Cartoon rage starting to build up.
The rage over the Mohammad cartoons have started to build up again after several Arabic media channels have discovered that Norwegian TV station, TV2, showed the offending cartoons.Some Muslims in the middle east reacted with disgust when they learned that TV2 showed the cartoons in TV documentary, "Document 2". Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya have several articles on Doc 2 and Magazinet editor Vebjørn K. Selbekk’s new book on their homepages, writes Nettavisen.
And it didn’t take long before people started reacting. Readers from around the globe were outraged when they learned that the TV station showed the cartoons of the prophet Mohammad.
According to Nettavisen, several Arabic media channels have a detailed description of the TV program and the response from Norwegian politicians. They also report that Selbekk didn’t apologize because he was wrong in printing the cartoons, but because of death threats and strong pressure from the Norwegian government to do so.
posted by The Observer at 9:12 AM
34 Comments:
It's ridiculous at this time and age to censor free speech. I could post all of the cartoon in 5 mins for the world to see. And everybody can. If the goverment is so dhimmitude, it's not going to stay in power for long. We vote them out.
ah only to be expected it is amazing how easily these people are triggered off into rage etc, we should do more of these irritating things then the world will see how unbalanced they all are
Gandalf,
Amen!
This is ridiculous. I can't believe they're still rioting over this.
Observer,
I think Nettavisen is jumping the gun. Selbekk apologized, of course - in February, and the only articles I can find in Al Jazeera are from February as well (for example, see here).
People have very short memories. They already forgot that Norway was part of the cartoon controvery and think that only now they entered it.
Magazinet was the only Norwegian magazine to publish the cartoons after they came out, and that was already enough of a reason to riot against Norway as well. Another showing of the cartoons now is not going to make Norway less or more at fault.
The Muslims did not riot when the cartoons were published. They rioted when they were set to riot. If and when the cartoons will be a subject of rioting again, then you can be sure that everybody will suddenly know about this TV show, which was shown in a language barely anybody knows and in a country most people rioting can't place on a map.
Esther,
Maybe they are, maybe they’re not. I guess only time will tell.
Actually, Magazinet was not the only newspaper to print the cartoons here in Norway. Half a dozen of the big Norwegian newspapers printed them. If my memory serves me right, Dagbladet actually printed the cartoons on the very same day as Magazinet, but Magazinet was made the scapegoat because it was an easy target (small christian newspaper).
By the way, here is a link to a Norwegian newspaper article that links to the two Arabic newspapers. They are in Arabic though. http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/verden/article758829.ece double click the links that says “her”.
I guess they'd really go nuts if they saw the Mohammad Bobble-head on the dashboard of my car!
Observer,
For Arabic texts, you can now use google's translation for a quick Arabic to English translation. It at least gives you an idea of what's being discussed.
I'm not saying it's not completely talked about, just that I don't see it sparking world wide rage. The forums I follow aren't talking about it at all.
But, I think there's an even more basic point here. When people say "here, we advertised the cartoons, now the Muslims will react" it shows a belief in cause and effect. We did x, the Muslims blew up y etc. I simply don't believe there is a cause here. If the Muslims start rioting tomorrow around these cartoons, it will be just the most handy reason. They have such a long list they could riot about anyway. So if it's a sentence from the Pope's speech, or cartoons advertised in a little newspaper nobody reads (my apologies to all Danes).. it's simply an excuse.
There really is enough going on to insult Muslims and there isn't a reaction on everything. From a psychological perspective, I can tell you that's the best way to train somebody. If you react every time, then it's enough that you don't react once for them to breath easy. but this way.. you know there's no riots over the "Islamists and Naivists" book in Denmark and a whole list of other things, and still this TV channel wavered about showing these cartoons, and I'm sure all Norwegian embassies are on top alert right now.
Whenever there's a terror attack, yes, there will be an excuse. But if won't be this insult, it will be that insult. Or it will be the anniversary of this attack or that person being killed. In the end, it's just the most convenient excuse, because the people rioting and shouting "death to Norway" will want to kill you no matter what you say or do to them.
The story I see here is that a Norwegian TV station finally decided to air these cartoons, in a documentary that discussed them. It's your own freedom of the press they were debating, so it's good that they decided they actually support it.
In Holland there was some poking of fun at Arab countries when there was an oil crisis, I think it was in the seventies.
A group of humorist dressed up like Arabs and sang silly songs on TV. The Saudi's were outraged and boycotted the Netherlands till well after public apologies. Carefully frased, of course, to save everybody's face.
