Islamic activists threaten to sue Dutch newspaper over Muhammad cartoons
Chad Groening - OneNewsNow - 3/17/2008 12:30:00 PM
Robert Spencer, a leading critic of Islam, believes a group of Islamic activists may successfully shut down free speech in Denmark if they follow through on their threat to sue nearly 20 Danish newspapers and magazines for republishing pictures of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
In February Denmark's leading newspapers reprinted one of the 12 original cartoons of Muhammad that were printed in 2005. The papers said the reprint, which occurred after Danish police uncovered a plot to kill the cartoonist, was meant to promote free speech. Now Islamic activists plan to file lawsuits in Jordanian courts because the country's penal code says publicly slandering religious figures is an offense that carries up to three years in prison.
Robert Spencer is director of Jihad Watch, a project of the David Horowitz Freedom Center. He does not believe the Jordanian courts can enforce the lawsuits' penalties, but he thinks they could serve to intimidate some in the West who do not understand what is at stake.
"[T]he effect they want is to chill free speech in the West," Spencer notes. He believes it could happen because "Western officials in general don't understand what is at stake here."
The Muslims have learned that the lawsuit approach can be much more effective than violence, Spencer says. "I do think they want to emphasize that this is not just something that thugs on the street are trying to effect, but something that they believe involves [the entire] Islamic world. And so they are ... trying to present a more favorable, more acceptable demeanor to the West," Spencer adds.
Besides the periodicals, the Islamic group also plans to sue the editor-in-chief of the Danish newspaper that first published the drawings, as well as the paper's cartoonist.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Thoughts on Capital Punishment
Weak and wimpy societies forbid the use of capital punishment. They put forth various reasons, but it seems that they cannot distinguish between lawful execution and murder. They see no difference. So, in their eyes, the government that executes a murderer becomes just another murderer. They do not understand the simple Biblical principle that when a person commits murder they forfeit their right to live. This is a reflection of the immense value of human life that is, perhaps, unique to Christianity.
For those who will protest that this is an Old Testament passage, you have not read Romans 13.
Notice that in Romans we see that government is an avenger sent by God to bring wrath. Whose wrath? God's. Notice also that the government is supposed to cause fear. This is not a weak and permissive government that overlooks crime.
Do criminals fear punishment in America? I believe they do not and one of the reasons is that the government is both slow and weak in punishing crime. There is a disconnect between the crime and the punishment because of an extremely slow and broken legal system. When people who are already convicted sit on death row for years awaiting their execution, hoping for another appeal, isn't there something terribly wrong here?
My solution:
For capital murder cases, the death penalty should be required for anyone who is convicted. They are allowed one appeal, with a time limit for that appeal (just long enough to schedule and prepare the case). If the time limit passes, they forfeit their right to appeal and are executed immediately. If they have their one appeal and it fails to overturn their conviction, they are to be executed within one week of the appeal.
For those who claim that the death penalty does not deter crime, I would say that we really don't know because it has never been done right (swiftly) in modern American society. But even if it did in no way deter crime, it would still be just and necessary. See the Genesis passage above. The focus of the verse is not on deterring crime, but on honoring life created in God's image. It therefore has a greater purpose. It has to do with who God is and what He has created, why He created it and how He desires to be known and understood. Therefore the debate is deeper and more precious to those who call themselves Christians. It is not a political issue, but a theological one. As Christians we have to not only support the death penalty personally, we must fight for it in the public arena and the courts. Other passages of Scripture indicate that God holds an entire society responsible when the blood of innocents is shed with no justice. Therefore America has much to fear from this Holy God.
Whoever sheds man's blood,
By man his blood shall be shed,
For in the image of God
He made man.
—Genesis 9:6
For those who will protest that this is an Old Testament passage, you have not read Romans 13.
1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
9For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
Notice that in Romans we see that government is an avenger sent by God to bring wrath. Whose wrath? God's. Notice also that the government is supposed to cause fear. This is not a weak and permissive government that overlooks crime.
