Robert Spencer's essay Cartoon Rage vs. Freedom of Speech includes the notorious cartoons themselves, and links to the evolving stories of the aftermath.
Meanwhile, the fury continues to build. See Michelle Malkin's "In Their Own Words", on the protest in London. Here we have Muslims expressing themselves freely, in opposition to the free expression of others, all permitted by the society they hate for being so permissive. More from Michelle on the violent Muslim reaction to the growing insistence by the European press that freedom of speech must be defended.
And regardless of the cartoonists' right to publish them, Hugh Hewitt calls the Danish cartoons a "gift to the jihadists". His thoughtful post today advises "don't cheer the vulgar and the stupid."
Most of the cartoons deemed so offensive by Muslims, however, seem downright tame compared to the vile anti-Semitic cartoons published regularly in the Arab press. Rodger Morrow has more examples here.
Related:
Times Online: Danish cartoonists go into hiding.
The Guardian covers the reaction in the Muslim world.
UPDATE 2/4: More reality therapy from Hugh Hewitt today:
So, did the cartoons and their aftermath make it easier or more diffcult for Musharraf of Pakistan to continue to guide his country away from the lure of the jihadists? Easier or more difficult for Turkey to remain a friend of the West's? Easier or more difficult for the pro-Western people of Iran to summon the courage to change their government? Easier or more difficult for Jordan's King Abdullah to continue his course, which has included support for the reconstruction of Iraq even in the face of Zarqawi's murderers?In a wired world, there aren't any inconsequential actions, and everything is grist for the propagandists among the jihadists.
That doesn't mean censorship, or even self-censorship. Only a bit of reflection before rushing off to start new battles which divert attention from those already underway.
There is a chasm of difference between serious commentary on the Islamic challenge facing Europe and the West... and crude, sweeping anti-Muslim propaganda. It isn't necessary to defend the latter in order to uphold and praise the former.
An online video presentation from danishcartoons.ytmnd.com
UPDATE 2/6: Glenn posted a large online gallery of various images and artistic depictions of Mohammed down through the years, so it seems it hasn't always been something that incited Muslims to riot.
Posted by dan at February 3, 2006 11:35 PM | TrackBack