Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Dunedan
And here's ANOTHER thought: lots of people HAVE died, for that exact right. I think y'all over there call them "Tommies." You know, average British, French, American, Australian and New Zealander soldiers. Then there's the spies, the partizans, and all the folks who helped any way they could. -THEY- died for that right in a little spat we over here like to call World War Two.
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This argument is used a lot in a lot of causes, and it is naturally emotive as most people relate it to people they know.
Both of my grandfathers fought in WWII, and survived it. One of them was in the RAF/USAF 30 years as a navigator and then an ATC. One of my grandmothers worked in the anti aircraft gun stations in London in the blitz.
It is not my personal view that any of them fought and risked their lives to defend the right for people to desecrate holy texts.
I would argue that burning a bible is as offensive as burning a Qu'ran - and both acts should be illegal.
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The issue is in part that Islam is sensitive, but also I think me must mention that NATO allied forces are currently stationed and in two Islamic nations where they have invaded and where they currently are the only thing preventing civil war.
The moral offense caused by this church of the dove cretins CANNOT just be measured in the offense and hurt they cause ordinary Muslims. It has to be measured in the context of American and allied nations having troops stationed in countries holding the peace between religious and secular forces.
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I think only I will repeat what I said first of all. Freedom of speech/expression is something that Americans hold dear, dearer than Europeans do - I understand this. Because of the actions of the Chruch of the dove in Florida, American soliders will die, American families will lose their children, their husbands, their fathers (or their wives, their mothers)
I do not claim that the Taleban are innocent children who have no blame in the wars they wage. But these actions will make the Taleban stronger, they will help them kill more Americans and prolong a conflict that will kill many Afghan civilians. They will increase the risk of terrorist attacks against America and its Allies. They will increase the divide between the vast majority of ordinary working class Islamic people who do not take arms against the offence caused by these things, but who feel hurt and distanced from a country that allows them.
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It is simply a fact to say that if these people are allowed to burn Qu'rans, and the media publicizes the fact all over the world... people will die who would not if it didnt happen. These people will have blood on their hands.
America, as a society, must assess the price of freedom of speech.