Post like this are so stupid. Yes, I think it's bad that religious fundamentalists overseas are having conniptions about a set of cartoons. I think it bad when religious fanatics anywhere get all fanatical about perceived provocations in the media. I think it bad when Christians cancel TV shows and declare a counteroffensive against the made-up war on Christmas. I think fanatics are bad. And while various folks will unleash spittle-flecked tirades for the perceived equivalence I'm drawing, so be it. I tend to think fanatics are fanatics and my readers are smart enough to draw their own conclusions when nutcases attack. That I haven't dedicated 60 outraged posts to it isn't confirmation that I think it unimportant, but that I think my opinion on it derivative.
Meanwhile, I ran a quick search on Tigerhawk's blog. Two years of archives and not one mention of the word "uninsured." Now, using his methods, that means he doesn't care about the 46 million Americans lacking access to basic medical care. That, or he just doesn't focus on health issues.
I am not The New York Times. I have no obligation to "all the news that's fit to print." My guiding light is "something interesting to say." That religious fanatics freaking out over cartoons is undesirable didn't make the grade. Indeed, my only worthwhile comment on the situation is that I wish all the righties grasping for their oxygen masks over this outrage were a tenth as annoyed when domestic religious movements trip out in reaction to perceived insults. As it is, the same kids currently condemning the rioting extremists overseas tend to side with the screaming theocrats around the corner.
So there's my position: consistency. And yes, I think the Muslim rioters are worse than the Christian press hounds, but I think attempts force culture to conform to dogma should be opposed universally.
