Still on the Lack of Understanding theme

Submitted by Paul (Canada), Feb 16, 2006 at 23:06

Bader S,

Thank you for your comments. This is exactly what a free exchange of ideas is all about.

However, you misunderstand me. I did not say that "it is up to the attacked to understand the motives of his/her attacker". I simply pointed out that, while you feel very comfortable in saying that "It is unfortunate that a lack of understanding by the West of how Muslims feel about these cartoons still remain", the reciprocal is also true, that is: "It is unfortunate that a lack of understanding by the Muslims of how the West feel about these cartoons still remain".

So, while in your original post you point out how the West should feel sorry and apologize, I pointed out that (1) thanks to freedoms such as freedom of religion, expression, peaceful assembly and freedom of association, Muslims in the West are able to worship in peace and even open their doors to unbelievers, and (2) that we dispute our grievances in the court-of-law, and that it is not, in general, an overnight process.

I should have added that the motivation behind these drawings is to actually point out how religion is being highjacked by extremist groups and being used as a tool for destruction, and is political in nature.

Finally, the ban on the photos you mention was never a law; it was an arbitrary imposition by the Pentagon, under Bush's influence, which, under the guise of protecting the pivacy of mourning families, was most certainly politically motivated. Under the "Freedom of Information Act" (what a concept!), many of these images have long been released. It is an interesting point though: this ban, even if it was a law, would not have any meaning whatsoever to someone who's not an American citizen and does not leave in American soil. In essence, a guy in, say Iran, would be able to show, piss on, spit at, chew and burn the photos. And that is precisely the point of "turning-the-table": a lot of people in th West are simply saying: "look, you guys are asking us to obey a rule that does not apply here." Now, I ask you a question: why a newspaper in Egypt (http://egyptiansandmonkey.blogspot.com/2006/02/boycott-egypt.html) was able to publish the cartoons, and nobody is burning Egyptian flags? Now, **that** is a double standard.

Cordially,

Paul

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