DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - U.S.A./CANADA/U.K.: THE JIHAD ON AMERICA'S FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Muslims have found a new way to stifle criticism of their fanatic ideology
By Vincent Gioia
MichNews.com
Jan 25, 2008

It seems that not all countries enjoy freedom of speech as prescribed by the United States constitution. In this country there is a well established body of law that gives us the right to say anything within reason without fear of legal challenge or a criminal penalty. Although this right is not absolute (Justice Holmes on the Supreme Court once said there is no right to yell ‘fire’ in a crowded theatre), the right of freedom of expression is quite real and extensive.

With regard to libel laws in this country, it is recognized that truth is a defense to any challenge to someone’s criticism of another and, moreover, public figures do not receive the same right of privacy in this regard that private individuals have. However, in some countries the burden of proof is on the defendant author and publisher to justify what was written and the plaintiff, i.e., the Islamist group, merely has to make the allegation. Even if the author may ultimately win, the deep pocket Muslims, having Saudi backing, will make it very expensive for the author and his publisher to succeed.

Unlike the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom do not provide the same freedom of speech, at least with respect to criticism of Islam and Muslims, and certainly not of Mohammad. This has been made readily apparent in the recent strategy by Muslim groups to sue authors and publishers of their writings they allege either insult or defame Islam or Mohammad in print, particularly in books and articles.

This Muslim strategy clearly portends a chilling effect on authors or any sensible expression of the truth about Islam. Publishers are reluctant to publish writings Muslims may consider offensive, thus depriving authors an opportunity to be heard. For example, even where authors are free to express themselves in books published in the United States, publishers interested in book sales abroad or on the internet with access in foreign countries, risk law suits by Muslims and their organizations, such as CAIR, for damages and to prevent sales in such countries; Canada and the United Kingdom being specific examples.

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1) Muslims have found a new way to stifle criticism of their fanatic ideology