HAVE THE DARK AGES RETURNED TO EUROPE?

Good article by an American columnist who is in solidarity with most writers, bloggers, and many others who believe that freedom of speech is the crux of all of our other freedoms - without it other freedoms are in grave jeopardy if not already snuffed out - DOA.

The current biggest threat to our freedom of speech are muslims and their dhimmi apologists who seek to stifle our comments, cartoons and artistic expression if any muslim deems it "offensive" to them. Dhimmi bureaucrats are all to happy to use this muslim whining as reasons to set up "Hate speech" legislation and tribunals so that the government can get in on the act of intimidation and squelching of free speech. Only a few kuffar fights back and occasionally win.

Muslim threats normally do not always take the path of ordinary browbeatings such as economic sanctions or even the much overused whiney victimisation of "islamophobia" -  but more often are venomously spewed at the "offender" with promises of violence and death. We all know that muslims have made good on their vicious death threats both by killing individuals such as Theo van Gogh and with the "youth" riots in Denmark and France and scores of Islamic countries. The effects of the menacing muslim blackmail has already chilled the media on nearly a worldwide basis.

Just like the muslim appeasing poltical jabberwocky of UK ministers who have ludicrously decided to rename Islamic terrorism or violence as anti Islamic activity words can and do create a scenario and impact for all who read or hear them.  Thus I suggest that "hate speech" legislation should be directed at those who spew out the REAL violence and hate towards others not those who seek to use their freedom of speech to place the onus on the REAL haters - therefore perhaps we should call freedom of speech an "anti-hate activity"??

This is a call to arms for all who value their freedom of speech - do not take lightly the creeping infringements on our right to freely write, talk and draw our thoughts - otherwise all of our futures look as grim as the Dark Ages.

Kathleen Parker:

Muslim threats lead toward Darker Age in Europe

Traveling to Europe's Dark Ages, one might expect to find newspaper headlines like these:

• Archbishop of Canterbury says sharia law to be incorporated into British laws.

• A Danish cartoonist is placed under indefinite police protection as three would-be assassins are arrested.

• Renegade Muslim author seeks country to protect her from Islamist fanatics promising to kill her.

Alas, these are headlines from the past few weeks in modern-day Europe, where ancient values continue to collide with Western civilization.

One does not have to be anti-Islam to be concerned as radical Islam clashes with Modern Europe. One does have to be blind -- or in dangerous denial -- not to be concerned that threats and violence from religionists, coupled with incremental accommodations and submissions by the soon-to-be "formerly" dominant culture, are leading to a darker age.

Is that the land of Mordor in the distance?

No, it's Denmark, where the cartoon controversy that caused Muslim outrage in 2005 continues to draw fire from the lunatic fringe. Three Muslim men have been arrested for plotting to kill one of the cartoonists, Kurt Westergaard, whose drawing showed the prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb-turban with a lit fuse.

Westergaard's intention, he has explained, was to illustrate how fanatics have co-opted the prophet for their murderous purposes. But literal-minded, fundamentalist Muslims, who apparently have no understanding of satire or the irreverence that underpins Western humor, saw only disrespect.

Wednesday, newspapers in Denmark, Sweden and Spain republished one of the infamous cartoons in solidarity with the Danish newspaper Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten, which originally published the cartoon, one among a dozen, as an exercise in free speech.

Replaying the events that previously caused so much trouble may be viewed as unnecessary -- and many American editors apparently see it that way. With only a few exceptions, most U.S. newspapers elected not to run the cartoons, sending readers to the Web for more information and, it would seem, self-defeat.

But if you were Westergaard, now under indefinite police protection -- or author Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who needs protection wherever she travels -- you might think that the debate over free expression needs to be relentlessly aired no matter what the immediate fallout.

Hirsi Ali, author of "Infidel" -- an autobiographical critique of Islam and the religion's oppression of women -- has been on the run since her co-filmmaker, Theo van Gogh, was murdered on the streets in Holland. Stabbed to his chest was a note for Hirsi Ali promising that she was next.

In the wake of van Gogh's killing -- and threats against Hirsi Ali and the cartoonist -- one could easily make the safer decision to self-censor. Death for doodling seems hardly worth it. But giving in to intimidation inevitably leads to greater demands for special accommodation down the road.

Which leads where?

Follow the yellow brick to Canterbury, where the archbishop recently made a case for redefining the relationship between religious conscience and law to allow people to opt out of laws that contradict their teachings. Under that redefinition, sharia laws that permit gender inequality could be given a place within existing British code.

The archbishop has been word-bombed with criticism, deservedly, though he characterized the response as an overreaction.

No, an overreaction is a man who kills his wife -- or a brother kills his sister -- for dishonoring the family under sharia law. Overreaction is murdering a filmmaker for exploring the abuse of human rights that can be justified under strict interpretations of sharia law. Overreaction is plotting to assassinate a cartoonist for Allah's sake because you don't get it.

