The growth of radical Islam

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by _Opi_

I don't understand what this has to do with the growth of Radical Islam. If anything, it deserves a thread on its own about how prejudicial or disrespectful individuals are towards Islam and the followers of Islam.

Oh well, what can you do, right?

I have no problem with it. People are allowed to be disrespectful towards Christians, Jews, etc., so why not Islam?

If they want to have riots and trample each other to death, that sounds like their own problem. I really don't see why the west cares. They're only doing this because so far, we have responded by giving them what they wanted. The Pope apologized, the Danes apologized, everyone apologized. If we continue to reward this behavior, we can expect it to continue.

[_Opi_]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I have no problem with it. People are allowed to be disrespectful towards Christians, Jews, etc., so why not Islam?

If they want to have riots and trample each other to death, that sounds like their own problem. I really don't see why the west cares. They're only doing this because so far, we have responded by giving them what they wanted. The Pope apologized, the Danes apologized, everyone apologized. If we continue to reward this behavior, we can expect it to continue.

Kevin, if someone insulted your way of life, your religion, ethnicity, etc. you have the right to speak out against it. Hate speech or the like should no be tolerated, right? If you a Christian, and a group berated your religion, would you not say something about it? That's how I feel.

Second, who's they?

Third, last time I checked, I was part of the west and so are many other muslims. Are you saying we dont have a right to speak against those who attack our way of life? Geez, ,and I thought this was America.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by _Opi_

Kevin, if someone insulted your way of life, your religion, ethnicity, etc. you have the right to speak out against it. Hate speech or the like should no be tolerated, right?

The problem is that these two statement are not necessarily compatible. Of course, if one's way of life, religion, ethnicity, etc., is insulted, one has a right to speak against it. That speech, in my view, does not include death threats.

But if one is going to live in a free society with freedom of speech, at the end of the day, one has to tolerate hate speech (whatever that is -- it seems to me to be a catchall phrase for "speech that offends me" without having any real, objective meaning). Free speech works both ways.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

The problem is that these two statement are not necessarily compatible. Of course, if one's way of life, religion, ethnicity, etc., is insulted, one has a right to speak against it. That speech, in my view, does not include death threats.

But if one is going to live in a free society with freedom of speech, at the end of the day, one has to tolerate hate speech (whatever that is -- it seems to me to be a catchall phrase for "speech that offends me" without having any real, objective meaning). Free speech works both ways.

Yeah, this is pretty spot-on.

[shinerbock]

You're telling me ME countries don't sponsor terrorism? Hahaha. This is a joke no? You probably don't think Hezbollah is a terrorist organization.

As for the dashboard figure, who cares. People have dashboard J.C.'s and it doesn't bother me. Go ahead. I don't like it, but sure, make a cartoon about Christianity. I'll be upset, but I don't think I'll burn a flag, or kill a nun, or anything like that...

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

As for the dashboard figure, who cares. People have dashboard J.C.'s and it doesn't bother me.

I don't care if it rains of freezes
'Long as I got my Plastic Jesus
Riding on the dashboard of my car.
Through my trials and tribulations
And my travels through the nations
With my Plastic Jesus I'll go far.

Plastic Jesus! Plastic Jesus,
Riding on the dashboard of my car
I'm afraid He'll have to go.
His magnets ruin my radio
And if I have a wreck He'll leave a scar.

\musical interlude

[_Opi_]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Yeah, this is pretty spot-on.

I'm not that surprised that you agree.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by _Opi_

I'm not that surprised that you agree.

That I agree that the 'downside' of free speech is that you have to tolerate hateful speech as long as it doesn't violate the constitutional freedoms of others?

Yes, that's not surprising at all.

Originally Posted by _Opi_

Yeah, I agree that death threats are very very bad. But uh, that's not the kind I was talking about.

And it's a shame that you can tolerate hate speech. I believe it should never be tolerated.

"Tolerate" in this case refers to the legal right of others to free speech - this is what MysticCat and I are discussing. I actually deleted a post similar to his just to prevent this kind of misunderstanding.

It should not be surprising, therefore, that I support the right of the Muslim community to speak out and protest these kind of characterizations as offensive - in that sense, I don't expect "tolerance" in the sense of non-response or laziness.

You're in law school, no? Seriously - this is a basic tenet of the founding ideals of the US. It sucks because we have to deal with bigoted idiots - but it's FAR better than the alternative, no?

[_Opi_]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

That I agree that the 'downside' of free speech is that you have to tolerate hateful speech as long as it doesn't violate the constitutional freedoms of others?

Yes, that's not surprising at all.

You're in law school, no? Seriously - this is a basic tenet of the founding ideals of the US. It sucks because we have to deal with bigoted idiots - but it's FAR better than the alternative, no?

What does law school have anything to do with anything?

If the KKK were in my vicinity preaching hateful speech, I would exercise my right to speak against it. And I will not tolerate it, either.

In any case, I still don't understand what this ex-marine's business venture has to do with radical Islam?

[_Opi_]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

The problem is that these two statement are not necessarily compatible. Of course, if one's way of life, religion, ethnicity, etc., is insulted, one has a right to speak against it. That speech, in my view, does not include death threats.

