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Author Topic: Danish Professor Preaches Tolerance
Zaklamont
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Babbler # 5106

posted 28 February 2006 03:11 AM      Profile for Zaklamont        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
A North Georgia News web page reports on a Danish Professor's views on the Mohhammed cartoon controversy.

Overall, he preaches tolerance and understanding.

http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/hall/newfullstory.asp?ID=101457

What he says on free speech is:

As for the issue of freedom of speech, Sorensen quoted the aphorism, commonly attributed to Voltaire, “Even though I detest your views, I will die to defend your right to express them.”

“I think that embodies an essential part of democracy, that we should have the right to say what ever we want, and we should defend people’s right, but we should not use that as a blanket condonement of any type of speech,” he said, “We should realize that there is speech that is insensitive and overly critical, and we should think twice before we use it.”

Personally , I think that constraints need to be
placed when hatred is publically projected towards a people, as history shows that public hate speech often preceedes acts of violence and atrocity.

Otherwise, I am in favour of protecting free speech.

I find it difficult to understand the hypocrisy of those who demand brakes on freedom of expression, while running amok with their use of freedom of expression.

The Arab world has roundly criticized Western countries that allowed the publication of the Mohammed cartoons as opening the door to blasphemy, and disrespect of the Prophet.

Meanwhile, the cartoons they have published in their newspapers (mainly Government controlled) depicting Israel and Jews are dangerously provocative of hate.

Some of the cartoons at the link below are deeply disturbing

http://www.pmw.org.il/

But the one that beats them all is described below:

"Blood-drinking Jews are frequently shown by Al Ahram, one of Egypt's leading dailies. On 21 April 2001, it printed a cartoon showing an Arab being put into a flatting mill by two soldiers wearing helmets with Stars of David. The Arab's blood pours out and two Jews with kippot and Stars of David on their shirts drink the blood laughingly."

The Danish professor's exhortation for greater tolerance needs to be echoed credibly in the Arab world as well.


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