Cartoonists, Islam, and The Freedom of Expression.

I have been intrigued by the uproar twelve cartoons of the so-called Prophet Muhammed have stirred in the Muslim world. Like everything else, any publicity is good publicity. I know more people have seen them because of this controversy than would have if the Muslims would have shown some tolerance.

As a cartoonist I would like to add my voice to the debate; as small and insignificant as it may be. To me, the cartoonist's main purpose is to find humor in everyday things and convey that humor through their art. Sometimes that humor is edgy and can be offensive. Cartoons are the opinion of the artist. And that is all.

Take the Donald Rumsfeld cartoon that is also in the news right now. The cartoonist is trying to express his opinion that Rumsfeld downplays the violence of the war. Some have said that it is a tastesless, offensive cartoon. That's the thing about cartoons. I find that people either get them or they don't. Pretty black and white if you ask me. I'm of a conservative bent and I don't believe that Rumsfeld cares so little for an injured soldier. But I also know that it is an exaggerated take on a certain reality but NOT THE REALITY itself. I found it humorous in the way I see the characters in a play humorous.

As for the Muhammed cartoons, my reality does not include the admonition not to depict Muhammed, I have no trouble with the 12 cartoons. I do however take issue with the response of the Muslims to them. Come on, guns and bomb threats? Let me remind the Muslims reading this that you have NOT taken over the world yet. And because the violent ones continue to kill in the name of Allah, their actions ARE accurately depicted in those cartoons. Your anger and desire to squelch all other voices only makes them more believable.

I, as a Christian, have no trouble with finding humor in my own religion. I have poked fun at many things in my religion that are obvious flaws in it due to the humanity that carries out that religion. The funny things are true although exaggerated. In my opinion the 12 cartoons are true because they editorialize not just the believers actions, but the very religion of the Prophet himself.

Until the Muslim community as a whole decries it's own violence and utterly shuts down groups in their midst like Hamas, Al Queda, the PLO, and terrorist friendly states like Iran and Syria I see no reason to accept or respect the religion of Islam. We need more than just the lip service of a few but real action toward stopping the violence and accelerating the tolerance of other religions. But I see little chance of that, being their own scripture requires the killing of infidels. Until that happens it's all just a load of "Holy Crap!" to me.

Michelle Malkin takes a look at the hypocritical American media's response to the controversy here.

Apologize or "be past"--A blogger is theatened over cartoons!

Iranians say the darndest things over at Judeaopundit.

Info on the International Day of Anger at Outside the Beltway.

Apologize for freedom? The Cartoon Network at Captain's Quarters.

**** censorship from the right? Over this article : which had the titled censored to...PPPP



File Under : 1 cartoonist, 12 cartoons, and 72 virgins.

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