The American Spectator : Who Is the Next Molly Norris?

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Who Is the Next Molly Norris?

By Aaron Goldstein on 9.22.10 @ 6:07AM

Freedom of expression took another step closer to a slow death last week.

Freedom of expression in America took another step closer to a slow death last week when the Seattle Weekly announced it would no longer be publishing the work of cartoonist Molly Norris because she had gone into hiding and had changed her name at the behest of the FBI due to death threats issued against her by Anwar al-Awlaki, the American born Muslim cleric now based in Yemen.

Awlaki, of course, is the same Muslim cleric who has been linked to the Fort Hood Massacre and the failed attempts to blow up Northwest Flight 253 on Christmas Day as well as Times Square in May.

Last July, Awlaki identified Norris as a "prime target" for execution in Insight, an English language magazine that has been described as "al Qaeda's Tiger Beat." Only you won't find any articles on Justin Bieber or the Jonas Brothers in this magazine. While some American girls might think Bieber and the Jonas are the bomb, in Insight apprenticing jihadists can learn "How to Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your Mom." Initially, there were some doubts about the authenticity of this magazine. But the threats against Norris turned out to be genuine.

To refresh your memory, Norris came up with a novel idea after a Muslim group in Brooklyn threatened South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone last April over their depiction of Mohammed in two episodes. She reasoned that if everyone were to draw Mohammed, then how could Islamic fundamentalist terrorists kill everyone? Norris then proclaimed May 20 "Everyone Draw Mohammed Day." She also received support from a separate campaign on Facebook. Of course, Norris drew her own picture of Mohammed. Needless to say, her initiative took on a life of its own and spun out of control. Unfortunately, for Norris it was a situation for which she was utterly unprepared and her life would never be the same.

David Gomez, the FBI's assistant special agent in charge of counterterrorism in Seattle, stated the federal agency was doing "everything in our power to assist the individuals on that list to effectively protect themselves and change their behavior to make themselves less of a target."

Yet it is difficult to imagine what else Norris could have done to make herself less of a target. No sooner did the "Everyone Draw Mohammed Day" initiative go viral than Norris distanced herself from the creativity she sparked. She then publicly apologized and asked "that this 'day' be called off."

Well, fat lot of good that did her. Apparently, Alwaki has no concept of forgiveness. Once a transgression has been committed against Mohammed it can only be remedied by the death of the transgressor. Indeed, Alwaki writes, "The medicine prescribed by the Messenger of Allah is the execution of those involved." All things considered, Norris would probably have been better off to stand her ground.

Now one can the make the case that it is easy to say she should have stood her ground when one's life has not been threatened by the man who is arguably the most dangerous Muslim cleric in the world and being told by the FBI it is in your best interest to suddenly change your identity. But to what kind of life can Molly Norris now look forward? She can no longer call herself by her real name. She has very likely been forever cut off from family and friends. And while she might be able to draw in the privacy of her own home, she can surely never submit her drawings for publication for fear that her works will be recognized. In short, the artist formerly known as Molly Norris is being deprived of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

With this in mind, I cannot help but wonder that if Norris had been more assertive in her own defense then others would have been more eager to stand beside her. Perhaps Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert would have offered comedic reassurance. But then again why would they risk the enmity of Anwar al-Alwaki when they can make fun of the Tea Party and Christianity with the knowledge that no one will call for the streets to be filled with their blood. Besides, Stewart wasn't exactly a profile in courage during the South Park controversy.

I also wonder if Norris had wrapped herself in the First Amendment whether the White House would have supported her. After all, President Obama cited the First Amendment in support of the construction of the Ground Zero Mosque. Yet you would be wise not to hold your breath for the President's support. Let us recall that in October 2009 the Obama Administration co-sponsored a resolution with Egypt before the UN Human Rights Council that would make criticism of Islam a violation of international law.

So given the current political climate regarding Islam in America who among us could be the next Molly Norris?

Could someone in America be forced to change their name for writing about the treatment of women under Sharia law in Saudi Arabia?

Could someone in America be forced into hiding for making a film about Muslim children being indoctrinated with hatred towards Israel?

Could someone in America be forbidden from exercising their First Amendment rights because they used those rights to speak on behalf of religious minorities persecuted in Muslim countries such as the Baha'i in Iran?

