In The Line Of Fire

 

Many of us have bitterly complained about the American MSM's lack of courage to stand up for what in pretty much any other circumstance it would have vociferously defended: Its freedom of expression.

The west is the source of the liberating ideas of individual liberty, political democracy, the rule of law, human rights and cultural freedom. It is the west that has raised the status of women, fought against slavery, defended freedom of enquiry, expression and conscience. No, the west needs no lectures on the superior virtue of societies who keep their women in subjection, cut off their clitorises, stone them to death for alleged adultery, throw acid on their faces, or deny the human rights of those considered to belong to lower castes.

Freedom of expression is our western heritage and we must defend it or it will die from totalitarian attacks. It is also much needed in the Islamic world. By defending our values, we are teaching the Islamic world a valuable lesson, we are helping them by submitting their cherished traditions to Enlightenment values.

Whilst we can only speculate what might be the true motives for most of the editors' abstinence, undoubtedly shameful cowardice first springs to mind, and whilst  I have voiced my own theory as to why America as a whole has proven it's resolve and worth, in the fight against terror, it still does not excuse the cowardice of the MSM who continue not to publish the cartoons.

Is The New York Times finally waking up today, or have they realized that their previous stand has slowly become unsustainable. Either way this article from the editorial board fits into the 'too little too late' category:

With every new riot over the Danish cartoons, it becomes clearer that the protests are no longer about the caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad, but about the demagoguery of Islamic extremists. The demonstrators are undeniably outraged by what they perceive as blasphemy. But radical Islamists are trying to harness that indignation to their political goals and their theocratic ends by fomenting hatred for the West and for moderate regimes in the Muslim world. These are dangerous games, and they require the most resolute response.

Ed Morrissey delivers the slam dunk: "The Times cannot bring itself to admit this. Why? It would force the Times to recognize its role in the shameful surrender shown by the American media in not just refusing to publish the cartoons themselves, but also in their haughty rationalizations that they must remain sensitive to the icons of Islamic faith. They routinely fail to show this sensitivity to icons of other faiths, such as their reprint of the Ofili Madonna, covered in elephant dung and pictures of female genitalia. Nor did they scold the gallery that exhibited the artwork, and they staunchly defended the federal funding the exhibition received when then-mayor Rudy Giuliani wanted it pulled. They only care about sensitivity when the offended carry bombs, guns, and torches.

Even today, with its far-too-late recognition of the real issues involved in the Cartoon Wars, the Times has yet to publish the cartoons themselves so their readers can understand the context of the controversy. The Gray Lady then scolds Yemen and Jordan for charging Muslim journalists who did publish the cartoons for "giv[ing] extremists a dollop of legitimacy". They hypocrisy drips from this statement, seeing as how the almost the entire American media establishment did exactly the same thing with their fear-based refusal to publish the cartoons themselves.

Don't be fooled by this editorial. It signifies something worse than the pusillanimity shown earlier -- the Times admits they understand the stakes involved, and yet refuse to stand up to the Islamists anyway."

Do you think the Muslims are satisfied with the New York Times article, nah, in fact they are seething:

"This editorial is far sinister than the publications of the cartoons. Nothing can be more misleading and hypocritical on the part of the New York Times than stating that the cartoons are an isolated incident. This is not an isolated incident when looked in the context of what is really happening all around us and to which the Times turns a blind eye.

Islamophobia of the New York Times stands exposed. The ideas of its editors, expressed in its February 25, 2006 editorial are so overtly Islamophobic that a Muslim writer, who was not moved by the cartoon issue to write even a single paragraph, could hardly wait a minute to respond to the Times editors.

"Islamophobia of the New York Times", you have got to be kidding me! In your dreams buddy. More like giving your metamorphosis legitimacy, and pampering to your terrorist demands, whilst you burn our embassies and kill anyone who dares to get in your way.

These people are unbelievable, appeasement indeed, yeah that'll work. As I have always said, they will simply move the goalpost.

One should never be tolerant with the intolerant. Nowhere do so many religions coexist peacefully as in a democracy where freedom of expression is a fundamental right. You take that right away and you are setting a dangerous precedent.

We have shown that we are afraid of consequences, and therefore are willing to sacrifice our own fundamental beliefs. And the Muslim attitude is: " Free speech is good so long as it tolerates our right, as an identity group, to dictate which free speech is authentic and allowable. Otherwise, y’know, we get to torch".

Michelle Malkin as usual doesn't miss a beat:

Today, the NYTimes editorial board pretends to show solidarity with brave foreign journalists who have published the Mohammed Cartoons overseas at risk of their freedom and lives.

And then the editorial board has the nerve to call moderate Muslims "fence-straddlers" on the issue.

Excuse me? Remind me what day and what page the NYTimes published the cartoons?

The stomach churns.

I really love her, she always tells it like it is, no punches spared there.

