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February 02, 2006
Support the Danes
If you haven't been following the story, Mad Muslim Mullahs and supporters of their thugocracy have their turbans in a twist over a series of cartoons published in the Danish press, threatening those involved in the decision to print the cartoons and calling for a worldwide boycott of Denmark and its products.
In an unexpected development, other Euros are backing the Danes.
PARIS -- Declaring that democracy includes the "right to blasphemy," French and German newspapers yesterday republished caricatures of the prophet Muhammad that have riled the Muslim world.
The front page of the daily France Soir, which is owned by an Egyptian businessman, carried the headline "Yes, We Have the Right to Caricature God" along with a cartoon of Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim and Christian gods floating on a cloud. Inside, the paper reran the drawings.
La Stampa in Italy, El Periodico in Spain and Dutch paper Volkskrank also carried some of the drawings, the British Broadcasting Corp. reported.
However, courage is not the coin of the realm in France. Eager to become the Publishing Petain of the Caliphate, one would-be dhimmi was only too happy to give his editor the chop for lacking the proper ass-kissing demeanor demanded by the angry Muhammadeans.
Late yesterday, France Soir owner Raymond Lakah said he would remove Jacques Lefranc as managing director. He expressed regret "to the Muslim community and all people who were shocked by the publication" of the cartoons, a statement said.
The Danish daily Jyllands-Posten originally published the cartoons in September after asking artists to depict Islam's prophet to challenge what it perceived was self-censorship among artists dealing with Islamic issues. A Norwegian newspaper reprinted the images last month.
The depictions include an image of Muhammad wearing a turban shaped as a bomb with a burning fuse. Another shows him saying that paradise was running short of virgins for suicide bombers. Islamic tradition bars any depiction of the prophet to prevent idolatry.
Angered by the drawings, masked Palestinian gunmen briefly took over a European Union office in Gaza on Monday. Saudi Arabia, Syria and Libya recalled their ambassadors to Denmark.
The Danish-Swedish dairy giant Arla Foods said its sales in the Middle East have dropped as a result of a boycott of Danish products across the region. The company is preparing to lay off 140 employees.
The Jyllands-Posten, which received a bomb threat over the drawings, has apologized for hurting Muslims' feelings but not for publishing the cartoons.
Editor Carsten Juste said the international furor amounted to a victory for opponents of free expression.
"Those who have won are dictatorships in the Middle East, in Saudi Arabia, where they cut criminals' hands and give women no rights," Mr. Juste said. "The dark dictatorships have won."
Amen, Mr. Juste. I'm going to buy some Danish sardines, pronto.
Michelle Malkin has -- as usual -- a thorough post with links galore, including the cartoons, too. Surf on over and see what has the "Religion of Peace" threatening most unpeaceful revenge.
Posted by Mike Lief at February 2, 2006 08:01 AM
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