Whoops, your slip is showing Report: White House now says murders in Libya are a "terrorist" attack

The worst part of this change of wind direction comes from WH spokesman Jay Carney, who said this with a straight face, "It is self-evident that what happened in Benghazi was a terrorist attack"

Self-evident to whom, Jay?  Certainly not to you or anyone at the WH, otherwise you would have mentioned this "self evident" evidence at the beginning, instead of clinging to the lie that it was a spontaneous attack.  I would imagine that any minute now, the administration will issue an apology, and a statement upholding the absolute right of free speech for anyone and everyone, including that which is disagreed upon.

...crickets...

From The Denver Post September 21 by Helene Cooper

White House calls assault in Libya a "terrorist attack"

WASHINGTON — The White House, after more than a week in which it has come under fire from Republicans, is now calling last week's assault on the U.S. diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya, a "terrorist attack."

"It is self-evident that what happened in Benghazi was a terrorist attack," White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters traveling on Air Force One on Thursday. "Our embassy was attacked violently, and the result was four deaths of American officials."

Later Thursday, President Barack Obama said extremists used an anti-Islam video as an excuse to assault U.S. interests.

The POTUS couldn't even keep the lie awake for a week.  

Asked on Spanish-language network Univision whether the attack was by al-Qaeda, Obama said, "We don't know yet."

Also Thursday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced the creation of a panel to investigate the attack. The panel, called an Accountability Review Board, will be led by Thomas Pickering, a veteran diplomat and former undersecretary of state. The board is authorized by a 1986 law intended to strengthen security at U.S. diplomatic missions.

The assault, which actually occurred at the U.S. consulate, resulted in the deaths of four Americans, including J. Christopher Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya. U.S. officials have blamed militants who rushed to take advantage of anger over a video made in the United States that denigrated the Prophet Muhammad.

Obama administration officials initially said the attack had not been planned in advance. But, with the election less than two months away, they have come under criticism from Republican lawmakers who say the administration is playing down a threat for which it was unprepared.

White House officials, until now, have avoided calling the attack a terrorist attack. In congressional testimony Wednesday, Matthew Olsen, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, described it that way. Neither official offered any additional information on the assault.

On Tuesday, Clinton said there had been no intelligence warnings that an attack was imminent. She said that FBI investigators had arrived in Tripoli and that the United States, with the Libyan authorities, would find those responsible. She did not discuss any potential ties to al-Qaeda but blamed extremists opposed to the democratic changes in places like Libya, Tunisia and Egypt for the violence and protests around the region generally.

Asked whether he drew a connection between the Libyan attack, which occurred on Sept. 11, and the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon 11 years ago, Carney said, "The attack occurred on Sept 11, 2012, so we use the same calendar at the White House as you do."

Smarmy dhimmi, this Carney.

Read it all

Your Tax Dollars at Work Report: Obama spends $70K for Pakistan PSA's denouncing anti-jihad film

Of course there is nothing more pressing to the White House than winning the hearts and minds of our enemies.  So to spend $70K of your money to accomplish that goal is worth it.  The problem is that goal will never be reached; we cannot buy our protection through kowtowing to Islam.  Obama thinks we can, and for that it is eminently OK to say Obama is acting like a Muslim.

From FOXNews September 20

State Department spending $70G on Pakistan ads denouncing anti-Islam film

The American Embassy in Islamabad, in a bid to tamp down public rage over the anti-Islam film produced in the U.S., is spending $70,000 to air an ad on Pakistani television that features President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton denouncing the video.

The State Department said Thursday the embassy had compiled brief clips of Obama and Clinton rejecting the contents of the movie and extolling American tolerance for all religions into a 30-second public service announcement that is running on seven Pakistani networks. Obama and Clinton's comments, which are from previous public events in Washington, are in English but subtitled in Urdu, the main Pakistani language.

Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the aim was to get the messages to the widest possible audience in Pakistan, where tens of thousands of protestors angry about the film tried to reach the U.S. embassy before being turned back by Pakistani police. She said embassy staffers had decided the ads were the best way to spread the word. The seven networks have a potential audience of 90 million people, she added.

