British Muslims protest in London - image

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Yeah. Folks in Pakistan apparently also are in dire need of some lessons on what belongs where. As of late, they burned down a KFC (again), good ole' Ronald McD (as shown on the picture), attacked a Citibank and a Pizza Hut. All that allegedly because of what a Danish newspaper published. Yet, these businesses are not Danish. Hell, they don't even so much as sell a Danish in any of these businesses.

The people causing all the problems have a gripe with the West in general. The freedom of expression for starters. We can all pretend they think ole Ronald is from Denmark if you want.

There, I edited my post...

Yeah. but the truth (sacastic or not) is that they are taking out their anger on the west for a perceived slight by Denmark. Stupid on more than one level.

Oh, I'm quite aware that this is not about Denmark or cartoons.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Yeah. Folks in Pakistan apparently also are in dire need of some lessons on what belongs where. As of late, they burned down a KFC (again), good ole' Ronald McD (as shown on the picture), attacked a Citibank and a Pizza Hut. All that allegedly because of what a Danish newspaper published. Yet, these businesses are not Danish. Hell, they don't even so much as sell a Danish in any of these businesses.

The people causing all the problems have a gripe with the West in general. The freedom of expression for starters. We can all pretend they think ole Ronald is from Denmark if you want.

There, I edited my post...

Yeah. but the truth (sacastic or not) is that they are taking out their anger on the west for a perceived slight by Denmark. Stupid on more than one level.

Oh, I'm quite aware that this is not about Denmark or cartoons.

I knew that you knew that...

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Yeah. Folks in Pakistan apparently also are in dire need of some lessons on what belongs where. As of late, they burned down a KFC (again), good ole' Ronald McD (as shown on the picture), attacked a Citibank and a Pizza Hut. All that allegedly because of what a Danish newspaper published. Yet, these businesses are not Danish. Hell, they don't even so much as sell a Danish in any of these businesses.

The people causing all the problems have a gripe with the West in general. The freedom of expression for starters. We can all pretend they think ole Ronald is from Denmark if you want.

There, I edited my post...

Yeah. but the truth (sacastic or not) is that they are taking out their anger on the west for a perceived slight by Denmark. Stupid on more than one level.

Stupid definitely. It illustrates a lack of education and understanding of the idiosyncracies of the western world.

But not necessarily any more stupid than the blanket assumptions that are frequently made about the entire islamic world on a daily basis.

I say, if progress is to be made long term- we need to do a lot more to reach out across cultural divides. Clearly there are issues on both sides, and we should start to examine our actions with regards to the 3rd world.

[Fischkoepfin 1]

Maybe someone has mentioned this but we recently passed a law which could surely be applied to this situation 'incitement to racial hatred' but then the police would have to have arrested them at the time and not left it until they could not be identified during a 'probe'. I also think there should be a law about burning a nations flag, for many of us that is as terrible as religious insults.

What ever happened to free speech?? Burning a flag is a very different act from burning down buildings, and to put all your national pride in a piece of cloth is somewhat reductive. It's not like a holy relic or something unless you consider nationalism your religion...

Meanwhile, in Pakistan. Die Ronald die.

As to the protesting Pakistanis: How come that these Pakistanis riot in the streets? Aren't they a major part of the coalition of the willing? Isn't Musharref (sp?) one of America's only friends in the region? Why doesn't he send in police to end the riots but instead lets them continue which almost seems like a form of encouragement (remember Syria where demonstrations only happen if the government wants them to?)?

[KTAN 0]

Maybe someone has mentioned this but we recently passed a law which could surely be applied to this situation 'incitement to racial hatred' but then the police would have to have arrested them at the time and not left it until they could not be identified during a 'probe'. I also think there should be a law about burning a nations flag, for many of us that is as terrible as religious insults.

What ever happened to free speech?? Burning a flag is a very different act from burning down buildings, and to put all your national pride in a piece of cloth is somewhat reductive. It's not like a holy relic or something unless you consider nationalism your religion...

I am very proud of my heritage and my culture and hence my flag. It is not the act it is the intent behind it, the destruction. That is why flags are so important in battle they are a symbol of pride in your nation. Often flag burning is merely the opening gambit to something more violent and more abusive.

Edited February 16, 2006 by KTAN

[mikeize 0]

If I go buy a flag and then I burn it or wipe my @ss with it or whatever... it's ridiculous to think that I don't have the right to do that. Also, if I want to draw a funny picture with jesus, mohammed, buddha, krishna, guru nanak, ronald mcdonald and david koresh all "gettin' it on" together- then post it on my website... again, why the hell not? Now, calling on others to commit murder... no, you certainly shouldn't be able to do that.

Why should your feelings about a flag/religion take precedent over my feelings about the same flag/religion? You say flag burning is a prelude to something worse..., well I feel just as strongly that flag WAVING is...

-mike