Two letters from ARI on the Danish cartoons. First:
Dear Editor:End the Jihad Against Free Speech
The reaction of many Western leaders to Muslim death threats over cartoons depicting Mohammad has been apologies and hand-wringing.
This reaction is cowardly and unconscionable. Freedom of speech is a vital principle of civilized society. Militant groups that threaten anti-Western violence in response to a cartoon–and states that support such groups–are enemies of the civilized world. Western governments must do whatever is necessary to make sure that these groups and states do not act on their threats.
Dr. Yaron Brook
Ayn Rand Institute executive director
Irvine, CA
2121 Alton Parkway #250
949-222-6550
Dear Editor:Do Not Apologize for Cartoons of Mohammad
European newspapers must refuse to apologize for running cartoons of Mohammad. But instead of applauding those papers that have stood their ground defending free speech, the U.S. government has shamefully endorsed Muslim complaints against the “blasphemous” cartoons.
Blasphemy violates no one’s rights; whoever finds such cartoons offensive, can avert his gaze. To cave in to intimidation and not publish anything Muslims (or any other group) feel is offensive is to surrender the crucial principle of free speech.
Ultimately, this clash is about respecting man’s right to express his views, however unpopular, in the face of religious attempts to subordinate that right to mystical dogmas. Instead of appeasing the mobs who call for executing anyone offending their faith, the United States must support those who share our political ideal of free speech.
Dr. Yaron Brook
Ayn Rand Institute executive director
Irvine, CA
2121 Alton Parkway #250
949-222-6550
And here’s the copyright notice for both:
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