Sunday, February 05, 2006

Onward to oblivion...

Stop press: edited Monday 06/02/2006...
As far as I know blasphemy is not a crime in any European country...
rioting, burning and death threats are.

Despite many protests and boycotts across the Muslim world (including deaths now reported in Afghanistan), some or all of the cartoons have now appeared in papers in the following European countries: Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Hungary, Norway and Poland. Added to Denmark and of course the Swedes won't be happy about having their embassy burnt down...and added to Jordan and New Zealand where the cartoons have also been shown (and Chile who also got their Embassy destroyed)...how many friends are these Muslims making in the real world i.e. the world we live in not some fantasy they seem to live?

See no evil?

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The Metropolitan Police said: "Arrests if necessary will be made at the most appropriate time. The Met has several different means of collecting the necessary evidence should it be required post-event. All complaints made to police will be passed to the Public Order Crime Unit for investigation."...I should hope so to!

I thought long and hard (no!) about posting about 'you know what'; I don't need to post links to articles because it's everywhere: every news channel, every newspaper/ website/ newsblog/ radio, even on our not so well known personal blogs...and now owsblog as well...what's the real problem and who would have seen the cartoons if there had not been so much fuss!
This may have caused more trouble:
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...but I think this one is much funnier!
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Some of the banners and placards carried in the protests have been quite shocking, taking Little Green Football's examples from Yahoo news here and here and the image below really make me feel uneasy...and defensive...

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S.O.
P.S. Some of you may think this is all a bit out of character for me, or maybe not but either way the news is shocking!

15 comments:

Gavin Corder said...

Too bloody right! At last Span has an opinion! (I still think my image of the prophet with a danish as a turban takes the pastry, though! Shows it up for what it is!)

Lucy said...

The pathos is cutting. They just don't see the irony do they.

Span Ows said...

Hi Lucy, I know it is laughable even though it is very serious, and today things seem to be getting worse not better.

There was a thread started by Gavin the other day stating how religions seem to be infested with complete nutters...well they're starting to prove it!!!

Some would say that Christians are the same and have done worse but that but that was before modern enlightenment: communication and technology and science, centuries ago the uneducated DID live in AWE...but not now...except for the nutters.

Gavin, your 'Danish' was topping...;-)

....anothe rword verification wonder: bnpmp...:-)

flyingfinn said...

For every act of incitement, and violence they commit because of these cartoons, the more they are making the cartoons come true.

This has very little to do with the publications anymore. It's all about some extremists stirring-up anti-Western sentiment. If it wasn't this, it would have been something else. But once again, the many will suffer for the actions of a few.

Span Ows said...

Finny, you and Lucy are both right: I cannot believe that they do not see the hypocrisy and irony in their actions.

Gavin Corder said...

Your ord verification thingy is scary! Did you see McIntyre Investigates Nasi Hate Music on TV last night? No you wouldn't in Spain with no telly. But it was quite chilling really how "White Power" movements are on the rise globally. Curiously enough for the Eurosceptics amongst us they seem to be on an Americo-Euro-Circuit...Much money raised is for the bnp although they are distancing themselves from shaven headed sieg-hieling boot boys. Curiously enough in the USA the freedom to hate is enshrined in the constitution...

Span Ows said...

Hi Gavin, yes it isn't the first time it's been a bit close to make me think we're being watched (ooooer)

Freedom to hate...but within the laws of the land.

Span Ows said...

Very interesting you should say that gavin, my Iran trip is postponed (but NOT for the obvious reasons...actually because I cannot travel as I had mt passport nicked and so my visa is delayed (remeber the hoohah last time I went....left a 'holy' book on the plane as well...;-)...) but also many of the people I had expected to meet will be in...guess where...the US!...antway I read your comment and then read this...very interesting re "pushing the boundaries of free speech"...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4688466.stm

Kayfer Kettle said...

Hello Span.

I believe I am a moderate, but more importantly, a fair person.

My core belief is that all are born equal and all deserve their basic human rights.

I believe that people should have the right to voice objections, and to peaceful protest, just as stongly as I believe that people have the right to verbally criticise anything they want in the first damn place, to have provoked said protest.


I am also happy to live in peace, shoulder to shoulder, with ANYONE who wants to do the same.
I hate no-one.

But I am very glad you have posted on this subject, as I have found myself lost for words, and can find nothing in defence of this 2nd most worrying and sickening turn of events (the first of course, being the London bombings in July).

In fact, I am confused as to how I can no longer even speak up for those I believe are moderate and peaceful souls in the Muslim community, despite the fact that I know this to be wrong and unfounded. I can only speak for those Muslims I personally know, and those that my closest people know.

I see images of young Muslim women who threaten the 'real' holcaust, and wonder if they even realise that the fundamental freedoms they enjoy here, would be denied them in the countries and regimes and ideologies they so viciously march for.

I am incensed, and I'm ranting....I know.

The damage these people have done to their own is another element that really makes me sick, while they shout their shit and make good people question their neighbour.

AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!

I'm really quite gutted.

Gavin Corder said...

Yes Span, re your link, and how daft is that? Iran: "We're angry with Danes. So let's see how much further we can insult Jews". Oh so clever! Not!

Gavin Corder said...

PS How are you getting on with the 'oley book? Let it not be forgotten that 'tis a book on loan, and that much drinking is required on its return!

Span Ows said...

Katey - agree entirely with all of that, especially the AAAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHH!!!!!...;-)

Gavin - it's so F***ing incredible isn't it...I still find that and many similar tales completely bonkers.

Re book...rereading in rotation with sevral other books!!!...but the tipples (T-T-TTIPPLES!!! drinkies) are a cert.

Gavin Corder said...

Not that you are a big boozer...

jades said...

hi. i think your blog is really cool and intellectual. btw, kikay is a filipino word for someone who is too feminine in her ways. thanx for reading my blog. hope to hear from you some time again.Ü

Span Ows said...

Hi Sophie and thanks for the comments...I'll pop in again soon....sometimes I'm accused of being someone who is too feminine in HIS ways!!!...but not often!...;-)