Do criminals fear punishment in America? I believe they do not and one of the reasons is that the government is both slow and weak in punishing crime. There is a disconnect between the crime and the punishment because of an extremely slow and broken legal system. When people who are already convicted sit on death row for years awaiting their execution, hoping for another appeal, isn't there something terribly wrong here?
My solution:
For capital murder cases, the death penalty should be required for anyone who is convicted. They are allowed one appeal, with a time limit for that appeal (just long enough to schedule and prepare the case). If the time limit passes, they forfeit their right to appeal and are executed immediately. If they have their one appeal and it fails to overturn their conviction, they are to be executed within one week of the appeal.
For those who claim that the death penalty does not deter crime, I would say that we really don't know because it has never been done right (swiftly) in modern American society. But even if it did in no way deter crime, it would still be just and necessary. See the Genesis passage above. The focus of the verse is not on deterring crime, but on honoring life created in God's image. It therefore has a greater purpose. It has to do with who God is and what He has created, why He created it and how He desires to be known and understood. Therefore the debate is deeper and more precious to those who call themselves Christians. It is not a political issue, but a theological one. As Christians we have to not only support the death penalty personally, we must fight for it in the public arena and the courts. Other passages of Scripture indicate that God holds an entire society responsible when the blood of innocents is shed with no justice. Therefore America has much to fear from this Holy God.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
You Did Not See This Here
Whatever you do, please do not distribute these images. Do not post them on your blog, do not post them in public places, do not email them to your friends. For heaven's sake, do not distribute these images in any way, shape or fashion. These images are for your eyes only. There will be severe consequences if you share these images with others. If these images begin to appear all over the web, in everyone's email or in public places I cannot be responsible for the scandle that follows. Please show every restraint. I am begging you. DO NOT COPY OR DISTRIBUTE THESE IMAGES! It is not our intention to offend some wrong-headed zealot.
But if you do copy and distribute these images, take comfort that you are only offending someone who is already screwed up.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Clinton Wants To March In Gay Pride Parade
Chad Groening - OneNewsNow - 3/10/2008 4:00:00 AM
Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness, does not think marching in a so-called "gay-pride parade" is a proper venue for the president of the United States.
However, one presidential candidate has made a pledge to do just that – Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York). She says that Clinton made her pledge in the Washington Blade – a Washington newspaper serving the homosexual community. "...Really now! We've seen these gay pride parades in San Francisco and elsewhere," exclaims Donnelly. "Is this really an appropriate role for the President or the Commander in Chief of our armed forces? I don't think so..."
According to Donnelly, there is virtually no difference between Clinton and Senator Barack Obama (D-Illinois) when it comes to advancing the gay and lesbian agenda. Obama recently wrote an open letter to the homosexual community pledging to end the ban on open homosexuals serving in the military, as well as repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.
Donnelly says both Clinton and Obama would force the homosexual agenda on American citizens by force of law.
Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness, does not think marching in a so-called "gay-pride parade" is a proper venue for the president of the United States.
However, one presidential candidate has made a pledge to do just that – Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York). She says that Clinton made her pledge in the Washington Blade – a Washington newspaper serving the homosexual community. "...Really now! We've seen these gay pride parades in San Francisco and elsewhere," exclaims Donnelly. "Is this really an appropriate role for the President or the Commander in Chief of our armed forces? I don't think so..."
According to Donnelly, there is virtually no difference between Clinton and Senator Barack Obama (D-Illinois) when it comes to advancing the gay and lesbian agenda. Obama recently wrote an open letter to the homosexual community pledging to end the ban on open homosexuals serving in the military, as well as repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.
Donnelly says both Clinton and Obama would force the homosexual agenda on American citizens by force of law.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Religion of Freedom Upset Again
JALALABAD, Afghanistan — Thousands of Afghan students chanted slogans and burned Danish and Dutch flags Sunday in the latest in a series of protests over perceived insults against Islam.
The protesters in the eastern city of Jalalabad denounced an upcoming Dutch film that reportedly criticizes Islam's holy book, the Koran. They also condemned Danish newspapers' recent republications of a cartoon that depicted the Prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban.
