Once again, the pen proves mightier than the sword.

[rgallitan]

After extensive research (by which I mean catching a few minutes of my classic rock station's morning show), I suddenly realized that the Mohammed cartoons are going to get us out of the Iraq War

Comments

[lunameow]

Sadly, the other option for dealing with bullies (at least, at a more local level) is sarcasm and/or wit. But that only gets you fired.

The most disappointing thing I've ever heard my mother say (and remember, this is a woman who thinks Bush is a demigod, so I've heard quite a lot of disappointing things come from her in the past six years) is that I should have kept my mouth shut and my head down while the new boss bullied everyone and treated them like shit. And the truly sad part is that she's right. I went back to get my stuff, and whenever the boss walked by any of them, they literally hunched down and lowered their voices... just because she was walking by. They used me as an example to keep the others "in line", and I can't decide if I'm more disgusted with them for doing it, or with myself for causing it.

Sorry, didn't mean to ramble like that, but it seems to me that it's very much the same thing that you're talking about. Whether individuals or large groups, those without the power are going to get shit on.

[mrbogey]

There's words and actions. Both quite different. Words can provoke action but you have to keep context. The old phrase "some people need killin'" is derisively mocked by a lot of people who feel violence isn't worth anything. But why? Because we realize that there's a level of reasonable response.

Being provocative serves a legitimate purpose some times. In the case of the cartoons it's purpose is to see how reasonable the response would be. Should we live in fear of offending a religion and being killed for it? No. We absolutely should not.

You yourself have definitely mocked and abused Christian ideas. You've done more then your fair share of stirring the fire. We all have stirred the fire. Why be sensible and respectful now?

[rgallitan]

I think I've been more consistent than you give credit for. Back at CC, I was one of the more easy-going. And I made it strict practice to never go into the Christian folder without being on best behavior (and I hardly ever went there anyway). My harsh words were reserved for those who came to us, seeking to stir the fire themselves.

Another important distinction is that my harsh words were reserved for the intersection of religion on science or culture. I will openly attack religion at the points where I feel it has an adverse effect on my own society - the earth is under 10,000 years old, etc. - homosexuals are immoral, etc. In other words, any belief that is scientifically or logically unsound and affects the world I live in is fair game. I do NOT attack the sacred - I do not ridicule Christians simply for believing in God or Jesus, or for wearing a cross, or going to church, or for holding any of those things sacred. I do not ridicule them for praying, and if I am at a meal where grace is being said, I lower my head and

[mrbogey]

The most sacred concept of Christianity is the birth of Jesus and I can't recall specifics from 3 years ago but I'm willing to bet at some point you had to have cracked a joke about it. We had wars over some of the boards that Christians stumbled upon. The common and true response was "this is the atheist boards... don't like it, leave".

Well this isn't an Islamic state that had the cartons. It's a progressive Western country. If muslims don't like progressive western ideals then they're free to leave.

Would you support blue laws? No, of course not. So why support censorship?

[rgallitan]

This is not, by and large, a Jewish state. Would you support the printing of cartoons ridiculing the Holocaust in our newspapers? More to the point-- if yes, would you roll your eyes at Jews who got angry about it?

[summerhorse]

Hear hear

[sethgecko13]

We're so cunt-y. :-]

[irishgypsie]

Okay, so I'm the moron who hasn't been following the news...what's this cartoon everyone is talking about, and why is there such an uproar?

On another note...when you mentioned the Dennys incident I just hung my head in shame. I shouldn't have let him attack you like that. I'm so sorry.

[rgallitan]

Cartoon Crisis