I just have to chime in with the rest of the world, and talk about this cartoon kerfluffle. Especially considering the news that Iran is holding a Holocaust cartoon contest.
While I might be offended by a Holocaust cartoon, the thought of that offense doesn't bring me to violence. It shows an appalling lack of taste, but whatever. I can be offended and find something tasteless without torching an embassy or calling for a trade embargo.
One of the foundation's of a democratic society is freedom of press; I always go back to Voltaire when issues like this come up: Though I may disagree with what you say, I will defend to death your right to say it. There's nothing else to say. I can think you're stupid, you're uninformed, you're ignorant, or you're just plain wrong, but one thing is for certain: you're allowed to say and write all the stupid/ignorant/wrong things you want. And I don't have to read/look/hear them if I find them awful.
And also, it seems to be a diversionary tactic created by a small group of somebodies to draw attention away from something else. The rioters are being manipulated. (Why the fuss now? The cartoons were originally printed in September. Seems like an important question.)
This is a nuanced situation, far more than "People saw cartoons. People reacted." Are we treating it that way?
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