[analphilosopher] Keith Burgess-Jackson: From Today's *New York Times*

[analphilosopher at lists.powerblogs.com]

Posted by Keith Burgess-Jackson:
>From Today's *New York Times*
http://www.analphilosopher.com/posts/1139365397.shtml


   To the Editor:

   Re "U.S. Says It Also Finds Cartoons of Muhammad Offensive" (news
   article, Feb. 4):

   The decision by major newspapers, including The New York Times, not to
   demonstrate support for free speech by printing cartoons that are
   offensive to some is an abdication of your responsibility.

   To suggest that it is irresponsible to allow free expression of ideas
   because it might incite a radical faction to violence validates the
   existence of these radicals, empowering them to impose their will on
   the world.

   The world need not be more accommodating of Islam, but rather Islam
   needs to fit into a world community filled with diverse opinions and
   points of view.

   As long as the global Muslim community supports and gives license to
   the radical imams, Islam will be subject to ridicule from the free
   world.

   It is up to the Muslim community to rein in these radicals; it is up
   to us to demonstrate by our actions that they cannot impose their will
   on the world.

   While we certainly do not need more violence in this world, we cannot
   compromise the very essence of the freedom we hold so dear by
   appeasing the radicals.

   Christopher Shea
   New York, Feb. 4, 2006