The "offended" offenders

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Originally uploaded by Rigmarole.

The recent attempts to placate Muslim demonstrators--and calls to "understand" how "deeply offended" the Danish cartoons depicting Mohammed are to Muslims-- frankly offends me to the point of fury. The reasons for this are, literally, graphically clear. The source of my rage is not hard to locate--it is readily available on websites which offer up the richly perverted tradition of antisemitic cartoons and televised antisemitic and anti-American propaganda disseminated throughout the Muslim world on a regular basis.

It seems to me that the West has been put in the position of the over-indulgent parent who is haplessly trying to placate an out of control bully. Anyone who's seen an adult trying to patiently deal with an irrational, screaming child who does not understand anything but what they want when they want it should be able to see the parallels here.

Muslim extemists do not speak the same language we do, and never will. They are not interested in fairness or consistency. The freedom and democracy we hold so dear are anathema to them, and so any attempt to appease them will just be seen as another sign of weakness on our part, aiding them in their determintioin to bend the whole world to their radically insane will. Fascism of any kind--religious or otherwise--is not about freedom, or equality, or fairness. Trying to reason with these fanatics is reminiscent of Europe's attempts to deal peaceably with Hitler in the 30s--with similar results.

Perhaps the most offensive aspect of this to me is the presumption that Muslim extremists have any right to control what other nations choose to publish. If they want to live in an oppressive hell of their own making, that's one thing. But to try to tell the rest of the world how to conduct themselves is beyond the pale--especially for those who emigrate to Western societies in order to enjoy the freedoms and opportuniites available to them there.

But enough ranting and rambling--I'd like to cut to the chase with some examples of virulently anti-Semitic cartoons in the Muslim press and video clips of anti-Semitic lies disseminated to the Muslim people.

As the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs' website, which displays some of the more egregious examples of anti-Semitic cartoon stereotyping, explains it:

"The main recurrent motif in Arab cartoons concerning Israel is "the devilish Jew." This image conveys the idea that Jews behave like Nazis, kill children and love blood. The similarity with themes promulgated by the Nazis is evident. Many Arab cartoons praise suicide bombing or call for murder. The collective image of the Jews thus projected lays the groundwork for a possible genocide....

"Palestinian cartoonists often place emphasis on the anti-Semitic accusation of "ritual murder" of children. This is underscored by their claim that Israelis target Palestinian children. To dehumanize Jews, Arab cartoonists often depict them as malevolent creatures: spiders, vampires or octopuses."

The Anti-Defamation League's website offers some charming cartoons from Al-Watan,stating:

"Anti-Semitic stereotypes continue to be prevalent in cartoons published in the Qatari newspaper, Al-Watan. These cartoons demonize Jews, often depicting them as dirty, hook-nosed, money-hungry world dominators."

Just silly cartoons? Well, even more disturbing are the television programs throughout the Arab world which spread the most outrageous lies about Jews and the Holocaust on a regular basis. The excellent, non-partisan Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) website is a veritable treasure trove of eye-opening clips which show that Hitler's practice of "the big lie" is alive and well in these regions. They include (these are just a few of many) such memorable themes as these;

Zionist Paid Denmark Cartoonist to Draw Muhammed Cartoon

Holocauset Denial on Iranian TV: Crematoria and Gas Chambers Were Used for Hygienic Purposes

The Jews Killed Children and Used their Blood for Passover

The Holocaust is a Lie

Gas Chambers were not Used to Kill Jews

Jews Turn into Apes and Pigs in a Clay-Mation Film for Children on Hizbullah TV

I'm sure that most of you have seen the "offensive" Mohammed cartoons that have spurred riots and wreaked havoc around the world. I'd urge everyone to take a peek at the cartoons and a few of the clips mentioned above, and see how that sits with you.

Hey you guys, you, like, have to understand...as a Jew, these cartoons and videos are DEEPLY offensive to me. So cut it out, ok? Or else I'm gonna get REALLY, REALLY mad....