Sticks and stones…

I hardly ever disagree with John over at Marquette Warrior.

His posts are always very well thought out (I sort of consider him to be the George Will of the Cheddersphere), viagra prescription but I think he’s being too soft on the Muslim overreaction to the now infamous Danish satirical images of Muhammad when he says he doesn’t think this is a simple issue.

I’m sorry, viagra John, viagra but I think this is a very simple issue.

In this case, you either believe in the freedom of expression or you’re willing to accept the violent repression of other people’s opinions.

Yes, the Muslim community around the world has a right to be offended.

What they DON’T have is a right not to be offended.

Even the Journal Sentinel admitted there is no right NOT to be offended.

I refuse to accept a worldview that postulates that what people say can be restricted by the frail sensibilities of anyone else.

The possibility that someone’s feelings might get hurt does NOT give them a right to repress free speech.

And personally, I think what Muslims SHOULD be offended about are the people who do the things satirized in those cartoons in the name of Islaam.

I’d like to point out that you never see Muslim crowds out protesting suicide bombers, but you WILL see them burning down other people’s embassies over a few CARTOONS.

I understand that the underlying point of John’s post was to draw attention to the inconsistency of being upset about insults aimed at other races or people of certain sexual-orientations, but NOT at insults aimed at religions.

And I agree that religion deserves as much respect as race, sexual-orientation, etc…

Where I think we probably differ is that John seems to want to extend the protected status of race and sexuality to religion, and I want to strip it away from all of them.

No one and no group is above criticism.

And as the rhyme most of us learned as children so wisely states:

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.”

1 comment February 4th, 2006


About

Being in a wheelchair gives you a unique perspective on the world. This blog features many of my views on politics, art, science, and entertainment. My name is Elliot Stearns. More...

The Abortionist

Recent Comments

Categories

Meta