"The sense was that this particular aspect of the president and the secretary's message needed to be heard by more Pakistanis than had heard, and that this was an effective way to get that message out," Nuland told reporters in Washington. The ads are not running in other countries, she said.

In the ad, Obama is seen talking about America's tradition of religious tolerance and Clinton is seen saying that the U.S. government had nothing to do with the video that contains vulgar depiction of the Prophet Muhammad.

"We absolutely reject its content and message," Clinton says in the advertisement.

Now the question is; did the program work?  Did we get what we paid for?

From ABC News September 21 by Dana Hughes

Deadly Anti-U.S. Riots Despite Obama's Ad Denouncing Video

Deadly anti-U.S. protests erupted in Pakistan despite an unusual ad on Pakistani TV featuring President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denouncing the movie "Innocence of Muslims," the anti-Islam video that has fueled much of the Pakistani fury.

The ads have been running this week on seven different Pakistani television stations in an attempt to cool tempers over the film, but today's protests were the largest seen so far since the controversy began in Pakistan last week with the attempted storming of the U.S. embassy.

The Pakistani government declared a national holiday to honor the prophet, sending people into the streets in cities across the country. In several cities the protests turned deadly with reports of at least 15 people killed.

In Karachi, where there was the most violence, at least 12 people were killed, including two policemen. The police were able to keep the protesters away from the United States consulate there.

In Peshawar, protesters torched two movie theaters and at least two people were killed, but the violence occurred a significant distance from the U.S. consulate.

Protesters in Islamabad were able to get closer to the area where the U.S. and other Western embassies are based, but police fired tear gas and live rounds in the air to disperse the crowd. By the end of the day it was estimated around 80,000 people were marching.

Good job, dhimmi Obama.

Read them all

If we would only gut the first amendment this would never have happened: UTB bomb threat came because of "insulting" film about Muhammad

We don't need freedom of speech, it only causes problems.  Like this poor fellow who, after being insulted decides to try a little jihad.  If there were laws in place to stifle speech that is "insulting" he would not have been driven to kill.  Question; what would insult you enough to kill?  Bad service at the IHOP?  A small crucifix of Jesus in urine?  Long lines at the gas station?  A badly made movie about your God?  Poor customer service at the bank? A Jew?  A Christian?  It is all up to you how to react, and Islam reacts badly every time.

From ValleyCentral September 17 by Sergio Chapa

Derogatory comment against Islam motive in UTB bomb threat

Court records show that a derogatory comment made against Islam was the motive in a weekend bomb threat at the University of Texas at Brownsville.

UTB police arrested 25-year-old Henry Dewitt McFarland III on a terroristic threat charge on Sunday afternoon.

The Harlingen man is accused of phoning in a bomb threat to the UTB campus early Sunday morning.

Court records released on Monday show that McFarland made the threat to the National Veteran's Crisis Hotline.

McFarland allegedly told the operator is a Marine Corps veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and in the process of converting to Islam.

PTSD and Islam, the perfect combination.

According to the records, McFarland was planning to detonate a bomb in retaliation to a classmate making a derogatory remark against the Muslim faith.

McFarland told the operator that he had a pressure plate bomb in his living room.

The Harlingen veteran told the operator that he (was) receiving counseling for anger management and domestic violence.

I wonder if McFarland knows about sura 4 verse 34 which gives permission for a Muslim man to beat his wife if she misbehaves.  I wonder if the counselor knows this as well.

Read it all

Free Speech victory in NYC: anti-jihad ads to run in the subway

This is a great day for freedom fighters and supporters of the 1st amendment.  A court has ruled that the NYC transit authority cannot refuse the ads bought by the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI) which say "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad"  Muslims are up in arms over these ads, as are those who support jihad and the suppression of free speech rights and give aid to those "savages" that created jihad against NYC, London, Madrid and the myriad of places jihadists have murdered innocents.  

Support the civilized man, defeat jihad.  It's the only way to go.

From CNN September 19 by Erinn Cawthon

Controversial 'Defeat Jihad' ad to appear in NYC subways

New York (CNN) -- A controversial advertisement that critics say is hateful toward Muslims will appear in New York City subway stations starting next week, despite the city's attempts to halt the campaign.

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority initially rejected the ad, which reads: "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."

The authority's decision was overturned last month when a federal judge ruled that the ad is protected speech under the First Amendment.

