Feb. 04, 2006 - 19:50 MST

BERSERK OR WHAT ?

Brainless, or shooting from the administrative lip again ? There is an article in our Rocky Mountain News today by News Wire Services, which I shall quote in full:

U.S. CONDEMNS PROPHET CARTOONS

Irresponsible, says State Department

"The State Department criticized on Friday cartoon drawings in Europe of the Prophet Muhammad, calling them "offensive to the beliefs of Muslims," as outrage ballooned across the Muslim world."

"While recognizing the importance of freedom of the press and expression, State Department press officer Janell Hironimus said these rights must be coupled with press responsibility. Inciting religious or ethnic hatred in this manner is not acceptable," Hironimus said."

"In the Gaza Strip demonstrators demanded revenge against Denmark, which first published cartoon figures in September, and death for those they accuse of defaming Islam's holiest figure."

"In Iraq, the leading Shiite cleric denounced the drawings but also suggested militant Muslims were partly to blame for distorting the image of Islam."

"Some European newspapers reprinted the caricatures this week, prompting protests Friday in Britain, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Palestinian areas. In Sudan, some urged Al Qaida terrorists to target Denmark."

"Strike, strike, bin Laden," shouted some in a crowd of about 50,000 who filled a square in Khartoum, Sudan."

"The Danish government tried to contain the damage. Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller called Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and said the Danish government "cannot accept an assualt against Islam, according to Abbas office."

"Clerics in Palestinian areas called in Friday prayers for a boycott of Danish and European goods and the severing of diplomatic ties. Thens of thousands of incensed Muslims marched through Palestinian cities, burnming the Danish flag and calling for vengeance."

"Pakistan's parliament condemned the drawings as a "vicious, outrageous and provocative campaign." In Jakarta, Indonesia, more that 150 Muslims stormed a high-rise housing the Danish Embassy and tore down and burned the country's flag."

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In the first place what earthly right does our State Department have to come out with any comments about the rights of cartoonists to say what they want to say in their own country ?

In the second place, how dare any of the governments attack the right of free expression, by any of us about any of us ?

Is this part of my country's effort to limit what a person can say in public ? Or draw for the public ? Guess the political cartoonists better watch their step and be careful how they depict GWB, perhaps just straight line drawing of the steel jawed one.

When Heather and I hit COSTCO again, we'll have to see how much Danish stuff will fit our pantry and pocketbook.

I guess it would be possible to make it short and come up with a few thousand well chosen words, it is, I think, sufficient to say that this pig can't stand the stink of what our government is trying to do and wants for our sty to be cleaned.

What's with Washington types are they BERSERK OR WHAT ?

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