Mo and Al

How ironic is it that just as everyone joins forces in the fight for freedom of speech from Islamic restrictions, I am simply not in the mood to say anything?

As they sometimes say, "I ain't got nuthin'."

Well, I'm pressed for time as it is anyway. I think that I'll show my solidarity by posting this popular image of Mohammed or, as I prefer to call him, Mo, and provide some linkage.

Not knowing that the images were available -- I looked for them when I first heard about this awhile back and came up empty -- I got the idea of posting this image from Bothenook. Hmmm. And I just noticed that he calls Mohammed "Moe".

Bruno T. Raymundo links to a pro-Denmark internet campaign. Their banner features a Danish flag, but I prefer to post an image of Mo. He also provides a link to an illustrated Wikipedia article about the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy. I found a link to the individual cartoons here.

I discussed this yesterday, and there is more information at Michelle Malkin's blog (which also recalls the Piglet controversy) and, in the only bad news so far, Riding Sun reports a French surrender.

If this keeps up, I may consider permanently posting an image of Mo (or maybe Al?) on my blog.

Bothenook ends his piece saying something I was also inclined to ask: "[A]ren't there more important things in this world to get your knickers knotted up over?" To which I can add only, "Oh! That's what they go around wearing on their heads."

-- CAV

Updates

Today: Well, first we deported Elian Gonzalez, and now our State Department sides with the medieval savages. Our nation needs to remember why it was founded....

Washington on Friday condemned caricatures in European newspapers of the Prophet Mohammad, siding with Muslims who are outraged that the publications put press freedom over respect for religion.

By inserting itself into a dispute that has become a lightning rod for anti-European sentiment across the Muslim world, the United States could help its own battered image among Muslims.

"These cartoons are indeed offensive to the belief of Muslims," State Department spokesman Kurtis Cooper said in answer to a question. "We all fully recognize and respect freedom of the press and expression but it must be coupled with press responsibility. Inciting religious or ethnic hatreds in this manner is not acceptable."

"We call for tolerance and respect for all communities for their religious beliefs and practices," he added.

Major U.S. publications have not republished the cartoons, which include depictions of Mohammad as a terrorist. That is in contrast to European media, which responded to the criticism against the original Danish newspaper that printed the caricatures by republishing the offensive images themselves.

(1) You do not help "help your image" when making concessions to savages. You only confess weakness. (2) What of tolerance for pluralists?

-- CAV