That is the way to fight this bullshit, make a national day of the cartoon. Fly the cartoons from every flagpole in honour of free speech. Never ever give in to terror or threats in ANY form.

Damn straight.

I see no real reason to reprint the cartoons. The point have already been made; "We got freedom of speech and we're not afraid to use it!"

Besides, there will soon be another thing in life that irks the sh*t out of these people.

The reason to reprint the cartoons is so that joe average realises exactly how inoffensive the majority of them are, they can then guage the muslim reaction proportionately to the offensiveness of the cartoon. The reaction to alleged koran mishandling I think got some sympathy because alot of christians would be deeply offended by someone throwing a Bible in a toilett, or crapping on it, or burning it, etc, the reaction wouldn't be riots, but when dealing with <s>savages</s> people who know only violence as a solution, a more violent reaction is almost expected.

<font face="Verdana" size="3" color="#009999">Here is my problem with reprinting the cartoons. You are placing people like soldiers, volunteers and diplomats (people trying to do there jobs) in greater danger or attention, they don't want this added pressure. I am OK with reprinting the cartoons even I think it symbolizes hatred or conroversy more than freedom of speech but for the publishers that do that should get geared up and sent on the front lines with the troops so they can at least share the jobs of those lives they expose to extra danger in barbaric lands. There is such a thing as freedom of speech, but there is also responsibility and holding up to your actions. If your action places someone at greater risk like some these rabid publishers do than you should be held accountable. If you wish to place other peoples lives at greater risk than have the balls to back it up and face the music on the front lines with those whom you place at greater risk. They can help by rebuilding if you can hold a hammer they can probably find some use for them of course when it comes to backing up there freedom of speech as they claim in these situations they tend to be less vocal and more likely to wet there pants.</font>

[ 02-21-2006, 03:45 PM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

A quick point: Why is it that in Germany printing articles about holocaust denial is forbidden, while reprinting these cartoons is not?

So you're saying that freedom of speach is a nice theory, but you shouldn't practice it for fear of offending someone? I'm offended by flag burning (except ceremonially destroying a flag), but I posted a link in this thread from a blog of a guy who burns a flag out of a feeling of patriotism every year, Yes it offends people, but sometimes you have to make an effort to offend just to show yourself and others that free speach does exist and that you will not be cowed by peer pressure.

I have a great deal of respect for the French newspaper editors who reprinted them, and nothing but loathing for the words of Chirac cowtowing and appeasing to the muslim mob instead of standing up for a right that is universally recognized in the west.

I also think military service should be mandatory for those physically capable of serving, the work of soldiers is far too often not understood by the public they serve protect and provide freedoms for. (and yes I did 5 years in the army so I can wholeheartedly agree about editors needing to serve, not because it will cause them to be too fearful of reprisal to print things that might be offensive, but to make them proud enough of their freedoms to be willing to risk offending someone to prove to the world that those freedoms still exist).

<font face="Verdana" size="3" color="#009999">Let me draw a fine line between freedoms and responsibility in terms that everyone can understand. I have the freedom to carry a hammer, I can swing it around, act like a crazy person, as long as noone is not within striking distance. If I walk into a bunch of children should I continuously fling the hammer around carelessly. No, Why not you tell me, I have the freedom to do so? and the pen is mighter than the hammer, I mean sword.</font>

[ 02-21-2006, 04:50 PM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

I think Calderoli was doing the right thing, and I like that court's ruling. So sue me. Seriously, I love to get sued.

<font face="Verdana" size="3" color="#009999">Let me draw a fine line between freedoms and responsibility in terms that everyone can understand. I have the freedom to carry a hammer, I can swing it around, act like a crazy person, as long as noone is not within striking distance. If I walk into a bunch of children should I continuously fling the hammer around carelessly. No, Why not you tell me, I have the freedom to do so? and the pen is mighter than the hammer, I mean sword.</font> </font>[/QUOTE]I agree that the right to swing my fist ends where your nose begins, but I also believe in a simpler law you may have heard of, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.