TOLERANCE IN ISLAM?!? WHAT TOLERANCE?!?

For Islam, tolerance a one-way street

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The pope makes a reference to a 14th-century Byzantine emperor's remark about Islam imposing itself by the sword, and to protest this linking of Islam and violence:

-In the West Bank and Gaza, Muslims attack seven churches.
-In London, the ever-dependable radical Anjem Choudary tells demonstrators at Westminster Cathedral that the pope is now condemned to death.

-In Mogadishu, Somali religious leader Abubukar Hassan Malin calls on Muslims to "hunt down" the pope. The pope not being quite at hand, they do the next best thing: Shoot dead, execution-style, an Italian nun who worked in a children's hospital.

"How dare you say Islam is a violent religion? I'll kill you for it" is not exactly the best way to go about refuting the charge. But, of course, refuting is not the point here. The point is intimidation.

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And the intimidation succeeds:

-Politicians bowing and scraping to the mob over the cartoons
-A craven New York Times editorial telling the pope to apologize
-The plague of self-censorship about anything remotely controversial about Islam — this in a culture in which a half-naked pop star blithely stages a mock crucifixion as the highlight of her latest concert tour.


The intimidation worked way back in February 8th, 2006 when the Cartoon Jihad was being instituted...Just take gander at what the P.O.T.U.S. said in response:

...We also talked about a topic that requires a lot of discussion and a lot of sensitive thought, and that is the reaction to the cartoons. I first want to make it very clear to people around the world that ours is a nation that believes in tolerance and understanding. In America we welcome people of all faiths. One of the great attributes of our country is that you're free to worship however you choose in the United States of America.

Secondly, we believe in a free press. We also recognize that with freedom comes responsibilities. With freedom comes the responsibility to be thoughtful about others. Finally, I have made it clear to His Majesty and he made it clear to me that we reject violence as a way to express discontent with what may be printed in a free press. I call upon the governments around the world to stop the violence, to be respectful, to protect property, protect the lives of innocent diplomats who are serving their countries overseas. ...


Pertinent Links:

1) For Islam, tolerance a one-way street

2) President Bush Welcomes King Abdullah of Jordan to the White House