It has been stewing for a while now and I think it is time I just said my piece and then let it be.
I believe in the freedom of speech. I also believe that it is crucial to have a free press.
When I say I believe in free speech I mean it in the fullest possible context. A person should be allowed to say whatever, whenever, whereever. The white-supremisist teeny-bopper band Prussian Blue should be able to sing their songs of hatred in the same way that (at the time of posting) the google ads at the Experiment were proclaiming the love of Jesus.
BUT there is a catch. If I were to yell “Fire” in a crowded theatre when there was, in fact, no fire and a riot or stampede breaks out then I should be held accountable for how I used my freedom. If by publishing cartoons that are known to offend and incite violence then I should be held accountable.
The fact that someone could be offended by a cartoon is unfathomable to me. However, that does not make it impossible. The Danish had no way of knowing this was going to be the extent of the backlash. But everyone afterwards knows for certain.
Those who are publishing the cartoons in order to fight for “free speech” are doing so to their own peril. Oddly enough they are wanting to limit free speech of others by demanding that right for themselves. The Muslims who are outraged by the cartoon have every right to voice their concern but they do not have the right to kill or destroy. These “free speech” activists who wish that the Muslims would chill-out are, in a round-about-way, silencing dissent.
The cartoonists have every right to draw their pictures. The publishers have every right to publish. The Muslims have every right to voice their concern. And everyone must be accountable for their words and for their actions.
Burning down a house or a car is arson.
Uttering threats is illegal.
Instigating a riot is illegal.
Printing cartoons known to instigate a riot is instigating a riot.
