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Since that was not the analogy I made, your reponse is more than a skosh off target. But lets run with yours now.
To the extent that we are talking about the deeply held religious beliefs of more than a billion people... guess what. It is very much like laws of gravity. We know exactly how a projectile is going to behave when you throw it. In the same way, we know exactly how some number of Muslims are going to behave when we promote "Draw Mohammad Day."
We have learned to accommodate the laws of gravity rather than pretend they could be changed easily (or at all), and in so doing we have achieved space flight and landed men on the moon. We did not accomplish these things by repeatedly jumping head first off tall buildings.
This isn't like combating the laws of gravity. The muslims (or sympathizers) who are threatening this individual can be easily controlled or neutralized if necessary. The fact they show outrage is irrelevant because if they cannot make good on their actions, it is inconsequential. In fact, draw Mohammed day should also be expanded to "draw Mohammed eating spare ribs" day. That will really bring out all the crazies.
Actually it didn't, and that's what people are missing. Yes, she started it but she quickly realized that it was a much bigger thing than she thought and backed down. And that's perfectly understandable when you have been raised in a society that doesn't kill you for expressing an idea. Unfortunately some nutjobs have decided to make her an example and/or just focused their sick minds upon her and won't let it go. And THAT is unacceptable.
I am sorry, but when you call it "understandable," I could not really disagree more.
I cannot possibly understand why anybody in their right minds could have anticipated any other outcome. Sure, they might have been lucky. It might have been a hot news day and buried their efforts on page six, thus sparing them the notice of the nutjobs. But any person with a grasp on reality would have anticipated that the likely response was exactly what it was, since that was the response against which they were explicitly protesting.
Do I think its awful that the woman has to go into hiding? Sure I do. For god's sake I have studies Islam in detail and consider it to be a disaster to humanity in general and Muslims in particular.
But I have no sympathy for her, since she is an adult and actions have consequences. She cannot feign surprise over hers.
I am sorry, but when you call it "understandable," I could not really disagree more.
I cannot possibly understand why anybody in their right minds could have anticipated any other outcome. Sure, they might have been lucky. It might have been a hot news day and buried their efforts on page six, thus sparing them the notice of the nutjobs. But any person with a grasp on reality would have anticipated that the likely response was exactly what it was, since that was the response against which they were explicitly protesting.
Do I think its awful that the woman has to go into hiding? Sure I do. For god's sake I have studies Islam in detail and consider it to be a disaster to humanity in general and Muslims in particular.
But I have no sympathy for her, since she is an adult and actions have consequences. She cannot feign surprise over hers.
I wouldn't have anticipated it and I'm not an idiot. She isn't a politician or lawmaker or diplomat, just a private citizen. I would have anticipated some chuckles and comments by my friends then having it fade to page 2 of my personal website. But that's just me. Other people picked up the ball and the internet made it a sensation. THAT is the real issue today, nobody knows what things they do or say will end up going viral on Youtube and getting their name on a hitlist. That's not something anyone should have to worry about.
I am sorry, but when you call it "understandable," I could not really disagree more.
I cannot possibly understand why anybody in their right minds could have anticipated any other outcome. Sure, they might have been lucky. It might have been a hot news day and buried their efforts on page six, thus sparing them the notice of the nutjobs. But any person with a grasp on reality would have anticipated that the likely response was exactly what it was, since that was the response against which they were explicitly protesting.
Do I think its awful that the woman has to go into hiding? Sure I do. For god's sake I have studies Islam in detail and consider it to be a disaster to humanity in general and Muslims in particular.
But I have no sympathy for her, since she is an adult and actions have consequences. She cannot feign surprise over hers.
You don't need sympathy for her, you just need to feel good when anyone who tries to make good on their threat gets whacked. If not feel good, at least feel confident that justice overcomes intolerance.
Salmon Rushdie, a muslim, did not solicit a muslim reaction when he wrote Satanic Verses, but a fatwa was issued on him anyway.
Certainly you cannot imagine for a second that Rushdie had any illusions about what the outcome of The Satanic Verses would be. But his most important outcome was turning a mediocre novel into an International best seller.
This isn't like combating the laws of gravity. The muslims (or sympathizers) who are threatening this individual can be easily controlled or neutralized if necessary. The fact they show outrage is irrelevant because if they cannot make good on their actions, it is inconsequential. In fact, draw Mohammed day should also be expanded to "draw Mohammed eating spare ribs" day. That will really bring out all the crazies.
I prefer a cartoon of Mo in bed with a 9 year old piglet.
Certainly you cannot imagine for a second that Rushdie had any illusions about what the outcome of The Satanic Verses would be. But his most important outcome was turning a mediocre novel into an International best seller.
It was a Fatwa that he took with him to the bank.
From what I recall it was a surprise for him since the 'infraction' was minor. Regardless, good for him that he monetized the fatwa effectively. It is the least he deserved for having a price on his head from Khomenei.
I am sorry, but when you call it "understandable," I could not really disagree more.
I cannot possibly understand why anybody in their right minds could have anticipated any other outcome. Sure, they might have been lucky. It might have been a hot news day and buried their efforts on page six, thus sparing them the notice of the nutjobs. But any person with a grasp on reality would have anticipated that the likely response was exactly what it was, since that was the response against which they were explicitly protesting.
Do I think its awful that the woman has to go into hiding? Sure I do. For god's sake I have studies Islam in detail and consider it to be a disaster to humanity in general and Muslims in particular.
But I have no sympathy for her, since she is an adult and actions have consequences. She cannot feign surprise over hers.
She's a warrior in the fight for the free exchange of ideas, and I guess now she's a casualty.
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