, it’s a Frenchman who says that. The French have a century long caricature tradition, cartoons are part of their culture just like celebrating good meals.
This Sourisseau is a bloody cultural relativist, Islam is a totalitarian ideology first and foremost, you don’t find any of its mistakes in other religions. Islam in itself is a mistake
Matthieu Baudin says
It may have been more dignified just to close down the publication entirely.
Perhaps it’s time to consider closing down radical Jihad publications together with some of the more rabid Mosques?
Bandit 4 says
I have fought and will continue to stand against the islamic extremism hurting this world. I have fought in the Middle East and Somalia. I will go to my grave defending freedom…that said, you wrote;
“But this isn’t really about drawing Muhammad at all. No one would have cared about drawing Muhammad, and few people, if any, would have cared to do so, were it not for the fact that Islamic jihadists have put the free world on notice: if you draw Muhammad, we will kill you…”
Actually, you helped the extremists by doing what they wanted in the first place…for people to draw Muhammad and inflame moderate muslim sensibilities…but you didn’t see it that way. You say the choice was clear…to prove you can? Antagonistic…but a great way for YOU to get YOUR face in the public eye so you can make some money. Be honest…any pragmatic American already knows “they can”…
Go burn a flag Robert Spencer…it’s just free speech. Right? You fuel the fire and DO NOTHING TO ACTUALLY FIGHT IT. You’re selfish….
There’s something for you to respond to.
ECAW says
Free speech – use it or lose it!
———————————————————————————————————–
It is absurd to suggest that Robert Sencer is doing this for publicity or money. Neither will be any use to him if the jihadis get their way.
gravenimage says
The witless “Bandit 4” wrote:
Actually, you helped the extremists by doing what they wanted in the first place…for people to draw Muhammad and inflame moderate muslim sensibilities…but you didn’t see it that way.
…………………………………..
Who cares if moderate Muslims are “inflamed”? Why would this be any different from civilized Jews or Christians or anyone else having their sensibilities hurt? Certainly, many people have had their feelings hurt by outrageous publications like Charlie Hebdo. What do they do? Maybe cancel their subscriptions or write a pithy letter to the editor.
But if such “moderate” Muslims respond with violence, then they were not “moderate” to begin with.
Why should Muslim “sensibilities” be protected? That isn’t true for any other group in a free society.
Moreover, the idea that “extremists” want Infidels to violate Shari’ah law is pretty questionable—what they want to do is enforce it.
Because that is exactly what the ban on depicting the “Prophet” is—Shari’ah law. What you are positing is adhering to Shari’ah law.
How can you believe that the imposition of brutal Shari’ah law would be a good thing for the free West?
More:
You say the choice was clear…to prove you can? Antagonistic…but a great way for YOU to get YOUR face in the public eye so you can make some money. Be honest…any pragmatic American already knows “they can”…
…………………………………..
Why would people give Robert Spencer any money for this unless they *believed in freedom of speech*? This makes no sense.
Robert Spencer and Pamela Geller were willing to put their lives on the line to protect freedom of speech—something that “Bandit 4” excoriates them for.
As for the idea that everyone knows that they have the freedom to oppose Shari’ah, that’s pretty questionable—certainly, the editor of Charlie Hebdo no longer believes he has this freedom.
France has a tradition of freedom of speech—but it can be lost. Why would it be any different in America, especially with dhimmi tools such as “Bandit 4” angrily telling them they should not dare exorcize it?
More:
Go burn a flag Robert Spencer…it’s just free speech. Right? You fuel the fire and DO NOTHING TO ACTUALLY FIGHT IT. You’re selfish….
There’s something for you to respond to.
…………………………………..
Firstly, Robert Spencer supports freedom of expression—including expression he does not agree with.
Further, though, the idea that daring to draw the “Prophet” is un-American as is burning the flag is *insane*. What is American about refraining from criticizing a warlord, pedophile, caravan-raider, rapist, slaver, and mass-murderer?
“Bandit 4” pretends that drawing the “Prophet” is gratuitous, but it *is not*. Virtually all depictions of Muhammed at the cartoon art show were *critical* of this baleful figure. People all over the world are suffering because of the repellant model of the “Prophet”, but he would have us believe that we should not offer any criticism lest we “inflame moderate Muslims”.
Here is one of my Muhammed drawings—which was part of the show in Garland—where I criticize the horrifying rape of little Aisha:
http://s478.photobucket.com/user/gravenimageartist/media/AishasWedding-1.jpg.htmlhttp://s478.photobucket.com/user/gravenimageartist/media/AishasWedding-1.jpg.html
“Bandit 4” would, along with his Jihadist allies, tell us that we dare not criticize such atrocities. I reject such strictures, and stand with others who reject them as well.
Linde Barrera says
To gravenimage- Good afternoon to you, dear lady. My nephew is back with his caregiver, so I have more free time now to catch up and think. I tried to access the photo bucket link, but I got a message that said requested page is not available. (My Firefox crashed too, and I had to report it.) I hate to bother you, but is there any other way I can access your drawings? Thank you in advance if you can assist. Take care.
gravenimage says
Oops—that’s because I posted the link twice, Linde. Here it is:
http://s478.photobucket.com/user/gravenimageartist/media/AishasWedding-1.jpg.html
Hope your nephew is well. My husband and I have been dealing with taking care of his mom recently, as well. I haven’t had as much time for JW lately.
Linde Barrera says
To Bandit 4- If you will go to your grave fighting for freedom, as per your 8:49 am July 21 post, THEN I conclude you would also support cartoons drawn of the so-called prophet Muhammed, no matter how he is depicted, because that is freedom of speech, regardless of whether you or anyone likes or approves of the cartoon. You also referenced: “…inflaming moderate Muslim sensibilities”. There is no such thing as “moderate Muslim sensibilities”. Your post is confusing.
Angemon says
Bandit 4 posted:
“Actually, you helped the extremists by doing what they wanted in the first place…for people to draw Muhammad and inflame moderate muslim sensibilities…”
If they were “moderate” they wouldn’t be inflamed, would they?
“Go burn a flag Robert Spencer…it’s just free speech. Right?”
It is. There are muslims in America burning the American and Israeli flags, muslims in the UK burning the British, American and Israeli flags, muslims in France burning the French, American and Israeli flags, and they’re not prosecuted because it falls under free speech. In fact, IIRC, around 5-10 years ago, Americans opposed the outlawing of flag burning.
“You fuel the fire and DO NOTHING TO ACTUALLY FIGHT IT.”
Nonsense. Whatever fire is burning was already burning before the Garland exhibit. The only difference is that before it was burning below the surface, where people could pretend it didn’t exist. You can’t fight a fire if you don’t admit there’s a fire burning.
moneekwa says
I guess it is sad that this is how it is, but if they will still criticize other religions, but not mohammedanism (and do they foolishly think that makes them safe? too late for that!) then they have submitted to mohammedanism.
Molly Norris totally apologized and everything but she had to go into hiding, so for sure they are never ever safe, and it would not surprise me if this capitulation leads to any additional attacks on CH.
All I can say about this then, is “Je ne suis pas Charlie”
gravenimage says
Je étais Charlie
(I was Charlie)