There's a nice post over at Mel's Diner about the furore caused by a Danish newspaper when it depicted the prophet Mohammed in a series of, perhaps less than flattering, cartoons.
Woooo-weee did folks get mad over that. Apparently, there was big boycott of Danish products by Muslims. Since the only Danish product I could think of - Danish bacon - didn't seem like the kind of thing that would have a big following in the Middle East, I wasn't sure how much that boycott would sting. (I remembered later that the Danes also make butter and really lovely flatware and I guess they make some other stuff, too.)
Now the paper which published the cartoons has apologised and the Danish Prime Minister has welcomed that apology (but wouldn't apologise himself and stressed the importance of a free press)
The Brussells Journal - an online paper - says that European Appeasement only reinforces Muslim Extremism. Maybe so. Anyway, they aren't appeasing - and they've published all the original Danish cartoons on their website.
The end of this row couldn't come at a more interesting time in Britain. Today, Members of Parliament vote on the "stirring up religious hatred bill" a nasty little bill which will essentially end the right to say "I don't like Islam" or "I don't like Christianity" or even "Atheists suck." Government Ministers swear up and down that they will only use the law for people who really, really want to stir up hatred and will look at the context of the speech.
All sorts of people came out to protest today at Westminster to say the Government Ministers were full of crap. I think they're full of crap, too.
Nick Griffin, the leader of a nasty political party, the British National Party (BNP) is currently on trial for saying that "Islam is a wicked religion". But wait - "stirring up religious hatred" isn't against the law yet. Oh, they're getting Mr Griffin on the old law, the law against stirring up racial hatred. My understanding is that prosecutors allege that because most Muslims are Asian - Mr Griffin's speech was really racist - thus a prosecutable offense. Sure, prosecutors also admit that they probably wouldn't have charged anyone else. But I don't think we really want a law of this type, the kind that seeks to look into people's hearts rather than judging their actions and which is passed on the principle that it's not to apply to all.
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Just a small, but important, correction: The Danish Prime Minister has in fact NOT apologized! And he is not going to. 80% of all Danes are against an apology. The paper did apologize, but not for publishing the cartoons, only for "offending" muslims.
Regards from a Dane, holding the ground in defence of free speech
I just don't get it. If people *do* something illegal, like oh, spray-painting swastikas, THEN arrest, prosecute, whatever.
But how on earth can you prosecute someone for thinking out loud? If I think/say, "I hate all Jews, I think we should deface Jewish cemetaries" is that illegal? Or is it only illegal if someone else overhears that, *and then goes out and does it*? Is "incitement" a product of the heart or hand?
It still amazes me that "free speech" is not enshrined in law anywhere in this country.
Prosecute actions, not opinions.
The European Convention on Human Rights contains a very limited & weak right to free speech, AFAIK it's part of British law under the 1998 Human Rights Act. Continental ideas of free speech are more along the lines of "You can say what you like as long as you don't offend anyone or go against a compelling State interest".
BTW it was good to hear this morning that the No Criticism of Religion Bill was defeated, thanks to Tony Blair not turning up to vote! The rebels won one vote by a majority of one. The Bill has now been watered down so according to the Tory spokesman it shouldn't make much difference, since now you actually have to intend to threaten and just "insulting" religion won't be an offence. We'll see. The BBC didn't sound very happy.
To Rob - sorry, I was in the bath when I heard the news story - I will make a correction.
You may also want to update it slightly.
French daily "France soir", German "Die welt" and Icelandic "D.V." have published the cartoons.
Europes media a starting to show their support.
Don't forget the Danish dairy company Arla! Damn they have some good cheese.
I think, while the Muslim reaction went way overboard on this matter, it is developing into an important issue in the EU, and perhaps the world. I am glad to hear that the Danish editor and PM are still standing firm on their right to free speech.
And sheesh, with all this, where are all the Christians bitching about the Kanye West as Jesus cover of Rolling Stone magazine?!?
Christians in the UK are generally a lot more tolerant, and even those who objected to Jerry Springer the Opera being shown on the BBC didn't threaten to kill anyone. Maybe they'll start copying the Muslims and Sikhs though, it has to be a temptation when they see how well it works.
It sounds like that boycott really is stinging.
Maybe Europe should boycott & embargo the Middle East in return? >:) See how they like it without our delicious cheeses!
It's kind of incredible that the EU gives tons of money to Palestine and yet doesn't make a squeak when Palestinian gunmen storm EU offices in Gaza.
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