Careful, Eli.
Congrats on being the superior human being, Eli. But be careful you don’t nuance yourself into a corner.
But for the record: Oh yes, colonialism sure was bad. I hate colonialism. Colonialism: Bad, colonialism, very, very bad.
But whatever the roots of Islamic rage—and, yes, I think we should understand those roots—and whatever is ultimately motivating demands by anti-Democratic religious fascists for restrictions on press freedoms in the West, it doesn’t change the fact that this is, ultimately, an assault on freedom of speech/thought/expression, and it needs to be, whatever its root cause, resisted.
Freedom of thought and expression are too important to be sacrificed on the altar white, liberal, first-world guilt. Get over yourself.
For the record: freedom is good -- very, very good. Religious fascism is bad -- oh so very bad. Liberal white guilt exists -- really, really exists.
The cartoon hoopla doesn't need to be spun, the threat to freedom of expression doesn't need to be exaggerated, and this demand for solidarity does more to reveal our differences in a "free society" than it does to bring us together.
You are free to twist your panties six ways from Tuesday. Wring 'em out. I am free to remain indifferent and ponder the differences between freedom of expression in a society where Holocaust denial is a crime, and one where it isn't.
Here is my attempt to "get over myself." Not quite there yet. Not yet. Right... now.