In that case then shouldn't the Iranians be entitled to have their own cartoon show? You've criticized Iran for state sponsored hate yet the publishing of textbooks is also state sponsored. It seems to me you're giving Japan a pass for doing essentially the same thing as Iran. I would even say what Japan is doing is worse since they are instutionalizing hate in textbooks rather than through cartoons.
That is why it is analogous, and not an exact copy. Originally, the troops were kept in Germany and Japan to make sure that they remained peaceful and did not just rearm after surrender to start the whole thing over again. Over time, the reason for the troops to be there changed, as the reason for having troops in Iraq would change over time. The fact remains, to this day there are many thousands of US troops in Germany, South Korea, and Japan. The fact that the Germans and Japanese did not fight an insurgency against the troops following their defeat and our occupation of their countries hardly seems an argument in favor of pulling our troops out. That would only be the case if our sole purpose was to protect the lives of US military personnel, which could be done more cheaply and effectively by simply disbanding the US military. In fact, the insurgency is the reason why the length of time required for nation building is greater. If there was no insurgency in Iraq, all of our efforts could be devoted to building infrastructions, hunting down foreign terrorists, and all of the other tasks involved in creating a stable democracy in Iraq. If that were the case we could quickly reduce troop levels and have only a fraction of those in country remain to serve the same purpose against Iran that those in Germany were serving against the Soviet Union.
Yes they should, you mean like the Danes? Absolutely, and people have a right to be upset about it. Doesn't make it right. DD
Are you familiar with Iranian Textbooks? http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=23918 The original study will be printed at: http://www.edume.org/
He has previously articulated his anti-semitism. Are you seriously arguing that it's just coincidence that he chose the Holocaust as the topic? It's not just 'anti-semitism', it's 'anti-semitism' coupled with statements such as wiping Israel off the map. He has already dehumanized his enemy, he is the leader of a nation that is obviously pursuing the Bomb. Yes, I think that all he does proves that he's a nut and increases the likelihood that either the US or Israel will attack him before he can complete the Bomb. If intelligence reports indicate that they are close to a bomb, I can guarantee that such strikes will occur. They will never let him have it.
Except that most of the insurgency is domestic and directed at us. So our own presence is largely responsible for the insurgency and our atempt to help create a stable democracy is sabotaging it at the same time. The comparison between Iraq and post WWII Germany and Japan while analogous that is a rather superficial analogy given the vast differences between the two.
I never said it was right but if you are going to criticize one for state sanctioned hate but not another I think its important to point that out.
I don't think it is coicidental and agree that he is using this to also articulate his anti-semitic beliefs. That said there is a larger context here which has to do with free speech. Ahmedinajad said specifically that he would hold this show to expose western hypocrasy regarding free speech since the argument regarding Muslim anger had to do that with that this was a free speech issue allowing knowingly offensive cartoons to be published. I agree that Ahmedinajad harbors anti-semitic beliefs and he is using them to make an argument that the west is hypocritical when it comes to what topics it considers can be tolerated. I'm not defending, justifying, or denying his anti-semitic beliefs. I'm saying that under the principle of free speech even the most abhorrent beliefs, which anti-semitism and Holocaust denial are, should still be allowed. If he having a nuke maybe but anti-semitic rhetoric is not a proof of him having a nuke. As vile as such rhetoric is I don't think that's a justification for Israel or the US to go to war with Iran anymore than for the PRC to go to war with Japan over their historical revisionism and official honors of war criminals.
Freedom of Speech has a limit. the danish cartoons were disstafull and so is the cartoons mocking a genocide where infents, yes little babies were burnt alive...kids at 3 months were shown no mercy..
I think they were both in poor taste, but one was STATE sponsored making it even worse. The other was NOT STATE sponsored, thus the difference. And, I do not see the Jews rioting and killing people over it. DD
I think the Western concept of free press is a de facto sanctioning, just of multiple points of view. Furthermore, our NEA (rightly or wrongly) funds all kinds of controversial, objectionable art, some of which might easily trump (or even mirror) Iran's anti-holocaust material. As for Jews being incapable of killing when angered, over religious/political issues (which the de-humanizing of Mohmammed may qualify as, given it's possible role in Middle Eastern Muslims' historical marginalization in their own region), well, Yitzhak Rabin might have something to say about that.
Just wanted to add that this may actually be an "evolved" form of Middle Eastern Islamic political expression, a template for a non-violent way of expressing their anger about the existence of Israel. The Iranian government's implied message to its own citizens may be that terrorism doesn't work, so try to just offer commentary (satirical and offensive thought it may be).
I doubt you see well off Muslims rioting and killing people either. The poor react differently....ala L.A. Riots.
I completely agree, people that have something to live for rarely kill themselves, or far less frequently. DD
They are, but one in intended to incite people, and the other is trying to move on.... Apples to apples people !! DD
So you are telling me if Germany changed the history text book tomorrow to say WWII Nazi atrocities never happend, that Germany was trying to "liberate the other European countries. People in Isreal and other European country would not come out with massive protests? If Japan really want to move on they would follow Germany's example, no one in Asia or else where would stage another protest again.
I don't have a problem with people protesting the changing of the textbooks, but I also don't have a problem with Japan telling those protestors to piss off. DD
