to Saleh

Submitted by JustMe (United States), Feb 10, 2006 at 16:59

There's a common thread or misconception with Muslims I've noticed. I said this to Aya also.

We don't have a RIGHT to be respected automatically because we live in a free country. It's a right to speak freely. Many times people don't speak to others with the respect they might feel they deserve. There's nothing you can do about it. It's almost like Muslims have this huge chip on their shoulder about respect. North Korea has the same hang up. It's like a bratty child stomping its feet and DEMANDING respect. DEMANDING attention from the West and saying, "Hey, if you don't give me what I want, I'll hurt you. I'll throw a nuke at you."

Do you see Americans demanding respect? I'd say we pay plenty in taxes and our government gives the most charity all over the world with our hard-earned dollars. We are there to help other countries in their crises, even countries that don't like us. Many times, our generosity is met with a stab in the back. That's just how it is. Other countries try to threaten us in order to get more money. Still we can't DEMAND respect. We're secure in ourselves and our motives. We take a lot of hateful crap from all over the world. That's just how it is.

We have many rights in a free country, but sometimes you're not treated equally either. Sometimes people bring lawsuits if they feel it's really harmed them, and that's how it should work in a civilized society. I'm not big on lawyers and lawsuits, but I'd say in this case if you're so unhappy with the cartoons and who printed them, sue them and chill out. Then ask yourself why the three added cartoons were created by your own people to fan the fire and enrage you all even more. Pawns of your own leadership!! I've seen this brought up (about the added cartoons) several times on this site, but not once has it been addressed by the people who are so angry. Aren't you angry about the cartoons added by your own? Isn't that even worse?


****Of course you have the right to protest peacefully, but people are dying once again so it's not really just a peaceful protest****

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".