Yes they are, plain and simple. They were engaging in a lawful activity and well within their rights. But they are a hate group. Their beef is with Islam...not Islamic extremists, but all Islam. To me at least, that's a hate group. Anyone who is unable to discern the actions of 20-40 thousand hardcore extremists against a billion Muslims who are not out killing people, they're closed minded a-holes. Again, I'll fight for their right to free speech. I don't like what they were doing, but I'll fight for their right to do it.
Given the track record in France, one could even call what they did incitement. Again, not justifying what the extremists did (and they got their just reward).
I have no sympathy for terrorists, but I also don't any sympathy for the SOB's who put on that little shindig. I feel sympathy for those who were victims of the terrorists and the cop who put them down.
The problem is "all Islam" regards drawing images of their prophet to be blasphemous, no matter the context. But only a portion of those who practice Islam, the Jihadis whom we're fighting, will kill you for it ....unless (I suppose) you do it in Saudia Arabia.
There are some depictions of Jesus Christ, such as the image of him in a jar of urine, that offend me, the image of Mary made out of cow dung, and other disdainful representations in that kind. That provokes me to irratibility ... or to sadness, depending on my general mood at the time, but I have never believed I have the right to kill the artist who created such images.
But there are also images of Christ I think are acceptable, some are nice, some are beautiful, some are even inspired.
Bill O'Reilly gave a "talking point" on this subject Tuesday May 5th and pointed out while he defends the right of this woman to hold this Mohamud cartoon contest he thought it was wrong to do because it provokes Islam at a time when some of the Islamic countries are starting to actually fight Isis. Well, he did have a good point
Would I do it? Well, honestly, I am a very poor cartoonist and am barely able to create stick figures. But no, I wouldn't; but I also do not agree that any image of Mohamud is sacrilige -- any more than any image of Jesus is.
I do disagree that this was a "hate group." Using bad tactics or strategies does not make for a hate group IMHO. I save the term "hate group" for groups like the K K K, skinheads, Neo-Nazis, Black Panthers, and other similar groups with whom I not only disagree, but whom I would fear to disagree with while being in their company :shock: .
I also have this instinctive desire to dislike the idea of kow-towing to people or to groups because something that I (or "we") have every right to do BUT which for some reason offends their sensibilities. It seems a way that, should it becomes habit, will prove a good way for one group to gain control over another.
All that however must be balanced by consideration of how wise it is to use poorly considered tactics against a small subset of a group when you are trying to persuade the larger set to stand up and denounce the smaller bad group and fight against them, and also, that just going around causing other people offense is insenstive, stupid, and...well, yes, I'll say it; unChristian.
