The whole Muslim cartoon thing is interesting. It sparks hypocrisy everywhere. The U.S. fresh from bashing gays in the last few elections, clucks and says “Shame on you Europe, you really should be more respectful of other’s beliefs”. And “the Middle East really needs to become used to Western pluralism”. Ha!

Then, the Muslim community is upset about the fact the cartoon links the huge number of Muslims who are peaceful with the fanatical Muslim terrorists who give the rest of them a bad name. I completely agree with them on that. So what do thousands of Muslims around the world do? Violently protest about depicting Muslims as violent. Yeah, you made your point. Loud and clear. (I do realize also they’re upset because their religion has a ban on depicting Mohammed in an image)

The newspapers have a cherished freedom of speech and have every right to print something offensive to Muslims, Christians, gays, etc. There’s also a need for responsibility and ethics in journalism to know when something is inflammatory and insensitive. I’m not saying on which side these images fall, I don’t really know. But I do know that everyone involved has been immature and hypocritical. Not that it surprises me anymore.

CNN.com - Muslim anger on cartoons spreads - Feb 3, 2006

Update: Here’s the pic that have everyone so upset. Not trying to be inflammatory, but I do have to support the newspapers that are reprinting this and other cartoons in support of free speech. The articles now are talking about how there’s a debate of whether free speech should stop when it offends religion. That’s complete bullshit in my modest opinion.

Other images that caused the controversy and were printed by papers can be seen here.