Absolutely the right idea -- with one flaw.

Submitted by Andy (United States), Sep 22, 2012 at 01:05

If only there were more journalists who had the guts to make a wider call for publishing the cartoons! Even if very few media outlets (if any) would have the guts to answer it.

The flaw here is effectively equating publishing them with burning Korans. Not because it would (further) inflame Islamists' poor little hurt feelings -- screw 'em. But there's a huge difference between refusing to be intimidated and creating a deliberate provocation. Even putting aside the troubling feeling of surrendering the high ground, descending to the enemy's level is simply impractical, playing his game in his schoolyard. 'You burned our flag? We'll burn your book!' would only project weakness (and did I mention they didn't just burn our flag, but our embassies?)

Plus, it'd be be too extreme an about-face for the American people to absorb, including because we're not by nature mean. It would irritate our allies. And it would just plain dilute the message.

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