muhammad cartoons - the fallout continues

The cartoon controversy is the biggest story in the Internet media since 9/11. Here's a bit of a wrap up of the latest goings on - everything in one post.

It's the Muslims that are making the news. A cartoon is published of Mohammed wearing a turban shaped as a bomb, with the implication that Muslims are violent, that they are terrorists. And how do they react?

Well, like terrorists, of course. Two embassies have been burned, several people have died in protests, while back here Helen Clark didnt want those cartoons published becuase she was concerned about trade implications. However she's not concerned about Popetown or South Park's episode called Bloody Mary. Someone tell South Clark that South Park is a cartoon too.

What's ironic is that in London, Muslim protesters want blood in the streets. Ironic given that no UK newspaper has published the cartoons.

Also ironic is that the Jyllands-Posten, the Danish newspaper that first published the cartoons of the prophet Muhammad, refused to run cartoons of Jesus Christ in 2003 His reason:

I don't think Jyllands-Posten's readers will enjoy the drawings. As a matter of fact, I think that they will provoke an outcry. Therefore, I will not use them

(hat-tip Public Address

Anyway, first place to go ( after youve read the background) to get top info on the pictures, protest pix and issues surounding the cartoons is Michelle Malkins blog where she lists and trackbacks more than 200 bloggers who have posted the pictures on their blog.

Some media outlets have said why they won't show the cartoons. Here's why CNN refuses to publish the pictures

Muslims consider it sacrilegious to produce a likeness of the Prophet Mohammad. CNN has chosen to not show the cartoons in respect for Islam.

This is despite 68 percent of more than 121 000 CNN clickers deciding that freedom of expression is more important than religious belief..

CNN new editors are scared of publishing the pix. However they were not afraid to promote the US equivalent of Virgin in a Condom - the virgin Mary covered in elephant dung. Where's the respect for other religions?

And on that note, some hypocrisy: Boston Globe, 1999: “Christians need to stop whining about taxpayer dollars paying to cover the Virgin Mary with elephant crap–it’s free speech.” 2006: We need to be sensitive to Muslimsoffended by political cartoons.

Yes, of course, we do.

Meanwhile the biggest newspaper in Iran is holding a holocaust contest, to find the 12 "best" cartoons about the Holocaust. In other words, this is actually intended to offend, whereas the Mohammed cartoons weren't. What's South Clark and Phill Goff saying about that? Nothing of course, we can't offend Iran, can we, given that Iran has already halted trade with Denmark. NZ doesnt want to be next.

Check out this photoshop at Right Wing News - and as Kathy says, if anti-cartoon riots spring up, how many people will show up to counterprotest?

And, to finish on a light hearted note, visit The infidel bloggers alliance Mohammad cartoon contest where you can "just draw good ole Mo in everyday situations, like standing in line at Wal-Mart, or whatever comes to your mind."

And if you still want more, read this Anglican site. It will keep you going for the rest of the day.