Charles Johnson @ LGF is right there:

[...] isn’t this the same newspaper that not only refused to publish the cartoons (out of “sensitivity”), but condemned other newspapers who did? The New York Times is calling on “moderate Muslims” to do what the Times editors themselves would not—to show courage and stand up for free speech in the face of violent intimidation by fanatics.

These are new, uncharted depths in mainstream media cowardice and hypocrisy. Shame on the New York Times.

Yes shame on the New York Times. As Jeff Jacoby @ The Boston Globe said "We are all Danes now" (well most of us other than Debbie Schlussel, who has been challenged by Misha @ Anti Idiotarian Rottweiller (disgusting language warning, Misha is a Dane, and Schlussel took an almighty swing at his countrymen) with clarification follow up here. and Misha's published apology. Beth @ MVRWC defends Misha's stand. Vinnie @ Jawa joins in, but thinks better of it, as Schlussel has threatened one blogger with a lawsuit and another with the FBI. Eh?

As I said "We are all Danes now".

Congratulations to Christopher Hitchens for organizing the demonstration in Washington in support of the Danish cartoons. Don't miss reading his 'Stand Up For Denmark' post.

Glenn Reynolds has a complete set of links here, as does Michelle Malkin here.  Funniest report here, best videos here, and photographs here from Stephen Green, and The Political Pitbull who was there and here some more from Andrew Sullivan who also attended. Mike Weiss has dedicated some quality time to this, and given his support throughout.

Chester has published a transcript of Hitchens' speech here,

Other bloggers posting in support: Power Line, Captain's Quarters, The Anchoress, Ed Driscoll, Dr. Sanity, Junk Yard Blog, Expose The Left, Ace, DCist, Wonkette, GOP Bloggers, Kesher Talk, Dean's World, Sisu, Sister Toldjah, Tapscottscopydesk, Outside The Beltway, Blue Star Chronicles, Crossing Wallstreet, Little Miss Attila, Outside The Beltway, Hyscience, Presto Agitato, Corsair the Rational Pirate, DCist, Squiggler, Mediabistro, Althouse, TigerHawk, Daily Pundit, The Big Pharaoh, GOP Blogger, Dr. Weevil, American Digest, David's Medienkritik, Grim, Spectator, The Moderate Voice, Right Winged, Combs, Secular Blasphemy, 80/20 rule 

If I have missed anyone out, please send me a trackback or email and let me know, and I shall add you to the list.

Via Eugene Volokh:

Journalists Facing Prosecution for Printing Cartoons:

It turns out that the five countries alluded to in the New York Times story on the subject were Jordan and Yemen (which the Times named), and Syria, Algeria, and Indonesia, which for some reason the Times story didn't name. In more recent news, it turns out that India has also arrested a journalist for printing the cartoon. According to the story,

    "Alok Tomar, editor of Shabdarth, was arrested Wednesday after the government warned the Indian media not to publish anything that hurts the religious sentiments of any community."

I'm still not sure why the Times said there were arrests in five countries, but mentioned only two; I assume it was an editing error. But in any event, this is my attempt to fill that gap.

Michelle Makin has more on the gratefulness of those nations who we have helped in the past, and demented rallies protesting against the cartoons from the religion of peace in Lahore.

A not to be missed open letter by a very intelligent young American Muslim, Ali Eteraz, who has a lot to say about the false accusations of Islamophobia in America, and suggests some Muslims should  go and try to live in the deserts of Pakistan, and see if it is any better.[the comments section]

Memeorandum features my post here.

Linked to Wizbang, Stop The ACLU,  and Mudville Gazette

Related on ATB:
Is There Any Difference Between Exquisitely Refined Multicultural Sensitivity And Shari'a
Hirsi Ali 'The Real Heroine In The Fight Against Islam
A Perilous Premise
A Dangerous Precedent
The Grave Injustice Of A Senseless Death Sentence
Is Western Liberalism Modifying It's Core Beliefs
"The Nation of Islam Will Sit At The Throne Of The World..."
The Metastasizing Sharia
Religious Dogma Has No Place In A Secular Society
The Cartoon War
Take A Walk On The Wild Side
The Effect Of Our Holy Trinity Of Multiculturalism, Moral Equivalence And Relativism On The War Of Destiny

Comments

[antimedia]

This particularly struck me.

One should never be tolerant with the intolerant. Nowhere do so many religions coexist peacefully as in a democracy where freedom of expression is a fundamental right. You take that right away and you are setting a dangerous precedent.

Yet in the land of tolerance far too many have demanded the silencing of voices they disagree with. Political correctness is more than some silly idea that should be ridiculed. It is a direct threat to the very thing all of us hold dear — freedom.

Some would argue that it's insensitive to speak ill of others — that we should be more careful with our words. As an admonition from our parents and loved ones, this has merit. As a guideline for a culture, it borders dangerously on censorship, which is to be hated with more vigor than intolerance ever should be and should be resisted at every turn.

