It's not the urinating on corpses, just as it wasn't the cartoons of Mohammed six years ago, that will end up getting people killed, but the steady breeze of publicity, continually feeding the animosity, that brings it to a fever pitch. by Richard in Japan
(conservative)
Sunday, January 22, 2012
In September 2005 a Danish newspaper printed 12 cartoons depicting Mohammed, the most sacred prophet of the world's most sensitive religion. They claimed that this was intended to spur discussion on the issue of press freedom, and whether fear of reprisal might lead to self-censorship on the topic of Islam.
Now that was stupid. According to Islamic culture, no depiction of the Prophet is allowed; not even a respectful one, let alone a cartoon. It was like throwing rocks at a beehive in order to encourage a debate with the bees.
The pusillanimous editor of the paper justified the move by describing the price we pay for living in a "modern, secular society"; according to him, "one must be ready to put up with insults, mockery and ridicule."
That was stupid too. An enlightened society is one that tolerates opposing views, not mocks them. If there are other cultures that don't practice our tolerance, all the more reason for us to practice enlightenment. Muslims have demonstrated a profound lack of humor concerning their religion, and a supreme willingness to kill over a perceived slight. It was like throwing gasoline on a fire in an attempt to teach the flames a lesson in civility.
Nonetheless, in October, November and December of that year, the protests were muted and restrained, mainly along diplomatic lines. Frank views were exchanged between ambassadors, legislators and clerics. Many Arab supermarkets removed Scandanavian products from their shelves.
Meanwhile, other newspapers decided to get in on the "debate", reprinting the offending cartoons. By January and February of 2006, what had started as a consumer boycott against Denmark devolved into riots at the Danish embassies of several countries. The final cost: millions of dollars in property damage, millions more in lost business, and a death toll in excess of one hundred. Worst of all, the two groups hate each other now more than ever before. The world is a more dangerous place because of the simple decision to run those cartoons, compounded by the hype that kept the controversy alive.
Six years go by. Most of the cartoonists live in hiding, terrified of the constant threats of retribution.
The original editor, having learned nothing from the carnage, portrays himself as a hero for the freedom of the press.
More recently, video footage has surfaced of American Marines urinating on what appear to be the bodies of slain Taliban fighters.
Now that was stupid. It's the insurgents who desecrate the bodies of American dead, not the other way around. America has the finest professional fighting force in the world, and United States Marines have always held their heads high in this company. This allegation must be investigated, and any violation must be punished. Those unwilling to follow the rules of war are unfit to wear the nation's uniform.
It is now vitally important for the rest of us to avoid adding to the hype. The military knows how serious this infraction can be, and they are certainly dealing with it. Meanwhile, we must stop making things worse by blathering on about it. We're already dealing with an enemy that makes no distinction between innocent and guilty. Just like six years ago, it will be the steady breeze of publicity, not the cartoons of Mohammed or the urinating on corpses, that will feed the flames and end up getting people killed.
(c) Kublai Khan Unlimited 2012.
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