WARNING: generalizations and opinions contained

Paper to run “Holocaust cartoons”

This Article speaks for itself, but I have to contribute my two cents.

First off I would like to point out my recognition that there are many Arabs and Muslims out there who are well educated and don’t fall into the generalizations I may appear to make in this following blurb. Next I would like to ask, why aren’t these people being more vocal? I suppose it is probably like trying to talk to a wall for their part. It is like trying to show scientific evidence of evolution to a Southern Baptist. Not even one of their own people would be likely to convince the other, if they were so inclined. If the devoted believe the sky is purple, you may never be able to convince them that it is actually blue.

I don’t understand these people, basically because I am in disbelief that they can be so stupid. All Anthropology B.S. aside; mayhem, anarchy, destruction of property over something this trivial, something akin to taunts by kindergarteners on the playground; these attitudes should not be tolerated. These people, I hate to say it, but their culture and beliefs are a century behind those of the Western world (If not more in other aspects).

It seems to be almost an insurmountable task to remove this ridiculous logic that name calling has to be met by retribution with violence. They really don’t understand that in the United States we have Skinheads and the KKK spouting off whatever they like, and that we feel it is their prerogative. Granted we weren’t always this civil, and unfortunately I probably still only speak for 95% of the population of industrialized nations.

Physical and emotional taunting of people that might occur in say, a public KKK rally is far worse than some silly drawing. While there may be heavy police forces out to ensure it, generally Americans and probably many others have learned to, to use a Christian euphemism, “turn the other cheek”.

I don’t care what the Koran says, people need to be rational. If it is a “sin” or what have you, than the “peaceful” religion of Islam should feel comfort in the cartoonist’s eventual descent to hell. The destruction of people’s property who have virtually nothing to do with this cartoonist, except association by nationality, (not even in some scenarios) is insane. If this had to do with imaginary weapons of mass destruction, or faulty intelligence I might at least be able to say, well they are wrong, but I get it… but I can’t make that connection (Well faulty intelligence, perhaps). I might understand if a Western leader verbally called Muslims “devils” or something along those lines (Something Iranian leaders seem to be well versed in doing) but this is something so passive, that was passed literally by word of mouth. People have made less of a fuss over mass murder.

I feel like some British colonist or Spanish conquistador writing about the uncivilized natives, and really the fact I could say these things about anyone is concerning. Despite the fact that these people are a hop, skip, and a jump away from acting like bears that eat their children they still must be treated equally. So those who conduct these crimes of passion about a bad joke gone wrong, they should be brought to justice accordingly. People who are spreading violence by vocalizing their angst, they are innocent of crimes and guilty only of free speech. To truly show the Muslim world what democracy is about, this needs to be remembered. Bigotry & Prejudice is a moral crime, but is not a crime that governments have authority to punish. Moral crimes are generally “up for debate”.

I must make this assertion; religious states are detrimental to the peace of the world. As long as they exist we will have these problems, regardless of what religion they are based in. The problem with organized religion is that virtually all of them promote intolerance. You can't seem to have one with out the other. Governments should not be in the business of associating with such antiquitated ideals.

I realize there are individuals within all faiths that aren't prejudiced towards those of other beliefs, however generally the fundamentalists believe only one can be right. Personally I think that with all of the contradictions within any of the faiths out there, that it is ones duty to understand that there is no one true path. There may be, however, one that is right for you, if organized religion is something you desire to gain strength from. Different Strokes for Different folks.

The top danger by this latest movement by much of the Muslim world is that I fear that if this continues their intolerance will serve only to be contagious and spill over into western worlds which unfortunately appear to have their own fundamentalist uprisings beginning to bloom (I’m talking about Christian fundamentalism here of course).

I fear the current protests are much like children unwittingly throwing rocks at a hornets nest. When the rocks eventually cause the nest to swing and violently and break free of its branch, I fear the deluge and irrational anger of the swarm that will be released upon the world.

The Colbert Report had some amusing bits regarding this topic on the show tonight. I would suggest catching the rerun tomorrow if you can.