Posted by Jim Harris on February 09, 2006 at 17:18:40:
In the clash of civilizations, I think we've finally hit on one of those things that we can't simply agree to disagree on.
Most westerners would be prepared to die to defend certain civil liberties - including the freedom of speech. Now it seems in the great "Cartoon War" that many muslims would be willing to die to force the passage of laws prohibiting free speech.
From MSNBC (Link)
“Defending the prophet should continue worldwide,” Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, told the crowd. “Let (U.S. Secretary of State) Condoleezza Rice, (President) Bush and all the tyrants shut up: We are a nation that can’t forgive, be silent or ease up when they insult our prophet and our sacred values.”
“Today, we are defending the dignity of our prophet with a word, a demonstration but let George Bush and the arrogant world know that if we have to ... we will defend our prophet with our blood, not our voices,” Nasrallah added.
...
Nasrallah said there would be no compromise before Denmark apologizes and the European Parliament and individual assemblies in Europe pass laws that prohibit insulting the Prophet.
Can there be any compromise? I'm not overly optimistic. One reporter noted that even moderate muslims are outraged and suggesting that violence is acceptable.
I don't see us easily giving up freedom of the press or freedom of speech. Looks like they aren't going to give up the absolute sacredness of the prophet.
So what are we to do?