Jihad -- Arabic for "struggle" -- is considered a religious duty for Muslims, although there are peaceful and violent interpretations of what it means.

The American Freedom Defense Initiative, which produced the ad, has been fighting to place the message in New York's subway system since last year after the authority refused to display it.

"We don't think it's controversial," said Pamela Geller, the executive director of the American Freedom Defense Initiative. "It's truth. The MTA has run anti-Israel ads before and no one had an issue about it. 'Any war on innocent civilians is savagery': What's controversial here?"

Starting next week, the ads will be displayed in 10 of the city's more than 400 subway stations. The exact locations have not been selected by the transportation authority.

Geller said she had no qualms about releasing the message amid ongoing protests against an American-made anti-Islam film clip that led to the death of the U.S. ambassador to Libya last week.

"If it's not a film, it's a cartoon, it's always some event," Geller said. "I will not sacrifice my freedom."

As Geller points out, it will always be something that riles the "religion of the perpetually insulted."

Read it all

Iran: cleric beaten by woman after telling her to cover up

I just can't stop laughing at this one.  Cleric Hojatoleslam Ali Beheshti saw the woman as he was on the way to his mosque, and after telling her to "cover up" she replied with scorn and a beating, telling the cleric he should avert his eyes.  Finally, one Muslim woman stands up for her rights as a female and physically fights back.  I applaud her, and so should all of us.  She stands as a beacon of liberty against the backdrop of Islamic doctrinal suppression against women, lets pray she does not meet the same fate as other women who have dared to stand against the patriarchal society that is Islam.

Bravo.

From Bloomberg September 19 by Ladane Nasseri

Iran Cleric Pummeled by ‘Badly Covered’ Woman After Warning

An Iranian cleric said he was beaten by a woman in the northern province of Semnan after giving her a warning for being “badly covered,” the state-run Mehr news agency reported.

Hojatoleslam Ali Beheshti said he encountered the woman in the street while on his way to the mosque in the town of Shahmirzad, and asked her to cover herself up, to which she replied “you, cover your eyes,” according to Mehr. The cleric repeated his warning, which he said prompted her to insult and push him.

“I fell on my back on the floor,” Beheshti said in the report. “I don’t know what happened after that, all I could feel was the kicks of this woman who was insulting me and attacking me.”

Since the 1979 revolution that brought Shiite Muslim religious leaders to power, women in Iran have been required to cover their hair and body curves in public with head-scarves and loose-fitting coats, to protect religious values and “preserve society’s morals and security.”

The government condemns short, tight and colorful coats and loosely tied head-scarves, and routinely organizes police patrols to enforce the Islamic dress code. Public surveillance increases in summer when some women opt for flimsier clothing.

Beheshti said he was hospitalized for three days. The Iranian cleric said it was his religious duty to apply the principle of “commanding right and forbidding wrong,” and that he would continue to do so even after living through what he called “the worst day of my life.”

She must have packed quite the punch to lay Beheshti out for three days.  No lesson was learned, however so mayby there will be more beatings for Beheshti in the future.  We can only pray there are more women like this un-named one out there.

It isn’t the first time that clerics in Iran have been beaten up after delivering warnings, Mehr said.

And in other Jihad news...

Somalia sees at least 6 murdered in the capitol Mogadishu.  No word on whether the movie caused this rage.

From Reuters/Yahoo September 20 by Abdi Sheikh and Mohamed Ahmed

Suicide bombers kill at least six in Somali capital

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Two suicide bombers walked into a restaurant in central Mogadishu and blew themselves up, killing at least six people, witnesses said, less than a week after militant bombers targeted the country's new president.

A Reuters photographer said he could see six bodies as well as the severed heads of the two bombers. Chairs and tables were strewn across the restaurant and pools of blood covered the flooring.

"Two suicide bombers targeted a restaurant called 'The Village' opposite the theatre. There are bodies and there are wounded people," said Mohamed Sheikh, a security guard at the National Theatre located opposite the blast site.

The election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud last week was hailed by his supporters as a vote for change in a country mired in conflict for more than two decades.

But the latest attacks underscore the security challenges the political newcomer faces as African forces battle to quash a five-year insurgency waged by the Islamist rebel group, al Shabaab.

