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January 29, 2006
Is free speech a crusade too?
Probably aglow in contemplation of the recent election, the Palestinians now want the Danes out of their territory: The Danish Crusaders? Not so fast, Mr. Al Aksa. Historically, the only crusades in which Denmark was known to have participated were the Northern Crusades. These Baltic conversion missions were not directed against Islam, but against Pagans in nearby Finland, Estonia, Lithuania and Poland. (And this interesting essay looks for evidence of Scandinavian involvement with the better known Crusades in the Mideast -- known as the Holy Land -- but finds none.) Nevertheless, the evil, crusading Danes have to go, and the al-Aksa activists claim this has no relationship to the recent election: The activist stressed the demonstration was not related to recent political developments in the territories and to Hamas' win in the elections.Regarding the latter point, Glenn Reynolds decried the campaign against the Danes earlier, asking "Where's the anger?" and linking to this post which describes the remarkable (and unfortunately nearly unilateral) courage of the Danes in standing up to the Saudis: The cultural editor of the Jyllands-Posen has remained unapologetic, saying he put out the call in response to a worrying trend he had observed in the Western media: self-censorship. The paper has received bomb threats and the editors and the cartoonists have received death threats from adherents of the Religion of Peace but all have stood their ground.It's not every day that I read something that makes me proud of my Norwegian ancestry. I'm glad Scandinavians have started a Crusade for free speech. The world could use more of it. ADDITIONAL NOTE: While I don't know how closely the al-Aksa Brigade works with Hamas, I read here that "Hamas finances, trains and sends Fatah`s Al Aksa Martyrs and Popular Committee militants to attack." I also think it's worth remembering that Hamas is largely Saudi funded. UPDATE: A commenter below notes that Norway is a mixed bag because they recognize the Hamas government. But actually, it's worse than I thought, as Norway's left-wing foreign minister has gone so far as to apologize for Norwegian newspaper cartoons which had expressed solidarity with Denmark's: (Via Little Green Footballs.)Let it be clear that the Norwegian government condemns every expression or act which expresses contempt for people on the basis of their religion or ethnic origin. Norway has always supported the fight of the UN against religious intolerance and racism, and believes that this fight is important in order to avoid suspicion and conflict. Tolerance, mutual respect and dialogue are the basis values of Norwegian society and of our foreign policy. Definitely a mixed bag. Sounds like the voters in Norway need to make some changes. (No wonder their government is keeping the apology secret.) UPDATE: Don't miss this post by Daily Pundit's Lastango. The political situation in Norway is more appalling than I thought. MORE: Protests over the cartoon have escalated to the point of beatings as well as gunmen seizing an EU office: BEIRUT, Lebanon - The controversy over Danish caricatures of Prophet Muhammad escalated Monday as gunmen seized an EU office in Gaza and Muslims appealed for a trade boycott of Danish products. Denmark called for its citizens in the Middle East to exercise vigilance.So far, the Danes have refused to budge. Good for them! posted by Eric on 01.29.06 at 12:26 PM
Comments
We are holding up in Denmark ... for now! BTW; I agree no concessions can and should be made! claus vistesen · January 29, 2006 03:46 PM Unfortunately, Norway has also just come out in full support of the new Hamas government, so they're clearly a rather mixed bag. Aaron Davies · January 29, 2006 09:36 PM That's a very interesting summary, one that says a great deal about how information and issues move around the Arab world. FWIW, here’s our own most http://www.dailypundit.com/2005/12/fjordmans_parting_shot.php "> recent post on how things are going in Norway. It’s grim. Lastango · January 30, 2006 04:22 AM Don't forget that the Norwegian Finance Minister recently backed her party's call for a boycott of Israel! Chefen · January 30, 2006 06:46 AM What exactly is a "terrorist religion"? A religion that terrorists subscribe to? Most subscribe to Islam. OK, check. Is it a religion that advocates voilence against non-believers? Yes, Islam does that. Check. Want to know more about Islam. Check out www.faithfreedom.org. Finally, some claim that freedom of speech and expression does not extend to criticising religions and hurting religious peoples' sentiments. But then shouldn't religious freedom also be similarly circumscribed? Why is it that Islam can have the "religious freedom" to heap invective and vile epithets on idol-worshippers like me -- a peaceful person myself -- and vow to kill me (merely because I don't bow to their Allah) without any provocation? How about calling the Koran (Quran) for the piece of terrorist manual it is and prohibiting its publication? The moment Denmark capitulates and apologizes officially, I will know that Europe can be written off: it has lost to the terrorist dogma called Islam. Idolworshipper · February 1, 2006 05:11 AM Demark are hypocrites. Why is it still illegal to publish NAZI cartoons there. Freedom of speech my ass, its total crap. cruxis · February 4, 2006 09:31 PM I beleive that Christians in all the word should work har to initiate a positive dialogue with the muslim nation, to honestly tell them about Jesus and Christianity. It is to be known to everybody in the world the Islam invites to KILL non beleivers, and is not democratic at all, for this Christians have to do their job with all love and respect to their brothers and sisters in Islam. Ziad · February 6, 2006 10:01 AM All the governments should have made a detailed study of Islam and what it intends in short and long run before they start giving permits and visa's to Muslims. All the info can be found at www.investigateislam.com Ziad · February 6, 2006 10:07 AM |
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Well, I've switched to Tuborg Gold for beer - even though I prefer stouts. It's the only thing I can find locally that's imported from Denmark (aside from furniture, which I don't need).