Some might believe what happened to Molly Norris is an isolated incident. But the next Molly Norris is only a fatwa away.

About the Author

Aaron Goldstein writes from Boston, Massachusetts.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (99) | Leave a comment

Scribonius Curio| 9.22.10 @ 7:42AM

It's time to dress your woman in a bag and begin memorizing the Koran.

Impeach Don't Wait| 9.22.10 @ 7:53PM

"in October 2009 the Obama Administration co-sponsored a resolution with Egypt before the UN Human Rights Council that would make criticism of Islam a violation of international law."

Ohhhhhhhh... I didn't know tha-a-a-a-a-at.... Shameful. This president's anti-Americanism knows no bounds...

TR| 9.22.10 @ 10:27PM

Then come and get me ObaMao brownshirts.

Islam is evil. Islam is inherently violent. Muslims have a 4th century mentality. Mohammed was a pedophile. The koran is an instruction manual for violence. allah is a pagan moon god, not the Lord God Almighty. I piss on your book and draw cartoon figures of your pervert prophet then piss on them too. There, I said it. Now get off my show you moron muslims.

TR| 9.22.10 @ 10:57PM

Oh, and by the way UN Human Rights council....I am well armed (which I know just pisses you guys off) and I know how to operate them all. Accurately.

Mike| 9.23.10 @ 12:00PM

I'm sorry I missed the draw Mohammed day!!!! I tried to provide the matches for " burn the Koran day" ..but as always Americans loose their nerve to stand up against this evil scourge Islam...a false religion that was created by a goat-loving, camel piss drinking heathen lunatic (hence the crescent moon emblem)

Mike| 9.23.10 @ 12:06PM

How long will Americans suffer the abuses heaped upon them by this non-American, Christian hating dirt bag.....!? When will Americans acknowledge that this evil puke is DELIBERATELY destroying American prominence and sovereignty...!? Rise up to these arrogant Socialist scum who pervert law and justice.... forcibly remove them from power......

TennesseeVolunteer| 9.22.10 @ 7:43AM

The sun comes out on Nov. 2, 2010.

Ken (Old Texican)| 9.22.10 @ 8:09AM

Hey Republicans,
While you are at it, defund the UN.

Fellow conversationalists, we must be smart but steadfast in our opposition to Sharia Law in America.

crooked wren| 9.22.10 @ 8:50AM

Ditto on the defunding of the UN. Think how much money THAT would save us!

A friend of mine and I have suggested we take pictures of just our eyes, so we'll be able to recognize each other in the future.

WHERE ARE THE ANTI-SHARIAH FEMINISTS? THE ANTI-SHARIAH GLBTs?

Just wondering.

Griff| 9.22.10 @ 8:11AM

Another good reason for Concealed Carry permits.

Booger| 9.22.10 @ 9:46AM

Another BETTER reason for legal open carry. You can carry a much larger weapon openly than you can concealed. Just a thought, for whatever it's worth.

Gill O’Teen ✝✡$| 9.22.10 @ 12:41PM

I plan to carry a pork chop or a slice of bacon.
Gill O’Teen ✝✡$
Don’t Tread on Me.
gill.Oteen07041776@gmail.com
“Porkchops and bacon, my two favorite animals.”” - Homer Simpson
Only 851 days to go

Douglas| 9.22.10 @ 2:35PM

LOL enjoyed that one.

Bill| 9.22.10 @ 3:27PM

I suggest a meat dress.

George S| 9.22.10 @ 2:26PM

A good observation and one that exposes liberal logic. If you apply for a carry permit in New York City, Washington DC or Chicago, for example, you must prove that you attract undue attention and the ensuing threat. They routinely rubber stamp permits for celebrities because of the threat from unbalanced stalkers. Yet these stalkers are not 100 percent committed to kill, unlike the radical Islam dude. But if you tell the police in those cities that you are in the occupation of poking fun of that religion, they will dismiss your reasoning as non-persuasive -- but then they'll tell you, for your own safety, you'd better go ghost.

Make an interesting appellate case for those denied permits, won't it?

Petronius| 9.22.10 @ 8:27AM

Let's take a look at their agenda. #1. Kill all non believers. #2. See #1.
The U.S. Government is on their side.
We are on Our Own.

