Tuesday, February 07, 2006

@&%#%%&!

Wow. It used to be that cartoons made you laugh most of the time. Aside from the Doonesbury types who seem profoundly cynical AND negative, as opposed to just one of the two, most cartoons and comics are designed to make the reader chuckle. And most cartoonists used the characters at the top to express cursing and frustration. Given that knowledge, it appears that the Danish press missed the memo that their Muslim readers don't have much of a sense of humor. At least when Mohammed is the target of the humor.

I'm sure you have seen the stories about the rioting, killing and street protests across Europe and the Middle East since the cartoons were reprinted. Several things strike me here. First, the cartoons were in poor taste. Not that taste has been at its zenith lately, but they were unnecessary. Second, this kind of "art" has been done to Christians and Jews for some time. A crucifix in a jar of urine passed for art in New York last decade. Jews are frequently depicted in a very negative manner in the US, European and Arab press. Third, what is it about insulting their prophet that makes Muslims want to riot? I still do not understand their religion.

There was no reason for these cartoons to be reprinted. But Muslims need to realize that in the this era, nothing is sacred. Especially a religion. Welcome to the Post-Modern world.

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