There is something wrong with islam apparently because of the way they react, independent of the country they are living in.
Islam, as opposed to other religions, is an aggressive religion as you can see at the way that it started and spread.
It is of the utmost importance that no more muslims are permitted into Europe (or any other part of the world for that matter, except their home countries) and that muslims that are already here are actively prevented from promoting their socalled "religion".
Into their own countries we should spread TV broadcasts ridiculing (or giving objective information, that is more or less the same thing) islam.
The most important is though to rid ourselves of oil dependency.
Esther,
Thanks for the google translation tip.
I agree with you that the airing of the “motoons” was part of a greater debate on freedom of the press here in Norway. The reason the drawings were printed in the first place in Jyllands Posten, was to see what kind of reaction they would cause in an intolerant Muslim world. The reaction as we all know was explosive to put it mildly.
Of course it’s impossible to predict what kind of reaction we’ll see this time around, but based on the reaction we saw last winter, and other “insulting” incidents since, (Pope’s speech/Mozart opera) I think it’s fair to expect a very angry one. It’s my gut feeling that once the news about the TV documentary have “hit home” in the Arab world, there will be a violent response. The AFP news agency have distributed a story about the airing of the cartoons, and it’s been reprinted in several newspapers around the world.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20516014-1702,00.html
The muslims are confident, because they know that they can threaten and silence the west if they just scream loud enough. The Motoons incident was a prime example. In such an atmosphere It’s easy to become overly cocky, and I think they’ll try to silence us again, but this time they’ll get a different reaction.
Observer,
Blogger ate up my response.. so, to make it short this time ;-):
1. I don't think Jyllands Posten was testing to see what kind of response they would get. They wanted to show that no matter what response, they don't fear.
2. I'm sure we'll see what the future holds when it gets there, and don't worry - I'm sure Arabs and Muslims will burn the flag of Norway in the future. However, this TV2 showing will just be added to the list of already existing grievances.
3. Mohammed cartoons can always be used as a good reason for violence. See the case of the unsuccessful terror attack in Germany. So what if it was a one year delayed response?
4. The riots did not break out due to the Danish cartoons. That was a handy excuse and target. I also wouldn't compare them to any other violent act since - there hasn't been anything comparable. I think it's no coincidence that another uncomparable event occured just days before the riots broke out. An Islamic fundamentalist group was democratically elected to power and got world recognition for this move. Even the Iranian revolutionists didn't manage that.
I'm sure we'll be facing Muslim rage in the future, but when that happens, I'm sure the real reason would be in the happenings in the Muslim world at the time, not the "official" reason.
5. I agree that the world is noticing this TV2 broadcast. However, I don't see the Muslim world noticing. Besides an article here or there, there's no discussion about it. Do you see any response from Muslim Norwegians? it might be an opportune time for them, after a Muslim terror gang was caught just recently.
hello observer,
was my comment somewhat to critical of islam? Were my solutions a bit too radical? Oke, I do agree with that last point. I won't bother you no more.
Two points:
1. cugel is the name of a rascal from a book by Jack Vance.
2. counsil should be written council according to me, without consulting a dictionary.
Got an idea with regard to our "guests":
Let's 'toon them out!
Esther,
There hasn’t been an overwhelming response from Norwegian muslims so far. I personally think they’re lying low at the moment.
Like I mentioned earlier only time will tell what’s going to happen next. Maybe they’ll riot, maybe not.
Cugel,
No, your views are definitely not too radical. As a matter of fact I think they’re quite productive :-)
I am not sure how to get this trackback to you, other than to leave it here!
http://dagneysrant.com/2006/10/06/eurabia-is-coming.aspx
Thanks for adding to my ammunition, Observer! A wake up is called for, before the EU is renamed Eurabia!
"There really is enough going on to insult Muslims and there isn't a reaction on everything. From a psychological perspective, I can tell you that's the best way to train somebody."
My goodness, honest to goodness psycho-babble used on a Muslim. That's helpful...as helpful as most liberal pap!
Sorry Esther, I forgot to credit you for the psycho-babble. Please accept my apologies.
Esther, you are absolutely correct, they will use any excuse to promote their anarchy, against whatever government will lay down and allow it as an excuse for their "freedom of speech" or defense of their religion, whichever works depending on the country. Anarchy is anarchy, and advocating the beheading of anyone with whom they do not agree is just exactly that; anarchy!
You all know that the mad imam's are just waiting for the shipment of Norwegean flags to arrive in the Middle East. You can't have a proper protest, without the correct fuel.
Remember the response from the original Mo-Toons came some time after they were printed. The killing over this showing of the 'toons is comming, you can bet on it.
