With all due respect Brandon, this cartoon just proves how incompatible the Western viewpoint is with the Muslim view on this issue. The Koran itself says that those who depict the prophet Mohammed in an unfavorable way must be punished. Some contend, specifically the leaders of Iran, that if this person happens to be Muslim they should be killed (e.g. Salman Rushdie). Where you and I see free speech and something harmless, they see an insult to their very religious being.

Also, you fail to note that these are countries on the brink of civil war and these began as peaceful protests that were enflamed by the actions of a few instigators (the media is reporting that is specifically what happened in Beirut this weekend, at least).

Brendan,love your artwork sense and simplicity picture perfect.Cheers,Danny Haszard

these began as peaceful protests that were enflamed by the actions of a few instigators (the media is reporting that is specifically what happened in Beirut this weekend, at least).

I wouldn't take media reports too seriously, every protest is instigated by somone. So when the media "reports" this, their source probably has an agenda.

In almost every protest there are some who go to extreems--ie. the WTO protest in Seattle. The violence is always what makes the news, not the 99% who protest peacefully. These protests have have such good legs because the cartoons are an "in your face" to people who already believe they are being taken advantage of all around the world.

Then there is the hypocrisy of the paper that printed the cartoons and their disingenuous touting of "free speech". Check out this excerpt from the Guardian.

' In April 2003, Danish illustrator Christoffer Zieler submitted a series of unsolicited cartoons dealing with the resurrection of Christ to Jyllands-Posten.

Zieler received an email back from the paper's Sunday editor, Jens Kaiser, which said: "I don't think Jyllands-Posten's readers will enjoy the drawings. As a matter of fact, I think that they will provoke an outcry. Therefore, I will not use them."

And then there are the laws that made it illegal to state that the Holocost didn't occurr. What happened to free speach there?

That said, lashing out in vengful anger invariably strikes the innocent and spreads the rage. Like Sadam wiping out the village where they tried to assinate him or like Bush wiping out Faluja (a city almost as big as Portland) because some mercenaries were killed there and dragged thruogh the streets.

Brendan, I do enjoy your cartoon's take on this subject.

I've previously posted to my blog on this topic:

http://undergroundscience.blogspot.com/2006/02/outrage-over-cartoons.html

...however, that post was completed prior to the escalation of violence over the weekend and yesterday. So, in addition to the comments in my blog (which are, admittedly, a bit insensitive to Islamic culture), I'd like to add that I really think these cartoons are like a match dropped into the powderkeg of Muslim society today. Similar cartoons have certainly been printed throughout the history of our civilization (especially back during British rule of the area), but for some reason these particular ones are seen as decidely less than funny, and I'm sure that certain agitators are using them as a good excuse to rile up the masses.

It is rather amusing to see people carrying torches, raising their fists in the air, and committing acts of violence... over a couple of cartoons. It's almost every cartoonist's dream audience reaction... (or is that nightmare? Depends on if you happen to be Callahan, I suppose).

Speaking of which, has Callahan responded in kind with a cartoon of his own on this subject, yet?

cheers, ~Garlynn

"And then there are the laws that made it illegal to state that the Holocost didn't occurr. What happened to free speach there?"

Free Speech doesn’t exist. Not in the way we view the 1st Amendment. What people seem to forget, and probably need a gentle reminder of every now and again is that the US is different. REALLY and truly different. Read some of the Constitutions out there, and there are really only a couple that come close to us, in terms of scope or breadth*. The Constitution for the Netheralands is very different from ours. Please take a moment and compare the two:

Article 7 [Expression]

(1) No one shall require prior permission to publish thoughts or opinions through the press, without prejudice to the responsibility of every person under the law. (2) Rules concerning radio and television shall be laid down by Act of Parliament. There shall be no prior supervision of the content of a radio or television broadcast. (3) No one shall be required to submit thoughts or opinions for prior approval in order to disseminate them by means other than those mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, without prejudice to the responsibility of every person under the law. The holding of performances open to persons younger than sixteen years of age may be regulated by Act of Parliament in order to protect good morals. (4) The preceding paragraphs do not apply to commercial advertising.

Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. There is a big difference in framing, context and attitude. Of course, ours was ratified in 1787 and that Dutch was adopted 1815; amended many times, with the last time in 2002.

This illustrates a problem…and one of the fundamental problems of “World Government”. To wit: Who’s Freedom of Speech? If we adopt another countrie’s freedom of speech, it becomes restrictive for us…but if we force ours on others, people would certainly build buildings.

A gent recently asked me how I would feel if “someone were printing cartoons about Jesus in the same way.” The problem with that issue is that people do publish just those cartoons: Hustler, Screw, the Merc, the PPP (If you are an old time Portlander, you might remember that), Callahan, Akbar/Jeff, the Simpsons, South Park. Jerry Falwell in an outhouse with his momma…all sorts of stuff that you, me, and everyone we know finds exceptionally offensive gets published. Contrary to squashing democracy like a sugar ant on a sugar mill, this only serves to strengthen the country as a whole, and Christianity, specifically. Proves that something enduring and honest can hold up its luster to a bit a scuff or tarnish.

*with the possible exception of South Africa’s Constitution.

Thanks for bringing the international discussion home to us here in Oregon, Brendan. On this topic, I saw the most interesting point made yesterday on Fox News (I know, I know). Muslim newspapers habitually publish cartoons depicting Jews as hook-nosed, greedy SOBs. While I don't think that the press should be in the habit of offending religions or dogmas, perhaps the Muslim community should examine the fleck in their own eye.

And where were the protests throughout history?

responding to the first comment, i was not attacking all muslims at all, just the ones that decided violent protests are rad. also, the comics were insensitive and more than just depicting islam in a negative way, they helped prove to a lot of people in the muslim world that they are looked-down upon by westerners. reosrting to insulting entire ethnic and religious groups just because you are a cartoonist who is apparently incapable of making an actual point or joke that says something real is just a waste of everyone's time and frustration. the cartoonist is just as guilty as the rioters, i just found rioting an ironic protest to someone saying your people and their religion is violent.

Brendan,

Just when I thought you'd come to your senses, you cave in to the guilt mongering.

Cartoonists are just as guilty as rioters?

I gave you a shout out a couple of days ago at MyVeryBrain, but you get a mention of shame toward the end of today's post.

Where were your exquisite sensibilities when you published this cartoon?

There are nuts in this country as well! The Jehovah Witness Watchtower is a big money (billion a year) mind control operation that steals the hearts, minds and ultimately the lives of it’s followers. The cult has predicted the end of the world numerous times. This has lead many to take their own lives. The cult also practices medieval ritual shunning. By the time one is trapped in the cult they know no one besides other cult members. This also leads to suicide. educate yourself www.freeminds.org
www.dannyhaszard.com

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