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International-UN-NGOs
Conferees pledge to avert recurrence of "cartoon crisis"
2006-02-26
The "Alliance of Civilizations Conference," held in the Qatari capital on Saturday, issued a statement prohibiting acts of abuse against religions and called for respecting religious symbols.
Sounds good, except that it conflicts fundamentally with the concept of a free press, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and probably freedom from unreasonable search and siezure.
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, who arrived here earlier today to take part in the conference, read a statement on behalf of the conferees, expressing deep regret at the grave harm inflicted with the recently-published cartoons against Prophet Mohammed (PTUI PBUH), voiced sorrow at the victims who had fallen and damage inflicted in ensuing protests in Islamic countries.
Kofi has no concept of what "freedom" actually is. And I have zippo sympathy for the dead rioters.
The statement said participants in the conference pledged to adopt a "common strategy to prevent recurrence of the crisis of the cartoons," alluding to the caricatures that were published by some European newspapers, infuriating millions of Muslims throughout the world. The news conference was attended by the foreign ministers of Qatar, Turkey, Spain, the Secretary General of the Arab League and the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). The conference was aimed at promoting greater understanding between Muslim countries and Western societies, and was organized in response to an initiative by Turkey and Spain.
You won't promote greater understanding between Muslim countries and the civilized world by pushing for blasphemy laws.
Posted by:Seafarious

#16  Just try to get them to admit there have been any statements antagonistic to Jews. That'll put an end to the meeting.
Posted by: PlanetDan   2006-02-26 19:26  

#15  I hope history will show that Bush was pulling his punch a bit in anticipation of forming another alliance to take on Iran or some such comparable action. Otherwise Bush's performance on the cartoons was disappointing.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2006-02-26 12:52  

#14  "While the press has self-censored, I'd bet if the Bush Administration had asked them not to print the cartoons, they would have done so before the request was finished. And the SC would stand with the press if a case was brought."

I agree. The left are lily-livered and deranged.

But I go further. I think the US has an obligation to ensure free speech is protected and to fill its shoes of leadership in the world on this. That Muslims' self image has been hurt in the cartoon rows is no reason for free speech to be discouraged. This self-examination in the Muslim community MUST take place, and the way it happens is likely to be "hurtful" and "disrespectful". Sadly I think Australia and Denmark are taking bolder stances for freedom and the preservation of the Western way of life than the US government is currently doing. That does not discount in any way the courage it took Bush to meet this challenge in the early days, when it was very difficult to do so, or the sacrifices and efforts of our armed forces.
Posted by: Jules   2006-02-26 12:37  

#13  Jules, governmental cooperation and government stopping the private printing of something are two different things. While the press has self-censored, I'd bet if the Bush Administration had asked them not to print the cartoons, they would have done so before the request was finished. And the SC would stand with the press if a case was brought.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2006-02-26 12:28  

#12  Perhaps the muslims should quit being hypocrites and practice what they preach by stopping the daily religious vilification of non-muslims. Also it's heartening to know Andalusia was the only non-muslim country to participate. But then I am sure the muslims would dispute my contention that Andalusia is non-muslim.
Posted by: ed   2006-02-26 12:25  

#11  "Nothing the UN does has no bearing on the Bill of Rights, much less trumps it."

Except perhaps one thing-accommodation from our leaders, using words like "respecting others' religions". Nimble and 6, when "respecting others' religions" means oblique approval of silencing views critical of religion, instead of accomodating those critical views, we have yielded.
Posted by: Jules   2006-02-26 12:21  

#10  Kofi has no concept of what "freedom" actually is.

Sure he does. So long as he's free to skim from the UN, collect bribes, and abuse his position, all's right with the world.
Posted by: Robert Crawford   2006-02-26 12:10  

#9  any
Posted by: 6   2006-02-26 11:40  

#8  Nothing the UN does has no bearing on the Bill of Rights, much less trumps it.
Posted by: 6   2006-02-26 11:39  

#7  I suspect Roberts, Scalia, Alito and Thomas could convince at least one other justice to agree that nothing the UN does trumps the first amendment. Scalia especially would love to tell the UN and Euro helpers where to put it.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2006-02-26 10:41  

#6  "The statement said participants in the conference pledged to adopt a "common strategy to prevent recurrence of the crisis of the cartoons..."

Plain talk-a prohibition on religious cartoons.

Once this "Alliance" takes the pledge from the conference and insinuates it into politcal bodies like the UN, I have a real question whether our government will take the stand it must against this prohibition.
Posted by: Jules   2006-02-26 10:30  

#5  The Deconquista is well under way. How soon will Zappy make his Hadj?
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2006-02-26 10:19  

#4  I'm sure they (and Koffi) made damn suse Islam had an exemption in the fine print.

Probably something along the line that practicing religion (i.e. Islam) trumps it - and since murder, rape, killing infidels, slavery, pedophilia, etc.. are all an integeral part of Islam --- Its exempt.
Posted by: CrazyFool   2006-02-26 10:03  

#3  Do they understand such a demand would apply to them as well? Immediate recognition of Israel. Immediate permission to build churches and worship in any faith - free of harm.

Have they really thought this might apply to them as well? No, huh.
Posted by: Hupomoger Clans9827   2006-02-26 09:42  

#2  All we have to do is give them what they want, to the letter, and everything will be fine. Short of that we're going to have to deal with this disease we call islam. Oops! gotta go, time to feed my pet pig Allah.
Posted by: Whealet Angoth7913   2006-02-26 08:20  

#1  Isn't Mr. Annan being paid great sums of money at regular intervals to work? Did he ask for unpaid leave to make regretful statements on subjects outside his area of responsibility?
Posted by: trailing wife   2006-02-26 06:02  

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