The restaurant, called "The Village", is owned by a well known Somali businessman who returned to Somalia from Britain recently.

I wonder if this kind of hate speech would be covered under the coming blasphemy laws

"Oh Allah, destroy the rancorous Christians. Oh Allah, destroy the rancorous Christians and the corrupting Jews. Oh Allah, destroy them for they cannot withstand you."

Probably not.  

From MEMRI September 14 

Death of Free Speech Report: OIC restarts push for global blasphemy laws

The movie was just the pretext for a more strident attempt to squelch any critical analysis of Islamic doctrine.  The OIC has been at the forefront of trying to get blasphemy laws passed through then UN, and their first try was less than successful.  Now they have more ammunition, and there is the very real chance they may get their wish this time around.  The cries for the suppression of "hate speech" as defined by Muslims themselves are growing louder.  We must protect the first amendment at all costs, for without the freedom to speak ones mind we are at the mercy of tyrants.

From Reuters September 19 by Robert Evans


Islamic states to reopen quest for global blasphemy law

(Reuters) - A leading Islamic organization signaled on Wednesday that it will revive long-standing attempts to make insults against religions an international criminal offence.

The bid follows uproar across the Muslim world over a crude Internet video clip filmed in the United States and cartoons in a French satirical magazine that lampoon the Prophet Mohammad.

But it appears unlikely to win acceptance from Western countries determined to resist restrictions on freedom of speech and already concerned about the repressive effect of blasphemy laws in Muslim countries such as Pakistan.

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary-general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), said the international community should "come out of hiding from behind the excuse of freedom of expression", a reference to Western arguments against a universal blasphemy law that the OIC has sought for over a decade.

He said the "deliberate, motivated and systematic abuse of this freedom" were a danger to global security and stability.

In other words, keep your mouth shut and we will let you live...for now.  But if you piss us off again, which we know you will, we will destroy all that is sacred to you and your society.

Separately, the Human Rights Commission of the OIC, which has 57 members and is based in Saudi Arabia, said "growing intolerance towards Muslims" had to be checked and called for "an international code of conduct for media and social media to disallow the dissemination of incitement material".

We are already on that path, so the next step would be the actual criminalizing of that kind of speech.  It's coming folks, mark my words.

Read it all

Special Report: we have "peaceful" protests in Thailand over blasphemous film

Yet the crowd seemed to content themselves with shouting the usual screeds; "Stop Insulting our Religion", Death to America" and "Death to Israel"

It's nice to know the message has not changed, even if the behavior has...for the moment.

From AP September 18

MUSLIMS STAGE PEACEFUL FILM PROTEST IN BANGKOK

BANGKOK (AP) -- Police say 400 people have protested peacefully outside the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok against an anti-Islam video produced in the United States that has sparked demonstrations in many Muslim countries.

About 700 police were on hand Tuesday to maintain order for the demonstration, organized by a group called the International Al Quds Federation of Thailand. The group had called for a peaceful protest on its Facebook page.

Protesters carried signs and banners saying "We love Prophet Muhammad" and "Stop insulting our religion," and chanted "Down with America" and "Down with Israel."

A protest leader, Sa-id Sulaiman Husseini, said the world could become a "sea of fire" if the American government does not stop the distribution of the film.

Death of Free Speech Report: Arab League working on furthering International blasphemy laws

"Valueless and trivial" is how Arab League Chief Nabil al-Araby categorizes the film, and because of that vacuous feeling he wants to have global anti-blasphemy laws passed.  Funny how Muslims are the only ones that kill when insulted, meaning that any law that criminalizes questioning Islam will apply exclusively to Islam.  No other religion murders when their God/prophet/fetish is slighted.  

From the Egypt Independent September 19

Arab League eyes blasphemy bill, Syria solution

Arab League chief Nabil al-Araby said Wednesday that the league, along with the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the European Union and the African Union are close to formulating an international agreement penalizing blasphemy and insults to religious figures.

States should not be blamed for insults to Islam made by some individuals, Araby told reporters at the league's headquarters in Cairo. He renewed his criticism of the US-produced film that denigrates Islam's Prophet Mohamed and has sparked protests around the world, describing it as "valueless and trivial."