The several thousand demonstrators shouted slogans against Denmark and the Netherlands. They also chanted "Death to America" and "Long live Al Qaeda."
"We don't want Dutch and Danish forces in Afghanistan. If our government does not kick them out, we will continue our demonstrations until they leave Afghanistan," said one protester, university student Qari Ibrahim. "If these forces do not leave, we are prepared to carry out suicide attacks against them."
Denmark has 780 troops in Afghanistan as part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force. The Netherlands has 1,650.
Similar protests have broken out in at least half a dozen other Afghan cities including the capital, Kabul, where 200 lawmakers shouted "Death to the enemies of Islam" outside the country's parliament Tuesday.
Last month Denmark's leading newspapers reprinted a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad after Danish police said they had uncovered a plot to kill the artist, whose drawing was one of 12 that triggered deadly riots across the Muslim world in 2006.
The reprinting triggered another wave of demonstrations in Islamic countries.
The protesters were also angry over right-wing Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders' upcoming short film, which reportedly portrays the Koran as fascist.
Afghanistan is a Muslim nation where criticizing the Prophet Muhammad or the Koran are crimes that are punishable by death. Islam generally opposes any physical depiction of the prophet, even favorable, for fear it could lead to idolatry.
The protesters in the eastern city of Jalalabad denounced an upcoming Dutch film that reportedly criticizes Islam's holy book, the Koran. They also condemned Danish newspapers' recent republications of a cartoon that depicted the Prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban.
The several thousand demonstrators shouted slogans against Denmark and the Netherlands. They also chanted "Death to America" and "Long live Al Qaeda."
"We don't want Dutch and Danish forces in Afghanistan. If our government does not kick them out, we will continue our demonstrations until they leave Afghanistan," said one protester, university student Qari Ibrahim. "If these forces do not leave, we are prepared to carry out suicide attacks against them."
Denmark has 780 troops in Afghanistan as part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force. The Netherlands has 1,650.
Similar protests have broken out in at least half a dozen other Afghan cities including the capital, Kabul, where 200 lawmakers shouted "Death to the enemies of Islam" outside the country's parliament Tuesday.
Last month Denmark's leading newspapers reprinted a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad after Danish police said they had uncovered a plot to kill the artist, whose drawing was one of 12 that triggered deadly riots across the Muslim world in 2006.
The reprinting triggered another wave of demonstrations in Islamic countries.
The protesters were also angry over right-wing Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders' upcoming short film, which reportedly portrays the Koran as fascist.
Afghanistan is a Muslim nation where criticizing the Prophet Muhammad or the Koran are crimes that are punishable by death. Islam generally opposes any physical depiction of the prophet, even favorable, for fear it could lead to idolatry.
Friday, March 7, 2008
List of Thwarted Terrorist Attacks since September 11, 2001
The following is a list of known terror plots thwarted by the U.S. government since Sept. 11, 2001.
• December 2001, Richard Reid: British citizen attempted to ignite shoe bomb on flight from Paris to Miami.
• May 2002, Jose Padilla: American citizen accused of seeking "dirty bomb," convicted of conspiracy.
• September 2002, Lackawanna Six: American citizens of Yemeni origin convicted of supporting Al Qaeda. Five of six were from Lackawanna, N.Y.
• May 2003, Iyman Faris: American citizen charged with trying to topple the Brooklyn Bridge.
• June 2003, Virginia Jihad Network: Eleven men from Alexandria, Va., trained for jihad against American soldiers, convicted of violating the Neutrality Act, conspiracy.
• August 2004, Dhiren Barot: Indian-born leader of terror cell plotted bombings on financial centers (see additional images).
• August 2004, James Elshafay and Shahawar Matin Siraj: Sought to plant bomb at New York's Penn Station during the Republican National Convention.
• August 2004, Yassin Aref and Mohammed Hossain: Plotted to assassinate a Pakistani diplomat on American soil.
• June 2005, Father and son Umer Hayat and Hamid Hayat: Son convicted of attending terrorist training camp in Pakistan; father convicted of customs violation.
