Is it April first?
Evidently Muslims around the globe are really torqued off at Denmark, tearing up the Danish flag, even burning boxes of Danish cheese. Now THAT'S a statement that tells me they're through dicking around - the plane into building thing, yeah, that was bad, but burning cheese? "Okay, okay, you have my undivided attention, just please dear christ stop burning the cheese!"
This article reads like the tragicomedy that is so much of what we've come to view as relations between the West and the Middle East. It's ridiculous that they're so pissed, but then again, they are really pissed, but then again, they seem a bit over sensitive, but then again, they're furious with Denmark, a country so nice, it's positively nerdy, and on, and on, and on.
This article reads like the tragicomedy that is so much of what we've come to view as relations between the West and the Middle East. It's ridiculous that they're so pissed, but then again, they are really pissed, but then again, they seem a bit over sensitive, but then again, they're furious with Denmark, a country so nice, it's positively nerdy, and on, and on, and on.
posted by jim at 2/03/2006 09:04:00 PM
2 Comments:
'the leader of the Palestinian group Hamas called the cartoons "an unforgivable insult" that merited punishment by death.'
C'mon now, punishable by death?
"There is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God."
(in true Tom Leykis style) Really?
'"We will redeem our prophet Muhammad with our blood!" they chanted.'
Seriously now, what the f**k gets into people?
When I was a kid, and first learned of the Islamic faith, I was really in awe. The practices I observed, like how the women kept themselves covered in public, weren't symbols of extremism, but virtuous examples of modesty, self-discipline, self-sacrifice and self-respect.
As I got older, and learned more about Islamic countries' legal strictness, in particular the 'eye for an eye' doctrine that was practiced, I was even more impressed. I can remember thinking that there had to be very little crime in those countries where a hand would be cut off if one was caught stealing. I could only imagine what would happen to people caught raping and murdering. Seemed like a good system to me.
But as an adult, I started to meet people that had immigrated from Middle Eastern countries and learned that all was not as wonderful as I'd visualized.
Those women I admired, covered head to toe in black, didn't necessarily do so because of religious pride, or by choice, but compelled to by a tyrannical society that placed little worth on their desires, hopes and dreams. And because of their second-class status, abuse, rape and murder was a constant threat from those that they deem to be their 'love ones'.
And that 'eye for an eye' shit? It's just that; another form of totalitatianism, but on a deeper, more spiritual level.
I can definitely appreciate the offense those in the Islamic world feel as a result of the disrespectful depiction of their most honored prophet. What I can't appreciate is their unbalanced reaction. Burning the Danish and Norwegian embassies? WTF?!!! These people are guests in your country! And when the hell has the Norwegians ever offended anybody? Are they still even a soveriegn nation?
I don't lump every person of Islamic belief into this ridiculous display of extremism, but those that did and do partake in this ignominious form of radicalism only serves to reinforce the stereotypes promoted by the real enemies of Islam. They make it easier for those unfamiliar with Islam to believe that everybody in the Middle East are a bunch of hyper-sensitive, violent, 'it's our way or the highway' assholes.
And that's not true.
But if those jackasses who continue to make a fool of themselves for the sake of their religion, I fear ultimately they will get what they came looking for, a fight. And it won't be a noble, honorable, righteous conflict of cultures to redeem the good name of Muhammad, or Islam... but a straight, lower-east-side asskicking where no one will feel sorry for them because they were a bunch of dicks in the first place.
The only thing I can suggest to them is;
'Dude, they're just a bunch of cartoons. Learn to pick your battles.'
'Lower east side asskicking....' Perfect! Definitely good advice that would fall on definitely deaf ears.
I just finished The House of Sand and Fog. Not just a frightening admonition to not make any mistakes if you're part of a beauracracy; there was also a description of an honor killing that was chilling. I didn't see the movie, but the book is worth the read.
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