I am amazed that, despite what has been happening in the Middle East for the past few weeks, SpartanEdge.com has decided to post the cartoons for all to see.

I know that the debate on freedom of speech is likely to explode on campus in coming weeks, but why would anyone decide to do that? Can't you see that the images have angered these people abroad?

I believe that if anyone was truly curious enough to view the cartoons, they could have easily searched for them on the Web and found them elsewhere.

But to post something that has caused so much anger is completely beyond me.

Although the site's publisher, Bonnie Bucqueroux, says "You have to see the images to understand it. It's like a photo of a lynching or the Oklahoma City bombing," I disagree. Although these things invoke strong feelings, they do not send the same message.

In our society, if you will, it is like showing the complete, unedited video of the beheading of a hostage on television. People would be outraged that something like that was broadcast, and people would likely protest that it was in bad taste.

That is the same sort of thing that is going on here, and I hope that people use more caution in the future while dealing with sensitive events.

Matt Freechack
zoology junior