Let's do it
February 7, 2006
It was with a mixture of delight and awestruck disbelief that I read of the Iranian newspaper Hamshahri's plan to hold a competition to produce cartoons offensive to the west.
No kidding, here. The Iranian paper is planning to invite international cartoonists to do their worst in an effort to goad us into speaking out against it. Apparently, they realize that the display of outrage working its way through the Middle East over some cartoons suggesting that theirs isn't exactly the religion of peace are making them look bad to the world, but they either aren't inclined to stop, or they also realize that their fellow citizens won't respond to rational calls to knock it off. So what to do, then? Why, try to turn the tables, of course. Says the paper:
"Does the West extend freedom of expression to the crimes committed by the United States and Israel, or an event such as the Holocaust? Or is its freedom only for insulting religious sanctities?"
This has to be the most ill-considered raise of the ante in the history of political poker. Do they really think that they can outdo the stuff they produce all across the Muslim world every day? Where do you really go when you've already shown Jews feeding children into a press and gleefully drinking the blood? When you've already depicted Ariel Sharon eating a bowl of Palestinian children with a spoon? And, let's face it: Do you really think that victory in the 'self-control in the face of insults' contest will go to a people who went on a murder and arson spree in their own countries that is still in progress over the first volley? What, are anti-western cartoons something new?
All I can say is, bring it, fellas. But don't be too sure it'll go the way you think. We have cartoonists, too, you know.
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