At one time we used to say, "I disagree with every word and everything he(she) stands for, but I will defend with my life his right to say it." Now we say, "Who are we to judge someone else or say that their intolerance is wrong?" We have come so far from our Fathers, and we are so much less willing to die for freedom than they were, that one wonders, truly, if America can survive, or if the light of freedom that led men to cross an ocean when such a thing was life-threatening is now flickering as it dies.

We have traded true tolerance (of words) for false tolerance (of actions), and we are all worse off.

[Eteraz to All(ah) ya]

HELLO Gang,

I am back. I recently posted an open letter to the muslims at the university of illinois at my blog. I hope that you will give it a glance b/c it is important that it is disseminated widely. There is a dearth of critical voices amongst American-Muslims.

ps - i haven't forgotten about my post as to the poets and the prophet.

[Stefan]

NxN is correct to note that bullies are very effective in getting what they want when they deal with the countries and organizations that adhere to notions of radical PC tolerance and relativism. Those who that raise their children with the same “tolerant” indulgence that is given to these real-world bullies end up with back-talking spoiled brats who climb all over tables in restaurants, run in airplanes, and that take over other public venues. Bullies, large and small, political or intellectual, must not be met with timidity and indecisiveness because when they smell weakness their mouths start to water. They know they have an “in” because no one will protest in the hopes of avoiding a confrontation or a scene. The governments in Europe, the MSM, the UN, and others of their ilk find themselves looking for the “troubleshooting” section in their tolerance manuals to see if there is a correct PC response to these kinds of attacks against free speech that they themselves are deeply uncomfortable with. Liberals love the secular socialist style of European countries like Denmark so they are caught with their mouths open. Their beloved tolerant European model is clashing with their deep desire to “feel the pain” of radical Islamists. Just as a parent whose child regularly runs over them is deeply traumatized when that child ends up doing something that is clearly indefensible. They have no idea how to deal with the situation and are left embarrassed and pathetically searching for some means of disciplinary control. A system which has never been established. One thing that may come out of this is the slow, creaking turn of ship that carries the MSM, the UN, and the EU in the direction of realizing that radical Islamists are not screwing around. The Jihad will keep pushing right past Jerusalem and Baghdad, which the MSM, UN, and other liberals seem to be ambivalent about, and right into their precious domain of secularism. Maybe they can actually be pushed too far. We shall see. It will take more events to make it happen but they are starting to think a bit more seriously….I hope.

Quickly, this is why the jailing of the Austrian holocaust revisionist is bad. The Islamists have already grabbed on to it and are throwing it in our faces. They demanded that the Danish government stop the publishing of the cartoons and we said that western governments cannot and should not interfere with freedom of speech and expression. Well the Austrians showed that western governments will put a stop to some speech. It makes the defense of the cartoons thornier from a standpoint of intellectual consistency. Not that the Islamists are listening or anything but it causes western liberals' "imperial guilt" complex to further short-circuit their ability to make a strong stand.

[North by Northwest]

This whole affair has yet again proved that he who shouts the loudest, has the floor, scores the most, wins the contest. When have you last been upgraded in a hotel, car-rental or airline without having first caused a scene threatening with legal action? Without demanding to speak with the manager in charge first? Without having threatened staff-members to cause their dismissal?

Conversely, haven't we all witnessed those bullies, who manage to always keenly balance their rage, depending to whom they speak, so as to avoid being labeled a disturbance; who instead come across as the oh so aggrieved, most valued customer. They'll always end up in the corner suite whilst paying for a single room.

Al Sharpton's entire career is built on this dynamic, or let me rather call it by its name: SHAM. It is the reason why so many liberals are fooled into believing that they are the majority. It is a sad day, when we realize that our calm, moderate ways have inadvertently paved the way for those who wish to enslave us. And it is an even sadder day, when we are forced to push back forcefully and aggressively, brining out the worst in all of us. But that is where we are heading. And, as always, first in line, to pay the hefty price, are those, who abhor the vile tactics of their Muslim brethren, whose calls for moderation and reform have at best fallen on deaf ears and at worst made them outcasts within their own communities, thus condemning them to wretched isolation.

It is in this context that we must applaud Hitchens and those who came in support, but it is also necessary to realize that this is way to little, but NOT too late.

[Dennis Larsen]

comment: A citation from the eye of the Storm - a lodestar for those under siege:
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty."
John F. Kennedy

[Paul of York]

Perhaps much of the MSM already knows how ashamed we are of them, so now it doesn't matter that they continue on in their cowardice and betrayal of their lofty expressions.
How they can pick and choose based on the possible harm which may come to them is a lesson for us all, especially our troops in harms way and the reason the MSM attacks them and not our enemies. Our troops will not harm the MSM, in fact, protects them even as they castigate all that they do.

Apparently, all we or they need do is storm a few MSM offices to silence the liberal MSM. I don't think it would work at many conservative news offices.