Underreaction to radical Islam and jihad gets Paris burned, artists killed, thousands incinerated by detonator airplanes, and archbishops advancing religious exemptions to enlightened law.

Europeans seem to understand this better than Americans in spite of 9/11, primarily because they have already underreacted -- or reacted too late. A recent Gallup poll for the World Economic Forum found that a majority of Europeans believed relations between the West and the Muslim world are worsening. This is owing in varying degrees to a lack of Muslim assimilation, a dying non-Muslim European population whose birth rate is being outpaced by Muslims three-to-one, and the sense that European culture is being usurped.

The brightest light in the Western world -- the one that flickers now in pockets of Europe -- is the freedom of expression that makes all other freedoms possible. Once that light is extinguished, then it may be too late, or too deadly, to react.

Kathleen Parker writes for the Orlando Sentinel. Her column is distributed by the Washington Post Writers Group, 1150 15th NW, Washington, DC 20071. You can reach her at kparker@kparker.com.

Comments

[Philip Saenz]

You speak of freedom of expression, but where is the freedom of expression for very young Muslim female children? Old, lecherous, Muslim men marry these little girls as young as nine years old. To me that is a greater concern than our freedom of expression. We adults can fend for ourselves, but little girls cannot, especially not in a backward Muslim country. And where is the freedom of expression for these little girls as their genitals are cruelly mutilated? How much longer must these children suffer at the hands of evil Muslim sex fiends? When will the good Muslims do something about these crimes? Sometimes I wonder if there are very many good Muslims out there. They very seldom condemn the atrocities perpetrated by the religion of Islam. These Muslim lechers think they have the right to rape little girls since Muhmammad, their so-called prophet, raped little Aisha when the child was only eight years and nine months old. That jerk Muhammad should be dumped as well as the wicked Qur'an.

[Craig]

There are only nice muslims when their numbers aren't high.

You'll notice in communities where Muslims are the minority, they are as polite and as friendly as can be. When their numbers grow, their true colors shine through.

Terrible to say, but a cold harsh reality to swallow.

Churchill warned the world 60 years ago, and still nobody listens to the churchill's of today or the Churchill of the past for that matter.

Lionheart is the prime example. I'm sure in Luton, before there was waves of muslim immigrants, they were most likely quiet behind the scenes immigrants. The more locals moved away, the more they became louder and louder.

I know what Lionheart is going through to a degree, as I watched it happen in a matter of years right before my very eyes in Mississauga and Brampton maybe 16 years ago. isn't it odd how those 2 are popping up in the news quite steadily these days?

Not to me it isn't. I've been expecting this for over 20 years of my life, and I'm not even mid 30's yet.

If there was a moderate amungst them or apostate who truly felt his religion was hijacked, then we'd see more debates, more protestors, more news articles and OP pieces.

If it is true that their own are afraid to speak out, then what does it say about the rest of us who value freedom of speech, choice and opinion?

They are guests in our countires, not the other way around.

I'm not ripping on you Philip so don't take it as such, I'm just wondering when the adults are going to take over this matter instead of leaving it up to children who are afraid of their own shadows whom we keep electing all over the world.

History has taught us nothing, and this time the lesson is going to be a harsh one because the children are successfuly silencing opposition and logic at every turn. And we let them.

This in a way is our own doing, let's just hope that that few that have been smart enough to keep on the ball on these things, are the ones who survive when the shit hits the fan.

[Bob Smith]

Islam is a death cult.

99.9% are born into it. They can't change it, question it, or leave it without fear of death.

Islam is the problem.

[Adela Kostea,USA]

The politicians,the media elites as well as the governments in Europe have sold their nations to the muslim barbarians.
European people cannot expect their governments to protect them,so they will soon have to make the choice:either submit to the muslim invaders and live as slaves in their own countries,or stand up and fight,expell them and never allow them to return.
Islam is not a religion it is a DEATH CULT.

[Christian]

The only solution for Europe, if it is to have any future is to expel ALL muslims from their lands. The above respondent is right on when he states that they are polite when in a minority, but when their numbers increase, their true colors shine through.

Picture France, without the Eiffel tower (idolatry, look what they have done to the statues of Buddha in Afghanistan.) Without French wine or champaign (alcohol is forbidden in islam), do you have any question what Muslims would do with the Louvre?

How about when they become the majority in Italy. . how long do you think Rome will have the Vatican when muslims gain power?

The Muslims have a plan for the entire world, they want to drag it back to the Seventh century, with all the attendant barbarity and cruelty.

The future does not present optimistic outlooks for a muslim dominated Europe.

