Posted on 09/28/2010 9:53:16 AM PDT by george76
A federal law is needed to cover threats against free-speech rights. Across media and geographies, Islamic extremists are increasingly using intimidation to stifle free expression.
Earlier this year, after Comedy Central altered an episode of "South Park" that had prompted threats because of the way it depicted Islam's prophet Muhammad, Seattle cartoonist Molly Norris proposed an "Everybody Draw Muhammad Day." The idea was, as she put it, to stand up for the 1st Amendment and "water down the pool of targets" for extremists.
The proposal got Norris targeted for assassination by radical Yemeni American cleric Anwar Awlaki, who has been linked to the attempted Christmas Day bombing of a Northwest Airlines flight and also to several of the 9/11 hijackers. This month, after warnings from the FBI, Norris went into hiding. The Seattle Weekly said that Norris was "moving, changing her name, and essentially wiping away her identity."
In 2004, Theo van Gogh was butchered on an Amsterdam street in broad daylight for his film criticizing Islam's treatment of women. By 2006, it was reported that "dozens of people" across Europe were "in hiding or under police protection because of threats from Muslim extremists."
Some targets, including the coauthor of this Op-Ed, fled to the United States, where it seemed safer -- and so it is, for now. However, the stark truth is the United States was never immune and the situation is deteriorating.
In 1989, two American bookstores carrying Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses" were firebombed. Spooked major chains took it off display. And there have been many more threats that received less publicity.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Not likely to happen with leftists in charge of the government
bump
Life, liberty and the pursuit and destruction of totalitarians.
We can not regulate speech in other countries. Whatever a Muzzies wants to say while they are on their knees behind their goats or camels they can say. They should be advised that they and their extended families will never get a US Visa of any kind.
We CAN and MUST protect OUR freedom of speech and those who speak and as a result must also be protected.
i MUST assume that ive got a fatwa, and reasonably can demonstrate 'fear for my life'...
The 2nd Amendment: learn it, live it, love it.
There are already laws against threatening and intimidating others!!!
Funny the LA Times is now demanding this - where were they when their lefty friends were calling everyone Islamophobes for daring to criticise Muslim nutcases?????????????
Your 2nd amendment right is the most important. I had a drunk threaten to kill me once. I took a piece of paper from my pocket and wrote a date and location on it. I then put the piece of paper in his pocket. He asked what it was. I told him you are drunk right now but when you are sober meet me at that place at the time noted and we would solve the issue. Needless to say, he did not show up. Aggressively defend yourself, that is the only way.
A federal law is needed to cover threats against free-speech rights.A federal law prohibiting Islam and ejecting all Muzzies who refuse to repudiate it would do the trick. Thanks george76.
Back when the jihadis threatened Salman Rushdie it was fashionable among leftists to oppose shariah. Now the left sees common cause with the Islamists in that they both seek the destruction of the West. So in the face of terroristic threats against cartoonists and Koran-burning preachers the left counsels forbearance and submission.
The Islamists will press us forever on all fronts and the left will abet them. Our only choice is massive resistance. Thus the next time some preacher steps forward and declares his intent to burn a Koran, it will be incumbent on all patriots to defend his right to free speech without qualification.
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