Offensive Cartoon

As for the news article regarding the arab press, someone asked for proof, I googled and that was top of the list.

ops154 wrote: We Americans know that our mainstream media is biased, it's all about what sells but the fact remains that we can and do get information from places other than the TV. Most muslim countries have state run media, which no muslim ever questions yet you question our FREE press. Free press means they can wright almost anything they want to. Hense free press. We as readers have the choice to not read the crap they are putting out. I don't watch my daily dose of Fox news or any other tv news program for that matter (maybe just the local news and weather). When it comes to national or international stories I go to the internet where i can get both sides of the argument and I can find the truth usually between the two extreme sides. Neither side gives you all the facts.  Many muslim nations (and others) don't have that choice, they listen to what the religous icons and government officials tell them too and that is the only information they get. I can admit that American tv does spin a lot of stories but it's still some of the most open in the world.

I guess you are assuming that no Muslim has access to the internet or satellite television? Bush has banned Al Jazeera from airing on conventioanl television in the U.S.  Is that open and free?

It may come as a surprise to many, but Muslims can make up their own minds about things. In fact, many islamic leaders have spoken out against the rioting and violence, but that's not good fodder for the headlines.

Mishmish wrote: Ketchup wrote: Then make yourselves heard.. it recently took the rantings of a guy stirring religious hatred to get you guys on the street... my initial stance stands, if you really cared you would have already been on the streets defending yourselves against those that are using your name for malicious means.. you haven't so what kind of message is that sending out to the rest of the world? Get a satellite: Muslims have been speaking out, protesting, and bending over backwards to be heard. No one in the non-Muslim world wants to listen until there is violence, then all of the self-righteous media pundits in the West can sit back and say: "See had badly they act, we've been telling you they're all murdering fanatics." and all the good moral people who are not Muslims can justify their hatred, distrust, and the killing.

Actually I have seen a couple stories and interviews with people who say this is not what the religion is about yet NO MASS PROTESTS in muslim nations. Instead we get shown the images of Muslims dancing in the streets when 3000+ Americans are killed by cowards. But like I said, we have the internet and we can access any site in the world so please point me to a link were it is showing images of mass protests against beheadings and bombings of civilians.

1. Fiqh Council of North America issued a Fatwa against terrorism, stating that people who commit it in the name of Islam were "criminals, not `martyrs."' ref
2. Leading clerics in Saudi Arabia have issued a Fatwa, stating terror attacks are serious criminal acts. the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh Abd al-Aziz bin Abdallah Aal al-Shaykh, said "These acts have nothing to do with jihad for the sake of God". (note: Riyadh, SA has been striked by triple suicide attacks) ref
3. Renowned Muslim scholar Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi denounced terrorism, saying "I categorically go against a committed Muslim's embarking on such attacks. Islam never allows a Muslim to kill the innocent and the helpless" ref
4. Leading Muslim scholars meeting in Amman Conference banned killing in the name of Islam. King Abdullah II denounced all kinds of religious extremism. ref
   
5. OIC Mecca Summit, statement "How can they (terrorists) speak and act for such perverted ideas entrenched as they are in ignorance, isolationism, hatred, and bloodletting?...we are also called upon to redouble and orchestrate international efforts to combat terrorism" ref
6. The International Counter-terrorism Conference, affirmed that terrorism continually threatens peace, security and stability, adding that there is no justification for terrorist acts which are always condemned. International Center for Combating Terrorism plan was accepted. ref