Posted on 03/29/2006 7:35:14 PM PST by TFFKAMM
Borders and Waldenbooks stores will not stock the April-May issue of Free Inquiry magazine because it contains cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad that provoked deadly protests among Muslims in several countries.
"For us, the safety and security of our customers and employees is a top priority, and we believe that carrying this issue could challenge that priority," Borders Group Inc. spokeswoman Beth Bingham said Wednesday.
The magazine, published by the Council for Secular Humanism in suburban Amherst, includes four of the drawings that originally appeared in a Danish newspaper in September, including one depicting Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban with a lit fuse.
Islamic tradition bars depiction of Muhammad to prevent idol worship, which is strictly prohibited.
"What is at stake is the precious right of freedom of expression," said Paul Kurtz, editor-in-chief of Free Inquiry. "Cartoons often provide an important form of political satire ... To refuse to distribute a publication because of fear of vigilante violence is to undermine freedom of press — so vital for our democracy."
Bingham said the decision was made before the magazine arrived at the company's stores. Borders Group, based in Ann Arbor, Mich., operates more than 475 Borders and 650 Waldenbooks stores in the United States, though not all regularly carry the magazine.
"We absolutely respect our customers' right to choose what they wish to read and buy and we support the First Amendment," Bingham said. "And we absolutely support the rights of Free Inquiry to publish the cartoons. We've just chosen not to carry this particular issue in our stores."
The cartoons, which were reprinted in European and American papers in January and February, sparked a wave of protests around the Islamic world. Protesters were killed in some of the most violent demonstrations and several European embassies were attacked.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Every year on the anniversary of something, Borders has a free speech celebration and a big table with all the books which have been banned at some point like Huckleberry Finn. Wouldn't it be fun to take a whole bunch of these magazines to the store and leave them on the table? hehe
wimps.
Freakin' dhimmis.
So if I threaten to riot because they don't acrry the latest issue of Swank or Juggs, will that cause them to start carrying it?
What a bunch of wimps.
In this case, it is also arrant cowardice.
It looks like threats from bullies really DO WORK!
Can anyone imagine them rejecting a magazine for printing Piss Christ?
Soon to be a nominee for the Kennedy Profile In Courage Award.
"Newspapers to stop carrying news unfavorable to Islam -- 'For us, the safety and security of our customers and employees is a top priority, and we believe that printing anything that did not praise Islam could challenge that priority,' said the editor of a major west coast newspaper. . . CAIR praises responsible use of free speech rights. . . ."
Borders was founded in Ann Arbor, the home of the University of Michigan and the hotbed of left-wing kookiness in the midwest.
Makes sense. I remember years ago when there was only one of them around here (Boston), and they were very obviously left-wing. Then when they expanded, I was fascinated by how they soft-pedalled that. So much for having the courage of their convictions when making money was at risk. (I have no problem with making money, but lefties seem to--with OTHERS making money, that is.)
I CRY CENSORSHIP
liberals love censorship
Actually, this speaks volumes as to which religion they consider a religion of peace and which religion they consider a religion of violence.
I guess the inquiry isn't so free after all.
About five years ago I found a copy of David Horowitz's book "Hating Whitey," with the covers torn off, in the men's room toilet of a Barnes & Noble in suburban Detroit. And yes, that particular temple of knowledge did feature the ubiquitous "banned books" display.
Apparently ripping a book to pieces and throwing it in the toilet doesn't fit a lib's narrow definition of banning a book. Its good to know, however, that the mere existence of that book was so painful to some bitter hashed up leftist.
"... that and embracing cowardice. However, our PR people tell us that we should try to spin this abject moral poverty as some kind of customer service initiative, so that's how we're going to frame it."
Gee, what fearless and brave defenders of freedom of expression...not!
bump...
so I can use this against them when they provide some future anti-Christian material for sale.
...the terrorists have already won. Would you believe these people are SCARED TO DEATH over conservativism but they're so careless about this cartoon stuff?
That's easy. I won't patronize either of these companies.
well then, they shouldn't much heartburn with those who decide to shop at someplace that DOES carry said publication...just exercising our freedom to choose, as well as supporting the First Amendment.
PaulKurtz@aol.com
You may disagree with his philosophical and theological writings, but FREE INQUIRY is one of the few national periodicals that had the GUTS to reprint the cartoons, and it's important that First Amendment and anti-Islamist folks of any philosophical bent stand together against this kind of intimidation.
Were can we buy it? Amazon? I humbly suggest that every Freeper buy one copy from the same merchant.
But, but, aren't these the same stores that will go to the mat for the right to carry every piece of trash and filth in print?
> I humbly suggest that every Freeper buy one copy from the same merchant.
I certainly plan to. However... I suspect that some Freepers heads would explode if they were to try to buy something from secular humanists.
Check post #24
Hypocrites. I wonder if they're carrying this book:
The Myth of Islamic Tolerance: How Islamic Law Treats Non-Muslims
So now the terrorists have reached our book stores?
Typical of Borders.
Ann Arbor freaks, the Berserkely of the Midwest.
It looks like terrorism does work. Pitch a fit and kill a few folks. After that, the threat of violence is sufficient.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
BTTT
I wonder if they publish their list of "Banned in Borders" publications? I also wonder how they go about deciding what they will ban.
They obviously respond to threats and intimidation from bullies.
I wonder if Borders is aware of how ironic it is to NOT allow sale of the magazine?
The magazine purportedly will offend muslims...yet Borders policy to not sell it should also offend muslims, who ostensibly cannot live in peace with the rest of us...
And yet the number of items that one of those stores carry that demean, insult or ridule Christians would probably fill a dump truck.
Four instances of one of the cartoons.
http://www.uriasposten.net/pics/JP-011005-Muhammed-Westerga.jpg
http://images.villagevoice.com/issues/0608/hentoff.jpg
http://www.hetvolk.be/Assets/Images_Upload/fhtcartoons.jpg
http://www.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/worldviews/2006/02/01/Cartoon%201.jpg
You ridiculous assclown. You get NEITHER safety NOR security if you negotiate with terrorists!
they are SHAMELESSLY APPEASING and TOTALLY CAPITULATING to them!
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