Archive for the ‘internet/free speech’ Category

Why I will not be drawing Mohammed on May 20th…

Posted: May 13, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech
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Years ago when the Satanic Verses came out there was outrage when threats were made against Salman Rushdie. There was a move to have people buy his book in solidarity with Rushdie and to stick those who called for his death.

On of the functions of terrorism is to make a person or a group do something they would not normally do. I was outraged at the threats against an author’s life but I thought about it and asked myself this question…

Would I normally have purchased this book if these threats didn’t take place?

Since I found the answer was no I decided that the only reason I would be buying said book would be to prove to people that I was a supporter of free speech and opposed to the fatwa against Rushdie. I decided I didn’t have to prove anything to anyone, so although whenever the subject came up I condemned the Iranians and expressed support for Rushdie I didn’t buy the book, I’ve never read the book and I never plan to read the book.

Now comes “Everybody draw Mohammed day” and the blog that comes with it and a decision comes again.

Would I be doing this to illustrate my opposition to Jihad? Would I normally do this? The answer both times is no.

I have unabashedly declared islamic killers as barbarians, I will continue to do so. I have condemned the cowardice of Comedy Central. I don’t feel I have anything to prove. In addition I don’t like caricatures of Christ, Mary etc that are unflattering. I want respect for my religion therefore I need to show that same respect. Free speech has to also include freedom to not speak if you don’t want to.

Therefore I am not going to draw Mohammed on May 20th. If you think less of me because of that, so be it…

…oh and I can’t draw to save my life either.

One more thing; there are items that are not offensive that some extremists have deemed offensive, that can’t stand. So I will be doing something on the 20th but not a drawing and not something that I think is offensive.

My latest examiner article: At least once more Miss Swan

Posted: May 12, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech, local stuff, opinion/news, tea parties
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My latest article for the Examiner At least once more Miss Swan is now up at Examiner.com

The title comes from the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie and alludes to how many times Tea Party members will have to take abuse from counter protesters before the media notices the difference in tone.

When an anti-tea party protester can reportedly can call a Jewish relative of Holocaust victims a Nazi and nobody bats an eyelash there is something seriously wrong.

The single most telling statement of the day.

Posted: May 12, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech, opinion/news, war
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Comes from this tweet and post from Ruby Slippers Blog:

As you will see in the video, the young woman appears to have spent much if not all of her life in America. She has little if any discernible accent when she speaks. She has been taught to feel this anger and hatred. It seems highly unlikely to me she would be interested in truly hearing Mr. Horowitz’s opinions. Rather she uses the opportunity to reinforce her own beliefs. Credit her with honesty for her willingness to state on the record she would support such a “goal.” If she were a wiser person she might find a future filled with violence against the Jews solves nothing. It will, however, assure more war and despair for future generations in the Middle East. How very sad.

Here is the video, it should be watched by every college administrator.

No ambiguity, no waffling. Ruby Slippers bolds the quote and I’ll repeat it here:

Horowitz …‘Okay, I’ll put it to you this way. I am a Jew. The head of Hizbollah has said that he hopes that we will gather in Israel so he doesn’t have to hunt us down globally. For or Against it?

MSA member: For it.

Zombie’s report on the assault of Lars Vilks attack not withstanding this is more significant. This takes place on an American campus and is said by an American student. This is the reality that people like Pam Geller and Horowitz have warned us about for years.

We have to take this girl and people like her at their word. It needs to be understood that she and people like her are going to be the pool that our enemies use for a successful domestic attack. If we don’t act accordingly then the more fool us.

Was MSNBC being dishonest this morning concerning the Pope?

Posted: May 11, 2010 by datechguy in catholic, internet/free speech, media, opinion/news
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I took it very ill at the short that Mika took at the Pope this morning but after seeing this story at the memeorandum I am even more upset:

“Today we see in a truly terrifying way that the greatest persecution of the Church does not come from outside enemies, but is born of sin within the Church,” the pontiff told reporters on a plane bound for Portugal.

His comments were his most direct response to press questions, and some of his strongest words yet on the abuse scandal, says the BBC’s Vatican Correspondent, who is travelling with the Pope.

Benedict said the Church has “a very deep need” to acknowledge that it must do penance for its sins and “accept purification”.

However, he added that forgiveness should not be a substitute for justice.

MSNBC portrayed the pope’s remarks saying that the scandal represents the greatest persecution of the church but didn’t mention the rest of the quote saying that its origin is from within, that is: the scandal.

I very much hope that Mika was not aware of the rest of the quote and is a question of a producer giving her incomplete information. If she was aware and she is not ashamed as a journalist she ought to be.

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