A Turning Point...but in the Right Direction?
Reader comment on item: The West Stands Up for Its Customs

Submitted by Alex (United States), Feb 4, 2006 at 21:13

I think that the reactions of both sides to these cartoons do indeed signify a new turning point in the reaction of the West--particularly in Europe, obviously--to radical Islam's supremacist claims on Western culture. What worries me is that Europe's reaction may be more xenophobic, knee-jerk, overly-emotional, and defiant, rather than constructive and based on a coherent, well-thought out world view which has at its core the value of individual responsibility over that of collective belonging.

I am not entirely sure of this, and I think reactions in Europe to this cartoon may vary greatly, but I sincerely hope that Europe takes the initiative, working out the contradictions in its own policies (especially its pro-Palestinian stance) that have encouraged radical Islam, rather than viewing the Mohammed cartoon as a part of a defiant last stand before "Eurabia" becomes a reality.

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