What a mess this whole situation is... I don't know which is more rediculous, the violent reaction of Muslims around the world, or the fact that web sites and news papers continue to publish these cartoons, "in the interest of free speech". Hey, I'm all for free speech, but just because you can say something doesn't mean you should. I would think that after seeing the negative reaction (major understatement) from the Muslim world, most descent people would refrain from further insulting these people. I honestly can't understand the outrage over a simple cartoon, but then I'm not Muslim.
Now this brings to question how people who have repeated defaced effigies of the western world, both political and religious, can react so vehemently to a caricature of one of their own. I wonder how many times I've seen footage on TV of Muslims burning American flags, or carrying crosses with Jesus crucified upside down. Muslims around the world would have us believe that Islam is a religion of peace loving, forgiving people, but I'm afraid I just don't see that in the current global temperament. I certainly haven't seen any Christians beheading Muslim peace activists!
Regardless of the true temperament of the followers of Islam, I honestly don't think that people of conscience... no matter their religious affiliations... should continue to antagonize Muslims around the world by repeatedly publishing these cartoons. Just because a BB gun would not cause any lasting damage to a full grown lion, I wouldn't recommend that anyone stand out on the savanna and repeatedly shoot at the passing lions... they just might become annoyed enough to do something about it.