But if one is going to live in a free society with freedom of speech, at the end of the day, one has to tolerate hate speech (whatever that is -- it seems to me to be a catchall phrase for "speech that offends me" without having any real, objective meaning). Free speech works both ways.

Yeah, I agree that death threats are very very bad. But uh, that's not the kind I was talking about.

And it's a shame that you can tolerate hate speech. I believe it should never be tolerated.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by _Opi_

Kevin, if someone insulted your way of life, your religion, ethnicity, etc. you have the right to speak out against it. Hate speech or the like should no be tolerated, right? If you a Christian, and a group berated your religion, would you not say something about it? That's how I feel.

I'm a Catholic living in Oklahoma. Needless to tell you, I've been told many times how my religion (sadly) will send me straight to the firey pits of hell, etc. I've heard it. It's intolerance, ignorance, etc. I ignore it or I try to educate depending on the situation. Heck.. the ignorance being spewed by certain Muslims regarding the Pope is as idiotic and ignorant as anything the Pope himself has said -- moreso IMHO.

Second, who's they?

My civpro prof would have me strung up by the toenails for uttering such an abomination. They = ignorant Muslims making death threats (and in some cases following through) because their dumb asses were offended.

Third, last time I checked, I was part of the west and so are many other muslims. Are you saying we dont have a right to speak against those who attack our way of life? Geez, ,and I thought this was America.

As long as you're not making death threats or killing people who disagree with you, you're well within your rights. Otherwise, what are you suggesting? That the U.S. allow Muslims to make death threats and commit violent acts because they are offended while they compel people with offensive bobblehead dolls to remove said dolls from sight? WTF?

[_Opi_]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I'm a Catholic living in Oklahoma. Needless to tell you, I've been told many times how my religion (sadly) will send me straight to the firey pits of hell, etc. I've heard it. It's intolerance, ignorance, etc. I ignore it or I try to educate depending on the situation. Heck.. the ignorance being spewed by certain Muslims regarding the Pope is as idiotic and ignorant as anything the Pope himself has said -- moreso IMHO.



My civpro prof would have me strung up by the toenails for uttering such an abomination. They = ignorant Muslims making death threats (and in some cases following through) because their dumb asses were offended.



As long as you're not making death threats or killing people who disagree with you, you're well within your rights. Otherwise, what are you suggesting? That the U.S. allow Muslims to make death threats and commit violent acts because they are offended while they compel people with offensive bobblehead dolls to remove said dolls from sight? WTF?

You did not specify who "they" were. I was talking about OTW's post, and you went right to the riots over what the pope said. BTW, there were riots in remote areas, mostly areas where there is conflict. It should not surprise you that people over there would act. Have there been riots in your general area? I live near the largest Arab/Muslim population in the US, and I should didn't hear about them. Like I said, next time please do specify because like 99% of the muslim people do not riot and make death threats.

I think your problem is when you hear the word muslim, these "certain" images pop in your head, just based on the way you post.

Bobblehead Mohammed is offensive to me because it is a disrespect to ME. I have right to say something about it, and not tolerate other people walking all over something I believe in. I would do the same thing if it were about my skin colour, as well. But I guess I should tolerate it, eh? Because this is an acceptable discrimination.

Ok there!

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by _Opi_

You did not specify who "they" were. I was talking about OTW's post, and you went right to the riots over what the pope said. BTW, there were riots in remote areas, mostly areas where there is conflict. It should not surprise you that people over there would act. Have there been riots in your general area? I live near the largest Arab/Muslim population in the US, and I should didn't hear about them. Like I said, next time please do specify because like 99% of the muslim people do not riot and make death threats.

Amazingly, you knew who "they" were. I was pretty sure there was no need to spel it out.

I think your problem is when you hear the word muslim, these "certain" images pop in your head, just based on the way you post.

Bobblehead Mohammed is offensive to me because it is a disrespect to ME. I have right to say something about it, and not tolerate other people walking all over something I believe in. I would do the same thing if it were about my skin colour, as well. But I guess I should tolerate it, eh? Because this is an acceptable discrimination.

Ok there!

No one is saying you can't speak out against it.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by _Opi_

And it's a shame that you can tolerate hate speech. I believe it should never be tolerated.

As others have said quite well, that's the cost of living in a free society with freedom of speech. I think it's a shame anyone seems to be suggesting that "intolerable" speech can be punished.

Originally Posted by _Opi_

What does law school have anything to do with anything?If the KKK were in my vicinity preaching hateful speech, I would exercise my right to speak against it. And I will not tolerate it, either.

Originally Posted by _Opi_

I have right to say something about it, and not tolerate other people walking all over something I believe in.

You seem to be drawing a distinction between speaking out against that which offends you and not tolerating it. What would you do to show you will not tolerate that which offends you?

[_Opi_]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

As others have said quite well, that's the cost of living in a free society with freedom of speech. I think it's a shame anyone seems to be suggesting that "intolerable" speech can be punished.



You seem to be drawing a distinction between speaking out against that which offends you and not tolerating it. What would you do to show you will not tolerate that which offends you?

er, I never said anything about punishment or doing anything illegal.

How would I show my distaste? I already have, buddy.