Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Will It Ever Stop? ***EDITED***

Let me answer my own question - NO!

Yesterday a group of anti-American terrorists breached the walls of the American consulate in Benghazi in Libya. The American ambassador and three others were killed.

There was also violence in Egypt at the U.S. Embassy where the U.S. flag was removed and the flag of Islam was put in its place, although I cannot find any mention of murder being committed there.

Why? Why now? Didn't we just help the Libyans to freedom? Didn't we stand beside them (or, fly our planes over their heads) so that they may be free? Why the sudden onslaught of violence?

"The mobs were set off by Egyptian media reports about a 14-minute trailer for the video, called “Innocence of Muslims,” that was released on the Web. The trailer opens with scenes of Egyptian security forces standing idle as Muslims pillage and burn the homes of Egyptian Christians. Then it cuts to cartoonish scenes depicting the Prophet Muhammad as a child of uncertain parentage, a buffoon, a womanizer, a homosexual, a child molester and a greedy, bloodthirsty thug.

The Wall Street Journal identified this man as an Israeli-American, but according to NPR, Bacile identifies himself as "an Israeli Jew." And he is in hiding in case someone wants to come after him!! The worst kind of coward who can hide behind a camera and his alleged God and get people killed. Now he runs away with his tail between his legs.

I am sick over this. Wanton death and destruction. And of course there are those who blame the President.

Before the violence (according to MSNBC, although I cannot find corroboration) the U.S. State Department issued a press release stating:

"The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others."

So now the President is on another "apology tour" (Romney's words, not mine)

Let me tell you what I think of all of this.
#1. If Bacile (no, Mr. sorry that is a term of respect) wants to identify himself as an Israeli Jew, then he needs to move to Israel. Do not live in my country, cause the death of others using the Bill of Rights that many have died for and not identify yourself as an American.

#2. I cannot find proof that Terrie Jones (alleged preacher) of Gainesville, FL had a hand in promoting this film, but if he did, he needs to be jailed. His complete disregard for the lives of others (and this goes for Bacile also) should not be covered by the First Amendment's Freedom of Speech. That was never the point.

#3. I believe in our Constitution and I appreciate the Bill of Rights that allows me to have this 'blog and to make my thoughts and feelings known to the few of you who actually read it. It also allows me to look back over the last 6 years of my life, kind of like a journal, but I do not believe in absolute free speech.

In Schenck v United States, the Supreme Court held that:
"Words which, ordinarily and in many places, would be within the freedom of speech protected by the First Amendment may become subject to prohibition when of such a nature and used in such circumstances a to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils which Congress has a right to prevent. The character of every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done."

Which means you can't yell "Fire" in a crowded theater and you cannot (without penalty) create movies depicting the Prophet Muhammed as a whore.

This country loses its mind when Americans desecrete our own flag (if you remind me, I will try to share what I learned earlier this year in my art class re: the US flag). Who remembers the outrage over "The Last Temptation of Christ"? And the comdemnation over "The DaVinci Code"? Because both portrayed Jesus as non-celibate. How many people would lose their minds if Jesus were portrayed a whoring drunk of uncertain parentage?

No, we would not fire bomb someone's embassy.. well, most of us wouldn't. But a lot of that has to do with the fact that we are lazy. And D.C. is far away.

I do believe that those who created this nightmare should be charged with whatever we can throw at them. And Bacile does not want to endure an American prison, he can go to Israel and spend his old age there.

****EDITED*****

OK, I've calmed down and understand that we all have access to the First Amendment and this should probably be covered under it, even when it makes me mad. But I don't think that YouTube has to actually carry the movie and there is no reason for any company to distribute it!

4 comments:

Mr. Charleston said...

I don't believe we should tiptoe around afraid of offending Muslims for whatever reason. Freedom of speech is freedom of speech. Religious fanatics are going to kill the infidels no matter what the supposed provocation. Since most of these idiots still live in the 12th century we obviously have a long way to go.

LeftLeaningLady said...

But I think that we should understand that they live in the 12th century. Yes, we have Freedom of Speech, but they do not UNDERSTAND that. To them this movie came from the government or the church because they do not do anything without permission from one of those entities!

(O)CT(O)PUS said...

LLL,
Despite our virtually unbridled rights to free speech, I tend to agree with you. There are times when free speech goes too far ... especially when it incites violence and murder. I couldn't give a damn about offending radicals (who turn themselves into explosive ping-pong balls under any pretext) but I care a great deal when angry mobs take out their vengeance on innocent victims. And, yes, I do blame people like Terry Jones and the 'Im Baciles' of this world who have a callous disregard for those victims.

Free speech is just as cherished in Western Europe as in the US, Yet holocaust denial and anti-semitic speech is not allowed in most Western European countries. Religious freedom is also a cherished right. Yet Scientologists and other cults are not welcome in Germany.

There was a time when "Truth in Advertising" meant something. Today, any political candidate can smugly broadcast deceits and deceptions with impunity, because outright lies are constitutionally protected forms of free speech.

Lacking today are community standards - those unspoken rules that keep free speech within generally accepted norms. In this country, however, there are always bigots and boors who continually push all standards of civility further into the wilderness.

LeftLeaningLady said...

Yes, our form of government protected free speech is extreme and many (even in Europe) do not understand it. What I find the most horrifying is that no one seems to CARE if there are lies told. No one seems to CARE WHY this happened. I know many who are angry, not because Mitt(ens) spoke incorrectly about what had happened, but because the President did not speak first.

Wasn't he busy? You know, being President?