Read it all

Egypt: first the lawsuit, then the fatwa

Coming at this from multiple angles, taking their cues from how we in the West address injustice.  Adding the extra touch of a religious edict only adds to the justification.

From The Times of India September 18

Egypt cleric issues fatwa against 'Innocence of Muslims' cast, crew

WASHINGTON: A Salafist cleric in Egypt is calling for the deaths of all those involved in the making of an anti-Muslim film that has outraged the Islamic world, SITE Intelligence Group said on Monday.

In a statement, the terrorism monitoring service said Ahmad Fouad Ashoush issued his fatwa, or religious edict, against the cast and crew of " Innocence of Muslims" via jihadist internet forums over the weekend.

Special Report: “The US must make a law against blasphemy – or we will not let the US consulates in Pakistan function”

OK then, close our embassies in Pakistan and anywhere else we are seen as infidels.  Better that than to give up the right of free speech just to placate Muslims.  Which wouldn't work anyway, they would just find something else to be insulted about.

From The Express Tribune September 17 by Rana Tanveer

Ultimatum to US: ‘Criminalise blasphemy or lose consulate’

Lahore - Several Muslim parties and a Christian group held rallies on Sunday to protest against a movie released in America.

Around 10,000 people participated in the main rally organised on The Mall by the Tehreek Hurmat-i-Rasool (THR). The participants marched from Nila Gumbad to Masjid-i-Shuhada on The Mall. Despite a ban on rallies on The Mall, the road remained blocked for vehicular traffic from noon to 6pm.

The rally was addressed by Jamatud Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, THR head Ameer Hamza, JD leader Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, Pakistan Muslim League (Zia) head Ijazul Haq, Jamaat Ulema Islam-Sami (JUI-S) leader Asim Makhdoom and Jamaat Ahle Hadith ameer Hafiz Abdul Ghaffar Ropari.

One of the participants of the rally, Abdullah Ismail, passed away after he was taken to Mayo Hospital. Witnesses said he had complained of feeling unwell from the smoke from US flags burnt at the rally.

Hafiz Saeed alleged that the film, Innocence of Muslims, had been produced with the backing of US establishment. He said the director, the producer and all those involved in the production and release of the movie must be hanged publicly. “The US must make a law against blasphemy – or we will not let the US consulates in Pakistan function,” he said.

He said a resolution condemning the movie in the parliament was not enough. Instead, President Asif Ali Zardari must announce jihad against countries like the US that supported attacks on Islam. The Organisation of Islamic Countries Conference should announce a boycott of US goods. Ijazul Haq, the PML-Z chief, said the people had shown their loyalty to Islam. He said the government leader’s silence was shameful. He said no one had dared commit blasphemy during his father Ziaul Haq’s rule.

Shabab-i-Milli, the youth wing of the Jamaat-i-Islami, also held a rally near Punjab University’s new campus.

Speaking to the gathering, Jamaat-i-Islami Ameer Munawar Hasan said the film had been produced by a Zionist with US support.

He said, “If the US claims to be a civilised nation, why does it stoop to insult other religions and civilisations?”

Why do Muslims murder and maim at the slightest slight?

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First Egypt, now Lebanon files charges against film-makers

And the most distressing part of this is that there are many in the West who applaud and support these measures.  They do not know they are slitting their own throats.

From The Daily Star September 18

Harb says willing to join suit against anti-Islam filmmakers

BEIRUT: March 14 coalition MP Butros Harb said Tuesday that he would be willing to join with other lawyers to file a lawsuit against the makers of a film that insults Islam’s Prophet Mohammad, describing the film’s content as harmful to coexistence.

“I am willing to participate in filing a lawsuit against the filmmakers,” Harb, a lawyer, said in a news conference at his office in Hazmieh, southeast of Beirut.

He added that the film, which was produced in the U.S., harms not only Islam but also “all celestial religions, the Arab Spring and the formula of coexistence.”

“Resorting to protests is justified, but the optimal solution is via a legal framework,” he said, referring to the series of demonstrations organized by Hezbollah this week against the movie.

Read it all

Special Report: Egypt opens legal case against film-makers

A empty show of force, as the people who made the film are here in the US.  Doubtful they will return to Egypt to be prosecuted.

