In most of Europe we have seen how soon free speech has crumbled away. In Norway, the editor of the Christian periodical Magazinet received death threats against his family and he quickly apologized to the local
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| British Muslims, February 3, 2006. |
In Sweden, the authorities have taken down a web site for showing the twelve cartoons - not just once, but twice. The Finnish Prime Minister has apologized publicly because an "extreme patriotic" site showed the twelve cartoons
In England neither television nor newspapers have showed the cartoons, but BBC has shown the fake cartoons and falsely attributed them to Jyllands-Posten. The streets of London, Paris and Antwerp have been full of hateful demonstrators shouting death threats against the Western World - with the police watching passively
In Belgium, Holland and Spain, centuries old carnival traditions are cancelled. In Italy, a minister was fired because of his choice of underwear.
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| Friday, October 14, 2005. Prayer in connection with a demonstration in front of city hall, Copenhagen |
In the USA, a single magazine, no newspapers and no television channels have showed the twelve cartoons. In Canada a single magazine has showed some of the cartoons. Editors have been fired in France, Jordan, Russia and other countries too numerous to mention.
In contrast, Denmark has been the proverbial eye of the hurricane. Danish Islamic Society were only able to get 17.000 signatures on their complaint (out of an estimated 200,000 Danish Muslims) and demonstrations have been peaceful and quiet.
Once the double-tongued imam had been exposed with their picture of a French pig caller, all their support fell away - and lots of Muslims who were tired of being represented by the imams let their own voices be heard.
This is a story I have neglected to tell - so I will hurry up and make amends.
