Cartoon-related controversy sounds familiar.
Last fall, a Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, published a series of 12 illustrations depicting the Muslim prophet Muhammad.
Many of the cartoons were meant to criticize aspects of Islamic doctrine, but others associate violence with the prophet. One cartoon shows a bomb as Muhammad's turban.
Any renderings of Muhammad are forbidden in Islam.
The newspaper defends publishing the illustrations by reaffirming its right to freedom of the press, but Muslims all over the world, including Europe, Asia and the Middle East, are protesting its decision.
European and Danish products have been boycotted or banned from stores and countries such as Iran, Iraq, Eygpt and Pakistan.
Diplomats from Iraq and Iran have met with the Danish government to discuss the cartoons.
And Islamic protests have been attracting widespread attention for weeks.
It sounds similar to The State News' situation last semester when a controversial cartoon was published on Veterans' Day. The cartoon depicted an American soldier holding a bloody, spiked-club, telling a veteran he worked in a death camp.
We can understand, having been there ourselves, the newspaper's point of view — freedom of the press and the right to criticize are sacred aspects of journalism.
Nobody has to like the cartoon. And people have every right to be angry and protest it — just lawfully.
In the news we see demonstrators massively, and sometimes violently, protesting Denmark and the illustrations published by the Danish newspaper.
Demonstrators in Lebanon and other cities have attacked police, destroyed property and burned Danish embassies and flags.
It seems counterproductive if Muslims are trying to protest against the idea that Islam is not fundamentally violent.
Especially since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the media is hesitant to do or say anything offensive toward Islam. No one wants to set off a movement of discrimination, despite constant warnings from the Bush administration of Middle Eastern terrorist spies throughout the nation.
Every religion is criticized. Just think back to the time when news broke of Catholic priests molesting young boys or the recent cracks at Scientology. People have the right to question or express their opinion through appropriate means, even if it might be offending people.
The overall point in doing so is to promote thoughtful discussion — not to piss people off.
True, the cartoons are not a fair representation of every Muslim. But there needs to be peaceful discussion and debate to clear up misconceptions people have about Islam and Middle Eastern politics — not violence.
We can start right here, right now, on this page.
