Listen, I feel your rage on this one, and I found the cartoon thing to be totally out of proportion, but I have some close friends who are Muslims and talking to them about the issue really illuminated me on just how hurtful it is to them, even if I can't feel the pain personally.
We might not find it to be such an offense but my point is that unless the issue clearly adds something to a debate, it is not worth upsetting many people for nothing. This is a globalised world and within minutes the entire planet can read and see what is written. We no longer write to domestic audiences.
Regarding the cartoons of Israel, everyone plainly knows that the whole censorship issue is not a two-way street. Criticism of Islam is punishable by death, death threats and fatwas, but incitement to hate the West, Jews, their proxies and institutions is considered all par for the course.
Remember, we were the wicked, racist, imperialist colonisers? Kipling's "white man's burden" is now "the white man's guilty conscience". That's just the way of the world and is a wider issue than this thread. In fact, to be 'Western' means to assume the guilt for many crimes you didn't commit, and to speak arrogantly as though you have only one voice. That's pretty much what it feels like. Never mind the truth. It's a wide phenomenon and won't be solved in one single QL thread debate.
I'm just trying to address the topic of the thread and to see things from other people's perspectives, that's all. There are still human beings behind all these QL posts and protest demonstrations, and when you are face to face with them it is difficult not to have a bit of empathy with how they are feeling.
I am trying to be truthful but can't claim to be always correct :-)
Listen, I feel your rage on this one, and I found the cartoon thing to be totally out of proportion, but I have some close friends who are Muslims and talking to them about the issue really illuminated me on just how hurtful it is to them, even if I can't feel the pain personally.
We might not find it to be such an offense but my point is that unless the issue clearly adds something to a debate, it is not worth upsetting many people for nothing. This is a globalised world and within minutes the entire planet can read and see what is written. We no longer write to domestic audiences.
Regarding the cartoons of Israel, everyone plainly knows that the whole censorship issue is not a two-way street. Criticism of Islam is punishable by death, death threats and fatwas, but incitement to hate the West, Jews, their proxies and institutions is considered all par for the course.
Remember, we were the wicked, racist, imperialist colonisers? Kipling's "white man's burden" is now "the white man's guilty conscience". That's just the way of the world and is a wider issue than this thread. In fact, to be 'Western' means to assume the guilt for many crimes you didn't commit, and to speak arrogantly as though you have only one voice. That's pretty much what it feels like. Never mind the truth. It's a wide phenomenon and won't be solved in one single QL thread debate.
I'm just trying to address the topic of the thread and to see things from other people's perspectives, that's all. There are still human beings behind all these QL posts and protest demonstrations, and when you are face to face with them it is difficult not to have a bit of empathy with how they are feeling.
I am trying to be truthful but can't claim to be always correct :-)