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Those Cartoons

It is important not to lose sight of what is important here. Freedom of speech means that that ideas and opinions should not be subject to government sanctions or other forms of violence. It doesn't mean people shouldn't be criticised or subjected to protests or boycotts based on what they say.

The cartoon of Mohammed with a bomb in his turban should never have been published in the first place. It is not funny and completely misses the point regarding Islam and terrorism. It is the equivalent of a cartoon of Jesus wearing a Klan hood. When your message has merit, you shouldn't care about offending people, but that is not the situation here. The 'no more virgins' and other cartoons are fine, but my sense is that the turban one is what Muslims are most angry about.

However, once people threaten violence and governments start telling newspapers what they should be printing, it becomes perfectly proper to repeat the offensive cartoon in order to stand up for free speech and show solidarity with those being persecuted. I'm pleased the Dominion Post did so. I don't blame the Herald for not printing the cartoon, but their editorial is mistaken. In order to reprint the cartoons, you do not have to believe their original publication was blameless.

The bombing and embassy burnings in the Middle East are supremely ironic, as this post points out: Angry Muslim Terrorists Protest Cartoon Stereotypes of Angry Muslim Terrorists.

Instapundit has a good post with links.

David Bernstein at Volokh explains why he won't be joining any 'Buy Danish' campaign. They may be right on this issue, but we should remember they are still Europeans.

Of course we can always rely on Chris Carter to talk complete shit:

Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter has warned that the decision by two newspapers to publish cartoons depicting the Muslim Prophet Mohammed, undermines New Zealand's reputation as a tolerant country.

Actually it enhances it. If the government were smart, they would confiscate Carter's cellphone and banish him to the Chatham Islands until this blows over. There's also this:

The Maori Party says it is disgusted at the decision to print the cartoons. Party co-leader Tariana Turia says the act will not only incense the feelings of the Muslim community but is also an outrageous attack on any efforts to create unity throughout Aotearoa.

Now we're being lectured on unity by someone who constantly uses the words 'our people' to refer to those of her own race.

Finally, let's not forget that we don't actually have freedom of speech in New Zealand. Just ask Bob Clarkson or anyone else who has fought an election campaign. The Advertising Standards and Broadcasting Standards authorities also exist primarily to regulate speech. NZ has recently banned speech because it offended a religious group. Perhaps we should be getting our own house in order.