Deja vu all over again
Reader comment on item: The London Markaz

Submitted by Barbara (United States), Feb 13, 2006 at 18:10

My skin crawls when I read apologists for the Muslim fury bursting across the world against the "arrogant disdain" of the cartoons for Muslim "sensitivity" . A bit of "critical thinking" reveals that the cartoons are, in fact, not at all "blasphemous" but a plea for mercy - "Please don't bomb us any more" - and are addressing the one quality that separates human beings from animals: our sense of humor.

The ever so-Europeanized Tariq Ramadan at Oxford and the Islamists at The New School are asking for "dialogue" with the West. . But, how can anyone communicate with an interlocuter who says, "Let's talk things over. There's nothing like free speech to clear the air; but if you say anything I don't like, I' ll cut off your head."

Muslims need to have a real, heart-to-heart talk with themselves about the true character of their beloved Mohammed. ...

Yes, by all means let's have a "dialogue", but not until our Muslim interlocutors have explained what they find so venerable in Mohammed and his merciless, blood-thirsty tactics.
Not only does Islam betray its lack of sense of humor but of a sense of humanity.

In this regard we can compare the Judeo tradition in the story of Cain who was not cut to pieces but forgiven for his crime. And beside Cain is Orestes - the Cain of Classical tragedy who was finally granted respite from the Furies.

For, indeed, the Greek and the Judaic are streams of the same profound understanding, flowing from who can say? what common source - sharing centuries of thought and experience about the human condition. Out of that source down through the ages has developed our precious, priceless Western Civilization

My very soul trembles at the casual way so many commentators and analysts are ready to put it aside, abandon it for the sake of being "politically correct" - sensitive to the barbaric demands of Islam. Yes, by all means they tell us, you have a right to "Free Speech" - but you must be "responsible". Hold your tongue or lose your head.

barbara

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