• August 2005, Kevin James, Levar Haley Washington, Gregory Vernon Patterson and Hammad Riaz Samana: Los Angeles homegrown terrorists who plotted to attack National Guard, LAX, two synagogues and Israeli consulate.
• December 2005, Michael Reynolds: Plotted to blow up refinery in Wyoming, convicted of providing material support to terrorists.
• February 2006, Mohammad Zaki Amawi, Marwan Othman El-Hindi and Zand Wassim Mazloum: Accused of providing material support to terrorists, making bombs for use in Iraq.
• April 2006, Syed Haris Ahmed and Ehsanul Islam Sadequee: Cased and videotaped the Capitol and World Bank for a terrorist organization.
• June 2006, Narseal Batiste, Patrick Abraham, Stanley Grant Phanor, Naudimar Herrera, Burson Augustin, Lyglenson Lemorin, and Rotschild Augstine: Accused of plotting to blow up the Sears Tower.
• July 2006, Assem Hammoud: Accused of plotting to hit New York City train tunnels.
• August 2006, Liquid Explosives Plot: Thwarted plot to explode ten airliners over the United States.
• May 2007, Fort Dix Plot: Six men accused of plotting to attack Fort Dix Army base in New Jersey.
• June 2007, JFK Plot: Four men accused of plotting to blow up fuel arteries underneath JFK Airport in New York.
• March 2007, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed: Mastermind of Sept. 11 and author of numerous plots confessed in court in March 2007 to planning to destroy skyscrapers in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
• December 2001, Richard Reid: British citizen attempted to ignite shoe bomb on flight from Paris to Miami.
• May 2002, Jose Padilla: American citizen accused of seeking "dirty bomb," convicted of conspiracy.
• September 2002, Lackawanna Six: American citizens of Yemeni origin convicted of supporting Al Qaeda. Five of six were from Lackawanna, N.Y.
• May 2003, Iyman Faris: American citizen charged with trying to topple the Brooklyn Bridge.
• June 2003, Virginia Jihad Network: Eleven men from Alexandria, Va., trained for jihad against American soldiers, convicted of violating the Neutrality Act, conspiracy.
• August 2004, Dhiren Barot: Indian-born leader of terror cell plotted bombings on financial centers (see additional images).
• August 2004, James Elshafay and Shahawar Matin Siraj: Sought to plant bomb at New York's Penn Station during the Republican National Convention.
• August 2004, Yassin Aref and Mohammed Hossain: Plotted to assassinate a Pakistani diplomat on American soil.
• June 2005, Father and son Umer Hayat and Hamid Hayat: Son convicted of attending terrorist training camp in Pakistan; father convicted of customs violation.
• August 2005, Kevin James, Levar Haley Washington, Gregory Vernon Patterson and Hammad Riaz Samana: Los Angeles homegrown terrorists who plotted to attack National Guard, LAX, two synagogues and Israeli consulate.
• December 2005, Michael Reynolds: Plotted to blow up refinery in Wyoming, convicted of providing material support to terrorists.
• February 2006, Mohammad Zaki Amawi, Marwan Othman El-Hindi and Zand Wassim Mazloum: Accused of providing material support to terrorists, making bombs for use in Iraq.
• April 2006, Syed Haris Ahmed and Ehsanul Islam Sadequee: Cased and videotaped the Capitol and World Bank for a terrorist organization.
• June 2006, Narseal Batiste, Patrick Abraham, Stanley Grant Phanor, Naudimar Herrera, Burson Augustin, Lyglenson Lemorin, and Rotschild Augstine: Accused of plotting to blow up the Sears Tower.
• July 2006, Assem Hammoud: Accused of plotting to hit New York City train tunnels.
• August 2006, Liquid Explosives Plot: Thwarted plot to explode ten airliners over the United States.
• May 2007, Fort Dix Plot: Six men accused of plotting to attack Fort Dix Army base in New Jersey.
• June 2007, JFK Plot: Four men accused of plotting to blow up fuel arteries underneath JFK Airport in New York.
• March 2007, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed: Mastermind of Sept. 11 and author of numerous plots confessed in court in March 2007 to planning to destroy skyscrapers in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
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