From AGI September 18

Seven US-resident Egyptians charged over 'Innocence' movie

(AGI) - Cairo, 18 Sep - Egyptian prosecutors have opened proceedings against Coptic Egyptian citizens involved in the making of the Innocence of Muslims. Charges of "insulting the Islamic religion and its Prophet" and of "inciting sectarian conflict" are being pressed against seven US-resident Egyptians, namely Morris Sadek, Adel Riad, Nabil Bissada, Esmat Zaklama, Elia Bassily, Ihab Yaacoub and Jack Atallah.
Prosecution is yet to set a trial date. . .

"Palestinians" angry Romney told the truth, fall back to ad hominum attacks

A few days ago, Romney was secretly filmed talking off the cuff and everyone is focusing on his remark about the "47%" but his remarks about "Palestine" have garnered almost no coverage.  I think this is a much more important topic than arguing about who pays what in taxes, the threat of our free speech rights being abrogated is much more real and pressing.  Now, the "Palestinian" leaders are up in arms over Romney daring to say what he believes, based in historical fact.  For those who believe that the "Palestinians" are the poor, victimized peoples who want nothing more than to live in peace, and that their leaders really want peace with Israel, take a look at some recent articles here, here, here and here that show Hamas, and the "Palestinians" do not want peace with Israel, at any cost.

From Haaretz September 19

Palestinians condemn Romney for suggesting they aren't interested in peace

The Palestinian Authority has denounced remarks by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who told donors that Palestinians "have no interest" in peace with Israel.

According to comments captured on newly released video of his private remarks to wealthy donors, Romney said Palestinians are "committed to the destruction and elimination of Israel" and that the prospects for a two-state solution to Mideast peace were dim. He also suggested that efforts at Mideast peace under his administration would languish.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Romney was wrong to accuse them of not seeking peace.

"No one stands to gain more from peace with Israel than Palestinians and no one stands to lose more in the absence of peace than Palestinians," Erekat told Reuters. "Only those who want to maintain the Israeli occupation will claim the Palestinians are not interested in peace.

Nabil Abu Rdeneh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said: "We are ready for peace that is based on the 1967 borders, a two-state solution and stopping settlement activities. Thus, it is not true that we are not ready for peace, but rather, it is the Israeli side that is not ready for peace.

"We think that these statements are part of the election campaign, but unfortunately, it will not help the peace process, but rather, will strengthen the voices of extremism and the voices of those who refuse to reach a two-state solution," Rdeneh said.

Palestinian lawmaker and scholar Hanan Ashrawi accused Romney of "destroying the chances for peace" and called his remarks "irresponsible and dangerous and both ignorant and prejudiced."

In his private remarks to donors, Romney said the Palestinians are committed to Israel's destruction and elimination.

He is absolutely correct.  No amount of spin or gnashing of teeth will change that.

Article 13 of the Hamas Charter says this "Initiatives, and so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences, are in contradiction to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement. Abusing any part of Palestine is abuse directed against part of religion. Nationalism of the Islamic Resistance Movement is part of its religion. Its members have been fed on that." 

Read it all

Obama says Muslim world must protect American and Western presence

But he does not say what will happen if they don't.

Probably another strongly worded statement, maybe even a memo.

From Todays Zaman September 18

Obama: Muslim world must help protect Americans abroad
President Barack Obama on Tuesday pressed leaders of the Muslim world to help ensure security for Americans in their countries after a wave of violence against US diplomatic compounds.

"The message we have to send to the Muslim world is we expect you to work with us to keep our people safe," Obama said during a taped interview with CBS's David Letterman in New York. "We expect their full cooperation because that's the only way the world works."

Excuse me while I throw up.

Protesters have attacked US embassies and burned American flags after an obscure California-made film triggered an attack on the US consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi last week that killed US Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.

Obama, who has ordered tightened security at US's installations, called the video "offensive" but said it was not an excuse for violence.

Iran: strongly worded memo sent to the UN over the movie

Of course they did.

From New Straits Times September 17

Iran writes to UN over anti-Islam film

 

Giving "da finga" to free speech

TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi wrote a letter to United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to protest against the anti-Islam film produced in California, which has sparked protests across the Muslim world, Iran's Mehr News Agency (MNA) reported.

