tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post113908838264713501..comments2023-09-22T09:03:09.417-04:00Comments on Townie Bastard: Flags R Ustowniebastardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03129158923604362272noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-1140979961006463962006-02-26T13:52:00.000-05:002006-02-26T13:52:00.000-05:00How funny. Just checking Damien Penny's site and I...How funny. Just checking Damien Penny's site and I came across this in his archives. <BR/><A HREF="http://www.damianpenny.com/archived/005777.html" REL="nofollow"> Danish pastries </A>John Mutfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08730205221787092204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-1139216243326275142006-02-06T03:57:00.000-05:002006-02-06T03:57:00.000-05:00yeah,. yeah, i've been trying to figure out how to...yeah,. yeah, i've been trying to figure out how to download pictures from my pda to go with what i wanted to say. hard week - finished a book! more about that later in another place. btw, i'm told that lots of the 'flags' are spraypainted onto white sheets. which presumably makes them nicely flammable too.Sara Dormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11062772751850705696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-1139199508154975412006-02-05T23:18:00.000-05:002006-02-05T23:18:00.000-05:00None taken...no one is more aware of my short comi...None taken...no one is more aware of my short comings as a writer/journalist/columnist than I am.<BR/><BR/>Btw, you've got to put up more than a blog entry a week or people will lose interest. Publish or perish, my dear...:)towniebastardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03129158923604362272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-1139173360907089352006-02-05T16:02:00.000-05:002006-02-05T16:02:00.000-05:00glad you liked it. gary younge is consistently go...glad you liked it. gary younge is consistently good. about the only journalist/columnist i can say that for :) (sorry craig:)Sara Dormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11062772751850705696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-1139160702081401592006-02-05T12:31:00.000-05:002006-02-05T12:31:00.000-05:00Wow, Dead Dog you were dead on with that quote tha...Wow, Dead Dog you were dead on with that quote that exactly what it seems like is happening at least to my perspective.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-1139158495844066682006-02-05T11:54:00.000-05:002006-02-05T11:54:00.000-05:00I should clarify that I have no problem with march...I should clarify that I have no problem with marching and being upset. I have no problem (although I do mock it a bit with flag burning. I have no problem with protesting the cartoon or boycotting products or, as John amusingly suggested, rename Danish pastries.<BR/><BR/>I do have a problem with storming embassies and burning them to the ground. I do have a problem with threatening death and terrorist action against innocent people over a cartoon, no matter how stupid and offensive.<BR/><BR/>I appreciate that most Muslims are unfailing polite, kind people. The ones I have met always have been. About a year or so ago the Mosque in St. John's had a media night and invited reporters to come, tour the mosque and learn more about Islam. It was fascinating and the people were exceptionally kind and patient.<BR/><BR/>Unfailingly, as it is in any religion, it's the crazies that get the attention. I suspect we're seeing a bit of that with this incident, that it is the fundimentalist burning places and threatening violence. It's not indicitive of how most Muslims are.<BR/><BR/>I just wish, just like I wish we could do the same, that they could do something to temper and control the more radical elements of their religion, who seem to do nothing but stir up hate and anger.towniebastardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03129158923604362272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-1139153416619836172006-02-05T10:30:00.000-05:002006-02-05T10:30:00.000-05:00Most practioners of Islam and Muslims I've encount...Most practioners of Islam and Muslims I've encountered are among the most polite, well mannered people in the world.<BR/>-------<BR/>I don't have anything to add on the cartoon debate except to agree with Jason on this. I was only visiting the UAE. We were there on business as well as holiday so, unlike most tourists, we did get to meet Emirati citizens. One gentleman took us out for dinner and to a shisha bar afterwards. It is a basic tenet of the culture that guests are respected and shown the best of hospitality, so long as they return that respect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-1139151548185401242006-02-05T09:59:00.000-05:002006-02-05T09:59:00.000-05:00Gary Younge's clumn/debate in the Saturday Guardia...Gary Younge's clumn/debate in the Saturday Guardian is really worth reading on this. http://www.