Posted on 02/05/2006 5:16:46 AM PST by FerdieMurphy
Last week, Muslims marched in the centre of London chanting "Freedom go to Hell!" There could be no more graphic illustration of the paradox at the heart of the cartoon row.
These protesters were exercising - and in many cases abusing - the freedom of protest and freedom of assembly that are foundation stones of British democracy. Yet, even as they exploited these hard-won liberties, they were calling for them to be abolished.
This newspaper would not have published the cartoons of Mohammed at the centre of this controversy, images which we regard as vulgar and fatuously insulting. But - and this is the crucial point - we reserve absolutely our right to make our own decision, free of threat and intimidation. The difficulty is that what started as an issue of editorial judgment has become a question of public order.
The protesters in London with their disgraceful slogans - "Behead those who Insult Islam", "Britain you will pay - 7/7 is on its way" - have made it all but impossible for a genuinely free debate on this issue to take place. All such debate is now being carried out in the shadow of murderous intimidation.
In this wretched affair, no sight has been more wretched than that of Jack Straw last week kowtowing to militant Islam. "There is freedom of speech, we all respect that," the Foreign Secretary said, "but there is not any obligation to insult or to be gratuitously inflammatory." How pathetic that Mr Straw did not find time to condemn the outrageous behaviour of protesters at home and abroad. Where, also, was Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, as Islamic militants called for bloodshed?
The Government's response is especially feeble when compared to Margaret Thatcher's behaviour during the Rushdie Affair. Whatever her private feelings about the author, she and her Cabinet colleagues were resolute in their defence of his rights. Even before the fatwah, she declared that "it is an essential part of our democratic system that people who act within the law should be able to express their opinions freely".
In this controversy, Mr Straw has been put to shame by the German home minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, who robustly defended the freedom of newspapers to make their own decisions. "Why should the German government apologise?" he said. "This is an expression of press freedom." In contrast, the British Government's craven response has sent a terrible signal: those who wish to see free expression curtailed need only light a flame, issue a threat and wave an angry fist.
The bitter irony of the protests is that Britain proved itself after the July 7 bombings to be a tolerant, multi-cultural society. Quite rightly, the citizens of this country drew a sharp distinction between their law-abiding Muslim compatriots and the extremists responsible for the atrocities.
The problem is that militant Islam is not seeking a level playing field - equality before the law, for instance - but special treatment. Muslims expect, as they should, the benefits and protections of British pluralism but, in too many cases, baulk at the duties that are their corollary. One of those duties is to accept that, in a free society, there are occasions when each of us is bound to be offended. "Everyone is in favour of free speech," remarked Churchill. "Hardly a day passes without its being extolled. But some people's idea of it is that they are free to say what they like - but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage." There is no excuse for gratuitous offence, of course. But some Muslims might like to consider how insulting their own views on women's rights, theocracy and Western practices are to many non-Muslims. The offensiveness of these views is no reason to close British mosques or Islamic newspapers.
The abrasions of a modern, multi-faith society are constant and need to be negotiated calmly and diplomatically. The proper boundaries of speech, art and humour are matters for continuous democratic review and consultation. What is completely unacceptable is that this debate should be carried out in a climate of fear.
For let us not delude ourselves: it is violence, or the threat of violence, that has driven the decisions that have been made in the past week. At a time when reasonable dialogue is most needed, the supposed custodians of our democracy are allowing a gun to be held to its head.
...no sight has been more wretched than that of Jack Straw last week kowtowing to militant Islam.
The Government's response is especially feeble when compared to Margaret Thatcher's behaviour during the Rushdie Affair.
Kowtowing to the vicious muslims encourages more outpourings of violent demonstrations. This goes for governments on both sides of the Atlantic.
This is the best article I have seen on the topic.
Freedom for me, but not for you, is what the radicals want.
The folks carrying these two signs should've been arrested in my view. Protesting peacefully is one thing, but both of these advocate violence.
We delude ourselves into thinking that we are not already at war with these people.
Every day that goes by demonstrates that it is near impossible to coexist peacefully with Muslims in a pluralistic society.
We have pried open the soft underbelly of the beast!
Don't stop now!
DRAW MORE CARTOONS!!!
Then the world will begin to see this trash for the Nazis that they are.
DRAW MORE CARTOONS!!!
ALL ARTISTS TO THEIR PALLETTES!
Hey! We're in trouble people. It's just like the
worst cancer that anyone can imagine and it's steadily
growing. Take a lesson (if it's not already too late)
America.
Have no idea where this guy is coming from.
What's 7/7? Is that connected to their prayer deal - seven times a day, every day? Whatever they mean, I'm sure it ain't a good thing.
"images which we regard as vulgar and fatuously insulting"
Nonsense. They are very mild--even lame.
There is no reason at all for the Telegraph not to publish them, except cowardice. (Free speech appears to have no defenders among UK or US publishers.)
The Telegraph is the best bri mainstream newspaper, period.
Apart from the editorial opinion above, another bitof evidence is that they syndicate Steyn's columns.
I agree. I think these and more cartoons should be plastered everywhere, just to make the statement that free nations will NOT be told what to print by Islamists.
I don't care if they are offended. WE are offended that they are trying to cram their laws down OUR throats and restrict OUR freedoms.
The London subway bombings occurred on 7/7/2005. Subsequent attempt on 7/21 failed, IIRC
Last year, on July 7th, the Muslims blew up the London train stations and a bus. 80 or so people were murdered. That occured on: 7/7.
7/7 is the date that the Brits were bombed by the Islamic extremists on buses and trains.
Basically- Islamic extremist are threatening to bomb the Brits again.
Thanks! What a nice sentiment from the children of Allah.
Muslims might also want to consider their views about Israel and the Jewish faith or how intolerant they are of Christians.
How many non-Muslims are aware that Nationals of “Israel” may not enter the U.A.E.? I find that beyond offensive however what's good for the goose should be good for the gander i.e., no more visas for Muslims to any God fearing country.
Exactly right. Neither insulting nor tasteless. In fact, I found them wonderfully entertaining. A hearty belly laugh on a couple of them. Isn't that what cartoons are all about?
It's really time for Hollywoood to get involved. A movie about the life of Mohammad could be a big seller. Use the Koran as a script. Kill infidels. Have sex with children. Incite violence and hatred all over the globe. Lots of possibilities there.
Yeah, well, most Government responses have been feeble since the "Iron Lady" left office.
Why can't these people (the terrorist-demonstrators) simply write a strongly worded letter to the editor and cancel their subscription to the offending newspaper? Now, there's a response.
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