Meanwhile, the Iranian ambassador to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hamid Reza Dehqani on Monday said that foreign ministers of Muslim countries will soon discuss the issue of the insult to Prophet Muhammad.

Read it all

Insulting Muslims, haram. Showing Muslims raging over the insult, haram. Censoring free speech, halal

It is a game we will lose as long as we accept the premise that Islam is not to be questioned.  Our capitulation to the Gods of ignorance and a false peace can lead down only one road, that of silence in the face of Islamic hegemony.  I applaud Newsweek for putting on the cover the graphic rage encompassing Islam.  I would only hope that people see it for what it is, a face of hate, rather than what the media wants us to see, the face of Muslims angry that a non-Muslim said something they didn't like about Muhammad and Islam.

From HuffPo September 17 by Jack Mirkinson

Newsweek's 'MUSLIM RAGE' Cover Draws Angry Protest (PHOTO)

The magazine's new issue leads with an article by the highly polarizing Ayaan Hirsi Ali about the protests currently taking place in the Middle East. As if that wasn't enough, the issue's cover is a scorcher. A blaring headline reading "MUSLIM RAGE" sits atop a picture of wild-eyed, bearded, saliva-flecked men:

 

What I love most about this picture is, we have the collective hatred of 1400 years of Islam expressed on the faces of the two men, and the one on the right has a cellphone in his pocket.  The rage stays the same, only the technology changes.

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Death of Free Speech Report: UN head Ban Ki-moon slams free speech,

"When some people use this freedom of expression to provoke or humiliate some others' values and beliefs, then this cannot be protected in such a way."

Say goodbye to our free speech rights, they are vanishing before our eyes.  When the head of the UN starts calling for censorship of speech you can bet international laws to criminalize free speech are not far off.  

As the headline reads, it assumes saying something someone doesn't like is abuse.  The movie-maker did not call for the death of anyone, did not ask people to hurt or maim Muslims and by the widest definition did not yell fire in a crowded theatre.  Yet if you say anything that might be insulting to Muslim you will have to be silenced.   

From Reuters September 19 by Michelle Nichols

U.N. chief says anti-Islam filmmaker abused freedom of expression

(Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday the maker of an anti-Islam film that triggered violent protests across the Muslim world abused his right to freedom of expression by making the movie, which he called a "disgraceful and shameful act."

The film, posted on the Internet under several titles including "Innocence of Muslims," mocked the Prophet Mohammad and portrayed him as a womanizer and a fool.

It sparked days of deadly anti-American violence in many Muslim countries, including an assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi in Libya in which the U.S. ambassador died.

"Freedoms of expression should be and must be guaranteed and protected, when they are used for common justice, common purpose," Ban told a news conference.

"When some people use this freedom of expression to provoke or humiliate some others' values and beliefs, then this cannot be protected in such a way."

"My position is that freedom of expression, while it is a fundamental right and privilege, should not be abused by such people, by such a disgraceful and shameful act," he said.

Always remember that free speech rights are meant to protect speech we do not agree with, not speech we all agree with.  Ban Ki-moon obviously doesn't get it.

A California man convicted of bank fraud was taken in for questioning on Saturday by U.S. authorities investigating possible probation violations stemming from the making of the video. He has denied involvement in the film and has now gone into hiding.

Death of Free Speech Report: EU parliament president calls for an end to the "ridicule" of Islam

Martin Schulz condemns the ridicule of Islam.  Martin Schulz is practicing to be the first EU head dhimmi.

From KUNA September 15

EU Parliament President denounces attempts to ridicule Islam
BRUSSELS, Sept 15 (KUNA) - European Parliament President Martin Schulz Saturday condemned the defamation of Islam linked with the release of an anti-Islam film in the US that has caused outrage in the Muslim world.

" I strongly condemn the use of religion to incite hatred and violence. In the same manner, I strongly denounce any attempt to ridicule Islam," he said in a statemet.[sic]

Schulz also condemned attacks against US and EU diplomatic missions around the world and on NATO's Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.

"I strongly condemn this unjustified violence and those who fuel it," he said and urged all leaders in the affected areas to do their utmost to protect diplomatic staff in their countries and to avoid all kind of inflammatory rhetoric.