The effects of one Danish editor’s decision to solicit and publish 12 cartoons of the Prophet Muhammed continue to have repurcussions around the world –violence, civil disobedience, and economic sanctions. This morning on NPR it was reported that two Danish companies, manufacturers of dairy products — butter and cheeses — have lost their Middle Eastern contracts, almost overnight. The smaller of these two companies faces impending bankruptcy.
Here at Booman Tribune, the bastion of free speech and the most open forum for the news, views, and dialogue, two front page citizen journalists have supported the publication of the most offensive cartoons — the one that depicts the Prophet Mohammed with a bomb for a turban. One journalist supported the right to publish such an image, and another published the image with a free speech message to demonstrate that the image appeared on telephone poles and public places in Seattle. This was accurate reporting, and the image has since been removed. Thank you.
J’ACCUSE
The over-riding editorial policy of Booman Tribune is:
- DON’T BE A PRICK
Might I suggest some other principles and guidelines for this policy that are contained in its meaning, but not yet made explicit?
1) Think about what you are saying and the way you are saying it, to whom you are saying it, and why. Understand and try to make clear your own point of view and values.
Values:
Are you Bob Marley: One World, One Love?
Are you Frederick Nietchze: God Is Dead?
Are you a radical extremist: There is only One Way, That is Our Way, everyone else is screwed, doomed, fucked, will be cleared from our path, denied entry into Heaven, etc. etc.?
Who is your target audience? Those who think like you, those who are open to make up their minds on an issue, those who think exactly opposite from your opinion? Free speech without dialogue is an exercise in futility, it seems to me. Are you opening avenues of dialogue, or stopping all discussion? Are you alienating your target audience?
a) Is it true?
b) Is it a help or a hindrance to community?
c) Is it offensive?
d) Is it inflamatory?
e) Do you accept personal responsibility for the effects of your action/expression?
2) First of all: Do No Harm This guideline is best put in the Hindu rule: First of all, do no harm. Do not incite violence. Have respect for peoples.
This issue is NOT about free speech. This issue is about icons, iconography, iconoclasts, and apostacy..
The over-riding editorial policy of “Don’t Be A Prick” means to me that while I am expressing my point of view don’t devalue peoples. The rule against depiction of the Holiest of Holies is contained in Mosaic Law, in Islamic Law, and is shared by cultures around the world. The admonition against creating a bad environment by your expression is also contained in the old adage, “Don’t shit where you eat.”
JE REFUSE
Of the fifteen cartoonists who were solicted for their cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, three refused. As always, there’s a story within the story that is the REAL story. I would be very interested in the statement of these three cartoon/journalists. I join with them in this Salon Des Refusees. Did these three cartoonists put their jobs on the line in their refusal?
The powers we are entitled to through the Bill of Rights are:
- Freedom of Speech
- Freedom to peaceably assemble and petition govt for redress of grievances.
- Freedom to Vote.
- Freedom to Boycott, which is an extension of the right to vote.
I, for one, join with the Middle East merchants who refuse to do business with Denmark (yes, the whole country) until the editor Rose of the Danish newspaper apologizes, is fired, and the paper shut down. I for one will not buy any Danish products, just as my forebears refused to buy any coffee makers msnufactured by Krupp. The Second World War was more than 70 years ago, but still we remember “The Arms of Krupp.” And I was taught: “Never forget. Never again.
I for one WILL drink Coca-Cola. Why? Because the number one name of US companies who were represented at Coretta Scott King’s funeral was Coca-Cola. (I don’t care a flying-farthing for what else they may be doing for the moment.) Whenever I fly, I will fly Delta Airlines, for the same reason.
I refuse to buy or watch any of the US news sources who published the 12 cartoons. But I will write to each of them and tell them how very strong is my opposition to what they have done. That’s MY free speech. And you can bet that I will be polite while I’m doing it.
EXPRESSING MYSELF
Suppose I feel like erecting a statue on my front lawn. Two lifesize hooded figures. One is white and one is black. The white hooded robed figure is KKK. The black seraped and hooded is an Iraqi prisoner in Abu Ghraib in a torture position known as “The Vietnam.” I just might make the two link hands and call it “Hands Across The Water.”
Do I have a right to do this? If not, why not?
Is it appropriate? NO.
Is it offensive? YES.
Is it inflammatory? YES.
Could it cause harm to those who are innocent and uninvolved and not responsible for what I do? YES.
As a result of this action, one of my neighbors came to me and said:
“You are impacting negatively on my neighborhood, and this sculpture is degrading my quality of life. There’s a lot of yelling and threats being made and it is upsetting to my children to see this sculpture, and my spouse and I do not feel safe. We want you to remove it immediately or we will report you to the Good Neighbors council, and maybe to the police.”
Another neighbor came to me and said:
“I disagree with the opinions expressed in this sculpture, but I defend your right to make and display it.”
The third neighbor came to me and said:
“Don’t look now but your house has been fire-bombed. If there’s anything or anyone you value in there, you’d better get them out.”
Too bad I wasn’t minding the neighborhood while I was busy expressing myself. Because the fire spread and burnt down my neighbor’s house too. He had no insurance.
IN SUMMATION
For the duration I say Danish Cheese stinks. Booman Tribune is my kind of community.