--mdd--
Dagneyt,
you're welcome :-)
Well I'm sure we can all be thrilled to learn that Denmark is already brewing up its next little cartoon crisis. Its going to be interesting to see how far this one goes. The Turks and the Muslim Brotherhood already got mad over it.
I wrote a post about on my blog:
http://jrc-1139.blogspot.com/2006/10/humiliating-mohammed.html
Sorry, I didn't see you had posted my first comment and I made a spelling mistake myself: it should of course be "too critical" instead of "to critical".
a funny link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7HLsimQh8M
I hope it works.
you have to copy and paste it in the address line to watch it.
have fun!
I'm pleased to see Europeans much less afraid, maybe even able to stand up and actually be tough, real Europeans, instead of the weak, guilt-ridden leftists you all keep voting in.
gandalf said...
ah only to be expected it is amazing how easily these people are triggered off into rage etc, we should do more of these irritating things then the world will see how unbalanced they all are
I SECOND THAT! AMEN!
sandeman said...
I guess they'd really go nuts if they saw the Mohammad Bobble-head on the dashboard of my car!
hee hee hee!
It is of the utmost importance that no more muslims are permitted into Europe (or any other part of the world for that matter, except their home countries) and that muslims that are already here are actively prevented from promoting their socalled "religion".
BUT HAVE YOU HEARD THE LATEST NEWS? THEY EXPECT 700,000 MORE IRAQIS TO FLEE IRAQ AND IMMIGRATE TO EUROPE IN 2007 AND 2008! THAT SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED! THE USA IS GOING TO TAKE IN 7,000.
Deport all the muslims to Saudi Arabia. They have lots of money to take care of them. This will help to lower the crime rate and also protect free speech. If thry want to be muslim, then move to a muslim country. Why ruin another good country.
it cant be den
#FF0000
I want to comment a theme that could be actual for norwegians.
If you [native norwegians] are sure with this statement you could make this discussion actual and efficient in Norway.
// Norway has realized that immigration is a negative trend in the sense of life quality.
Imigrants, whatever they'd had motivation to integrate themselves to the norwegian sociaty, often will be less capable and when reaching a known point, wont be willing to be norwegians.
In Norway, there is social communications quality in the sense of how little negative influence there is between people, when communicating and being in the contact.
There is living a remarkable count of russians in Norway and that is the worse thing.
Because russians, when communicating, attempt to make a negative influence, they want to make to feel demeaned and not valuable other people in the Norwegian society. Russians are a highly negative trend to economics.
Russians by objective consideration are very harmful people, they always are realizing, how to ruine other peaople. That opinion is of some peaple.
Norwegians should close the immigration possibilities for russians and absolutely.
I want to comment a theme that could be actual for norwegians.
If you [native norwegians] are sure with this statement you could make this discussion actual and efficient in Norway.
// Norway has realized that immigration is a negative trend in the sense of life quality.
Imigrants, whatever they'd had motivation to integrate themselves to the norwegian sociaty, often will be less capable and when reaching a known point, wont be willing to be norwegians.
In Norway, there is social communications quality in the sense of how little negative influence there is between people, when communicating and being in the contact.
There is living a remarkable count of russians in Norway and that is the worse thing.
Because russians, when communicating, attempt to make a negative influence, they want to make to feel demeaned and not valuable other people in the Norwegian society. Russians are a highly negative trend to economics.
Russians by objective consideration are very harmful people, they always are realizing, how to ruine other peaople. That opinion is of some peaple.
Norwegians should close the immigration possibilities for russians and absolutely.
deport all russians out of Norway. Absolutely all.
I am surprised at the xenophobic and racist comments on this blog. Anyone who has spent some time studying political science or economics will tell you that a country without its immigrants is doomed economically for many, many reasons, including the jobs they are willing to do that Norwegians will not do (to name the most obvious).
I find it frightening to read generalisations like "only to be expected it is amazing how easily these people are triggered off into rage". This comment is devoid of cultural sensitivity and does not take into account the fact that someone's major taboo has been broken. Imagine what you see as the most offensive thing to be shown, something your life revolves around 24/7 and on which you base most of your personal and group identity. Then, imagine that a country like say the U.S for instance, parades it and ridicules your identity.
Freedom of press is a beautiful thing until it goes to far. Its like the freedom to own a gun. Does that mean you should use it on someone? I realize that this is taking the example to the extreme but my point is only the following:
Do we really get that much out of the cartoons that it is worth widening the gap between "us" and "those who are different"?
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