Compassionate conservativism at work: A rightwing nutjob has come out saying that Americans should demand that the mainstream media reprint the cartoons depicting the Muslim prophet Mohammed that have riled up the Muslim world as a demonstration of our freedom.
The cartoons were first published by a Danish newspaper in September — five months ago. They were reprinted in other European newspapers and have prompted rioting in the Middle East, burning of embassies and consulates, at least one death and numerous injuries, and even demonstrations in the United States.
And now this hothead wants to turn up the heat. I’m sure to some people this kind of rabid rhetoric has a twisted kind of logic:
“Americans need to see for themselves what has outraged Islamofascists in certain parts of the world,” said William Greene, president of the on-line organization, RightMarch.com. “Many Christians and Jews have had to endure the satirizing of their own religious figures. It’s called the free expression of ideas. We shouldn’t apologize for freedom — we’re trying to spread it, and an honest public debate is at the very center of that freedom.
“After 9-11, Americans didn’t take to the streets to burn down embassies, attack civilians and spark riots. We showed great restraint and courtesy to the foreign dignitaries living as guests in our nation. It’s not weakness; it’s strength, and the ultimate test of freedom, which is God’s gift to man,” Green said.
Sounds real Christian-like, don’t it?
“freedom, which is God’s gift to man”
So freedom is free after all. Who’d a thunk it.