Russell| 9.22.10 @ 8:32AM

...first they came for the cartoonists, and I did not speak out...

Louis Jenkins| 9.22.10 @ 8:45AM

Stewart can poke fun at the Christians and Jews all day long and not a word is said. It's amazing that Islam is bullet proof from pranks, but then again Islam is not to be taken lightly. That's the problem. These people are not playing games, and we should be of the same thought. Do not play games with them, get serious, and battle them tooth and nail. Do not follow the directions of Obama. Only by standing up, not going under cover, can we make headway.

MACON| 9.22.10 @ 8:58AM

WHAT IS NEEDED IS COURAGE LIKE ORIANA FALLACI DISPLAYED IN HER EXPOSE OF EUROPEAN WEAKNESS IN THE FACE OF ISLAM.

Eric Cartman| 9.22.10 @ 9:37AM

I decided I would draw Mohammad this AM in support of Molly (since those chick shit scum bags at the Daily show won't). So I decided that I would look out my window and whatever was out there would be my vision of Mohammad - butterfly, majestic bird, towering bull elk. Whatever. So I walk over to the window, grab the curtain and pull them open in one quick swipe and there he was! There, on my lawn! Mohammad! The Prophet! What a sight to behold! My neighbor's hairless chihuahua taking a dump.

So whenever I hear the Prophets Mohammad's name, I will always see Harry (that's his name) the hairless chihuahua taking a dump on my lawn.

Congrats, my Muslim friends!

Booger| 9.22.10 @ 9:48AM

My picture of Crazy Mo is what Harry left behind.

Eric Cartman| 9.22.10 @ 10:11AM

It's all part of the rich tapestry and mystery, my friend. The glory of the prophet is not just the vision itself. Open the window! Open and breath in what is Mohammad! Let the fragrance of Harry sting your nostrils with the smell of the Messenger!

Behold! There, across the street! An organic fertilizer company has arrived in a giant truck to enhance the message of Harry! Praise be to Allah! They are truly the spreader of the Koran's message! Breath deep! It is what the world will smell like when Islam takes over!

hannibal| 9.22.10 @ 5:07PM

For 9-11 day I drew a cartoon of mohammed pissing on the koran. Then I burned the cartoon. Triple whammy!

Nunya| 9.22.10 @ 5:25PM

In the words of your namesake.... "Awesome!"

Thanks for the laugh. :-)

dcd| 9.22.10 @ 9:47AM

How many cartoons and satires of mohammad has the American Spectator published?

Eric Cartman| 9.22.10 @ 10:31AM

Is that their job? I thought comedians, satirists and cartoonists did things like that day in and day out. Isn't it their job? I mean, they do it all the time to Christians and Jews. Is there something special about Muslims that the entire comedy industry is afraid of? Please, do tell.

Ramon 51| 9.22.10 @ 11:07AM

Well...there is something special about Muslims. They have a 1400 year old tradition of killing anyone who in their mind defames Muhammad. Isn't that special?

Eric Cartman| 9.22.10 @ 11:55AM

Yes it is, Ramon. It is very special. So special, in fact, we have a whole segment of this society that has decided to walk around with their tails between their legs submitting to anything wearing a taqiyah. They call themselves Liberals. The rest of the world calls them cowards.

dcd| 9.22.10 @ 6:32PM

I'm all for comedy central mocking islam. I think it is excellent strategy to taunt and defame the religion inceite riots until the entire culture melts down and self destructs. The point is that AS has means, motive and oppotunity so it can start taking shots. Maybe comedy central will follow, maybe it will inspire Leno.
People on here are talking about doing something, well its time to pu up. Buy a Koran and toast it on youtube. Ask an Iman why he is devoted to a child molester.

Impeach Don't Wait| 9.22.10 @ 8:20PM

Hey, that's what's so frightening... I don't blame anybody for not wanting to spearhead a mock-Islam campaign. Everyone's afraid to. That shows how serious this is. That'll either endanger individuals or if enough people join in, it will endanger the whole society. I can't help thinking: The only way to avoid conflict with these people is to not invite/allow friction with them... more specifically: Keep them at arm's length, outside our borders. Then we won't have to speak ill of them as long as they stay away. That's why accommodating "moderate" Muslims is so dangerous. It invites conflict, especially when they want to impose their will on our society which leads to "words"... and there you go: conflict and death threats. I'm of the growing opinion that Islamics should not have been allowed into these borders by reason of the "danger" they pose to our ultimate safety. (I'm speaking honestly and I'm a minority, so don't call me a racist.) Danger is danger, and this is getting scary.