Remember the words of Bin Laden, "In Islam, we value death. . " Do you think for a moment they would not hesitate to:

-Hang homosexuals
-Stone Adulters
-Amputate hands and feet for theft
-Force women to don the Burka and stay in the home
-institute female Genital mutilation
-Kill anyone who dares leave Islam
-Kill or torture anyone who questions, much less criticizes the prophet
-squelch free speech
-Give you three choices:
1. Convert to islam
2. Become dhimmini
3. Kill you

For those "Liberal thinkers" and multiculteralists out there, how long do you think they will tolerate you as atheists and "Unbelievers?"

Good luck Europe, you are going to need it!

[Faqi]

A culture that gave the world the novel; the music of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert; and the paintings of Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Rembrandt does not need lessons from societies whose idea of heaven, peopled with female virgins, resembles a cosmic brothel. Nor does the West need lectures on the superior virtue of societies in which women are kept in subjection under sharia, endure genital mutilation, are stoned to death for alleged adultery, and are married off against their will at the age of nine; societies that deny the rights of supposedly lower castes; societies that execute homosexuals and apostates. The West has no use for sanctimonious homilies from societies that cannot provide clean drinking water or sewage systems, that make no provisions for the handicapped, and that leave 40 to 50 percent of their citizens illiterate.

As Ayatollah Khomeini once famously said, there are no jokes in Islam. The West is able to look at its foibles and laugh, to make fun of its fundamental principles: but there is no equivalent as yet to Monty Python’s Life of Brian in Islam. Can we look forward, someday, to a Life of Mo? Probably not—one more small sign that Western values remain the best, and perhaps the only, means for all people, no matter of what race or creed, to reach their full potential and live in freedom.

[Philip Saenz]

The following is what I see in the Pillars of Islam: The First Pillar: To murder especially Christians and Jews. Also to murder all other infidels if they refuse to convert to Islam, the religion of peace. Destroy, destroy, destroy, kill, kill, kill. You must please Allah the god of hatred, cruelty, ruin, death and destruction. Allah commands it and it pleases him. If the infidels accept the religion of peace, then you can rest for a while. But if the infidels waver, then kill them for doubting the religion of peace. (Comment: After 1,400 years of practice, the Muslims have become very adapted at this grisly affair to this day).
The Second Pillar of Islam: To murder other Muslims that aren't 100% Muslim. Sunni Muslims must continue to murder Shiite Muslims because they are infidels. Shiite Muslims must also continue to murder Sunni Muslims because they are also infidels. Also, Muslims must murder other Muslims of different sects because they don't follow the pure religion of Islam, the religion of peace. And it's okay to lie and say that you don't do these things. The Muslim Taqiyya permits us to lie. (Comment: At present, Muslims of different sects have been pretty much on course in accomplishing this pillar).
The Third Pillar of Islam: For Muslims of the religion of peace to blow up Muslim mosques of different Muslims sects while Muslims are praying to Allah. Also, to blow up especially Jewish synagogues, and Catholic churches, and other places of worship, of course, all in the name of Allah. If possible, blow them up when people are inside these buildings. Remember, it must be done in the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Allahu Akbar! (Comment: Here too Muslims, children of Satan, of different sects are doing quite well in pleasing Allah.
The Fourth Pillar of Islam: To allow long-bearded, brutal, lecherous, old Muslim men to marry nine year old little girls against their will. Since Diaper Chaser Muhammad married a little girl six years old, and then had sex with her just before her ninth birthday, other Muslims are allowed to marry nine year old little girls, and consummate the "marriage vow" on the same night. Before marrying, the little girls must have their clitoris chopped off to keep them pure. It's pleasing to Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate, to mutilate little girls' sexual organs. (Comment: The last reports were that old, sex craved, sadistic Muslim men are going hog wild in accomplishing this pillar of Islam. It seems that depraved Muslim lechers can't wait to get into little girls' diapers).
The Fifth Pillar of Islam: To punish by stoning until dead, especially women. Also, to punish by severing off hands, feet, gouging out eyes, and by lashing with thick canes. Severing off heads, and cutting a throat now and then is also okay. It's always pleasing to Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate, to punish in this fashion. (Comment: Muslims, the Children of Satan are good at this trade since they have been practicing it for many centuries. Perhaps some day the Muslim brains will evolve and join the civilized world. There is always hope).

[Malfean]

To Europe:

Have you all recieved your complimentary skullcap and Qur'an yet?

Love,

North America

[George Miller]

I was reading online recently that Europe is becoming a theocracy… because we’ve abandoned god! A godless theocracy; the best oxymoron I’ve heard since fundamentalist non-believer.

There is one thing that is needed: to finally knock down the wall of respect and protection that religion is granted by default. We need to pull the Kevlar security blanket from the hands of the religious establishment and let people know that it is alright to criticize religious beliefs without fear of reprisal of any kind.

All I know is that if atheists were committing honor killings and using women with Down syndrome as human bombs nobody would have trouble criticizing them. All an atheist has to do today is write a book before they’re labeled “militants”. But fly a plane into a building and you’re acting in the name of the “religion of peace”. This is an upside down world we’re living in.