The cartoon controversy gets dumber

Regarding any statements by our government about the Danish cartoon controversy, I would expect the emphasis to be on free speech. I would expect something to the effect that while we respect religious views, freedom of speech and of the press is of utmost importance. Sadly, I would be wrong.

A US State Department spokesman Justin Higgins blasted the Danish cartoons that have offended many Muslims. Here's the statement: "We all fully recognize and respect freedom of the press and expression but it must be coupled with press responsibility. Inciting religious or ethnic hatreds in this manner is not acceptable. We call for tolerance and respect for all communities and for their religious beliefs and practices."

What a pathetically weak statement. His priorities are backwards and that's sad to hear from the US government. We are supposedly a bastion of free speech and press. It should have been something more like... "While we respect people's religious beliefs and practices, freedom of the press and expression must take precedence."

In case you haven't seen the cartoons, here's an article linked on Fark today that includes all of them. Interestingly, it also points out that CNN and other US networks have said they are not airing the cartoons out of respect for Islam, but in the past they've had no problem showing material that's offensive to Christians. Nice. Respect for religion, my ass. These networks are politically correct and scared.