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,,1701986,00.html the quote from Steve Biko at the end resonates with the previous comment.Sara Dormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11062772751850705696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-1139138319528962982006-02-05T06:18:00.000-05:002006-02-05T06:18:00.000-05:00I realize the "or anything" in my previous comment...I realize the "or anything" in my previous comment is a little too vague. So here's my list of unacceptable and acceptable protests:<BR/><BR/>Unacceptable:<BR/><BR/>1. Fatwahs- death warrants or death threats<BR/>2. Burning Danish embassies<BR/>3. Physically attacking any Danish person<BR/><BR/><BR/>Acceptable:<BR/><BR/>1. Burning Danish flags<BR/>2. Saying that you're really pissed off<BR/>3. Cancelling all stage productions of Hamlet<BR/>4. Renaming danishes, Qu'ran Pastries*<BR/>5. Burning effagies of Marmaduke<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>*meant as satireJohn Mutfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08730205221787092204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-1139135187633821432006-02-05T05:26:00.000-05:002006-02-05T05:26:00.000-05:00Not that I'd condone a fatwah (?) or anything- tha...Not that I'd condone a fatwah (?) or anything- that'd be out of proportion, but the Muslims were being antagonized and the original Danish newspaper saying that it wasn't meant to be offensive is a joke. But burning a flag and expressing anger, sure why the hell not? They're entitled to free speech too.John Mutfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08730205221787092204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-1139125176406630142006-02-05T02:39:00.000-05:002006-02-05T02:39:00.000-05:00and I in the future I will edit my work more caref...and I in the future I will edit my work more carefully. I was typing fast. Craig, there are others reading this blog from Qatar? Who?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-1139123820552527032006-02-05T02:17:00.000-05:002006-02-05T02:17:00.000-05:00Hmm, I better start my response by saying I work i...Hmm, I better start my response by saying I work in a Muslim country, so my perspective is a little different.<BR/><BR/>I think people really need to realize that while the reaction is no doubt extreme, the west really doesn't go out of its way to understand Islam and the importance religion plays in their lives. Hence our cultural sensitivity level is about a -4/10.<BR/><BR/> Most practioners of Islam and Muslims I've encountered are among the most polite, well mannered people in the world. In the country I'm in they have had marches, and have boycotted products from the countries in mention.<BR/><BR/> Lebanon, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, little different from where I am. However when it comes to freedom of speech, they get their example as it is shown to them by the US of hypocrscy. Here's democracy, open wide don't make me kill you, then ram it down you throat. I'm sure many of these people would say "Why do we have to have democracy pie and freedom, leave us alone" Again, to a degree I have to sympathize.<BR/><BR/> I'm not saying violence is justified I just repeat my point, what do we as the west really understand or try to. We try to cram into how we would approach it but really I don't think we have an equivalent and two should our beliefs be the standard for how things are in other places.<BR/> <BR/>Okay second part. Craig, you'll remember this, when our old friends ran a cartoon that was highly offensive to the Innu and lots of stuff ensued. To me the similarities are striking.<BR/><BR/>At the time, I recall rallying behind my friends and their foolish action, quietly thinking "hmm maybe that wasn't the best thing to do" Now after having spent a few years in the North, I'd proably take one of those friends out and slap him around a little. Proably the Irish one. My point? Why the change? Cartoons in journalism and journalism in general is suppose to serve a higher purpose, even create debate. How could anyone think those cartoons would serve a purpose other then to offend? <BR/><BR/>The cartoons in question were just insulting and vile. (Incidently, Craig, five minutes on the internet someone could find them)Really, did the idea of provoking debate occur,or just wow I really want to abuse a freedom.<BR/><BR/>The whole issue of media solidarity is just insane as well. I mean the western media is often so eager to tell the rest of the world it rocks. A "hey look at us and our freedoms, we are so much better, become us." How could anyone think this would convince people that there is something great about your way of life worth adopting?<BR/><BR/>Crap what a long comment, sorry Craig next time I should just request a guest spot. Incidently you can get all kinds of things at a souk, my best purchase has been my x-box that can play burnt downloaded games. Flags piece of cake, although there is no way I'd ask for a Danish flag right now. CheersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com