At What Price?

When the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published 12 cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad - including one in which he is shown wearing a turban shaped as a bomb with a burning fuse - it expected a strong reaction in this country of 5.4 million people.

But the paper was unprepared for the global furor inspired by the cartoons, which provoked demonstrations in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir, death threats against the artists, condemnation from 11 Muslim countries and a rebuke from the United Nations...(Herald Tribune Europe, 01 January 2006)
"It's appalling!..before it was anti-semitic prejudice..now it's anti-islamic prejudice!" said Bill Clinton, the former President of USA.
"It's prostitution of journalism!" Strong words from the leader of more than 200,000 strong Muslims community in Denmark.
Almost 4 months ago, a group of artists did a series of caricatures of the Prophet..and got it published in the local national papers...all in the name of Freedom of Expression.(check out "Freedom of Racism" "http://sabbah.biz/mt/tag/Middle+East")
A snap poll was conducted and majority of Danes supported their Prime Minister's stand not to make a public apology inspite of worldwide's outcry of indignation ..especially from nations of Middle East.
Freedom of expression..gives one the license to slander, to ridicule..etc and fret not..the law is on your side! What baloney!
To me, the whole episode is cheap, deliberate provocation!
I think if you want to play with fire..be prepared to pay the heavy price of backlash...for a start, boycott of danish dairy products already in action..and worst..their action endangers the lives of their fellow brothers/sisters in the country and working overseas! If you need to draw...please use your brain too!