Freedom of Speech

Earlier this week, Denmark decided to get the Islamic world all riled up by allowing a cartoon character representing the sacred Muslim Prophet Muhammad. Ever since then, Muslims in Islamic countries from the Far East to the Mid East have been protesting (some violently) the release of the cartoons. Iran, has even gone so far as to cut of trade and economic ties with Denmark.

The whole issue boils down to freedom of speech and where do people need to draw the line. Obviously, in the great country of the USA, we can go pretty far when it comes to speech (except when it comes to yelling "Fire" in a crowded theater, as my high-school Civics teacher used to say). But, is it right to poke fun at, or make jokes of something or someone that some ethnicities revere?

I'm not going to go on a rant on what should or shouldn't be said in any situation. As far as speech goes, I'm pretty convservative (that is to say, I'm happy with the 1st ammendment and the way it was written). But I think there's a little thing called tact and diplomacy that one should keep in mind when they are speaking, or in this case drawing.

Considering the fact that most of the Western World is in a "global conflict" with Terror, and given the fact that the most recent participants who are causing this so-called Terror happen to be of the the Islamic faith, it's probably not a good idea to give them reason to continue their perpetuate their distorted views of the world. By releasing this cartoon, Denmark sparked an increased outcry in the Muslim World. Muslims hold Muhammad to be a very, important, revered, and sacred person. To publicly make light of him (let alone to display his image which Islam frowns upon) only adds fuel to an already hot fire.

I understand that the artist of the cartoon and the editor of the newspaper were simply trying to exercise their right at free speech, which is fine. But given the plight that the Western world currently finds itself, I find this release a little untimely and very unsensitive.