A few more thoughts on the controversial anti-Muslim film and its impact:
- One news report pointed out that in many counties around the world - and Arab countries in particular - the government plays a very large part in the citizens' lives. So it would be impossible to make a movie - even an amateur movie like this one - without government endorsement. That doesn't forgive the extreme reaction, of course, but it does help to explain why the anger has been aimed at the United States in general and not the film makers in particular.
- As with the Danish cartoon controversy, there are now calls from even mainstream Muslim politicians around the world for global laws against blasphemy. This will probably be greeted with bland refusal by western leaders. But what I'd love to see would be for them to say: "Fine, we'll prevent our citizens from insulting other religions, but if you're going to impose your ideals on us, we get to impose some of our ideals on you. So take your pick of: respect for religious minorities, free political dissent, equal rights for women, or no persecution of homosexuals." Then grab the popcorn and watch them squirm.
- After watching one newscast this week, it hit me: Muslims want to stop you from seeing a really bad, very hateful movie, while the British want to stop you from seeing pictures of a woman's breasts. When you put it that way, I'm not sure who's side I'm on any more.
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