The U.S. Follows Some in Europe and Labels the Drawings 'Offensive'

U.S. State Department press officer Janelle Hironimus said that "rights must be coupled with press responsibility." In fact, she, or her superiors, in an obvious attempt to appease considers the drawings to be 'inciting religious and ethnic hatred' as reported in The Washington Times.

"Inciting religious or ethnic hatred in this manner is not acceptable," Hironimus said. "We call for tolerance and respect for all communities and for their religious beliefs and practices."

Give me a break. A nice sentiment. However, one that depicts extreme stupdity about Islam on the part of the speaker. The 'angry protests' that have spread all over the Muslim world are just another attempt to chill criticism or even debate about Islam. Well, what can you expect from "Foggy Bottom?"

In the eyes of most Westerners, in the eyes of this one, the protests are themselves ridiculous and unacceptable. These cartoons are satire and are no worse than those that depict Westerners and others in the Middle-Eastern press.

Muslims depict Christianity and Judaism in the most vile manner. The fact that Christians choose not riot and create mayhem does not mean that they are not offended by such depictions.

It appears that Muslims will riot over just about anything. If it weren't for the so-called defiling of the Koran or these cartoons, they would find some other incident to use as a flash point. The State Department is either clueless or attempting to appease. Both are unacceptable. Someone should slip a copy of Robert Spencer's The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) under Dr. Rice's door or into her luggage for use during all that travel time. If not that book, there is plethora of others, many of which are listed on this blog's sister site.

We are at war. Wake up. Appeasing the enemy is not the answer. In case you've forgotten: We tried that with Hiter in 1939.