TR| 9.22.10 @ 10:30PM

I understand your comments Impeach, but the premise won;t work because they do not respect borders, and will do anything to kill anyone that does not toe their radical hateful line. Keeping them at arms distance will only get your arm blown off. You are not a racist, muslim is not a race. It is a dangerous violent hate filled ideology.

Bobby| 9.23.10 @ 12:37PM

You speak the truth.
Being a Jew,I should be the last person to agree to the total alienation of a race or religion of people,but Jew's have never, ever have evilness in their hearts.Islam is as vile religion,and I'll never understand all the liberal Jews who stand up for Islam.Most muslims would slit our throats,as quickly as they yell Allah Akbar

Eric Praline| 9.22.10 @ 8:53PM

There are videos of burning korans on youtube from time to time, but they always get pulled within a day for violating "hate speech" codes.

Patzer| 9.22.10 @ 9:57AM

When is "Wipe Your Ass with a Koran Day?"

Eric Cartman| 9.22.10 @ 10:13AM

After my coffee and a brand muffin.

TR| 9.22.10 @ 12:05PM

I don't want the rash that filthy rag would leave behind (no pun intended).

It is easier to just use it for kindling.

Eric Cartman| 9.22.10 @ 12:28PM

Good point!

Douglas| 9.22.10 @ 2:39PM

I will go along with that. Be careful starting your facebook page of this though. The FBI might tell you that you made a bunch of dark age lunatics mad. They might even charge you for your own protection.

Old Joe| 9.22.10 @ 10:10AM

Once upon a time was a feared and respected nation. We helped the good and harmed the bad. Today, under this president we have become impotent. In the old days we would have demanded that the dinky little country of Yemen cough up this cleric who is demonstrating his ability to take away our first amendment rights by edict. Why hasn't a black opts team been sent to remove this idiot. Remove a few of these and the country's that house and support them and the situation would change. Negotiation and dialog never work with someone who believes that killing you will send them to heaven.

Neanderthal| 9.22.10 @ 10:25AM

Old Joe,
Don't you understand? Islam is the Religion of Peace, and we're all just a bunch of ignorant bigots for thinking Muslims would ever do anything bad to us. That poor woman in Seattle is just confused.

Schiller| 9.22.10 @ 10:19AM

Yes Muhamidanism offers many points that deserve criticism. (most belief systems do). While we offer these criticisms and even joke, we should show a modicum of tolererance and respect--which of course they should reciprocate.
As Pappy Yokum said,"Good is better than evil, and it's nicer too."

Eric "Mohammad" Cartman| 9.22.10 @ 10:27AM

Well, I don't know who this Pappy Yokum thinks he is, but DEATH TO HIM! And DEATH TO DAISEY MAE SCRUGGS! She should be wrapped in burlap and stoned to DEATH! Thank you. Oh, and DEATH TO AMERICA!

Appleby| 9.22.10 @ 4:52PM

They're trying to get him, although they say the drone bombing of five houses in the general neighbourhood where he hangs out was just a coincidence or something...and the pack of ratz they have scooped all sort of looked like him but that's just a coincidence too.

Ramon 51| 9.22.10 @ 11:13AM

I agree that good is better than evil. However, to those who believe the Koran, only those in the Dar al Islam (House of Islam) are good. Everyone else resides in the Dar al Harb (House of War) and are evil. We think it is evil to force your religious views on anyone but they think it's obligatory. To borrow an analogy from Star Trek TNG, those who follow traditional, orthodox Islam are like the Borg. Their message is..."You will be assimilated." Kind of hard to find good points in that philosophy.

GoodMojo| 9.22.10 @ 12:19PM

Don't forget, "resistance is futile"... That's right! How do you mitigate, "CONVERT, ENSLAVE, OR EXECUTE"?

TR| 9.22.10 @ 12:19PM

Most belief systems don't call for the death of infidels. I will never respect islam - the cult worship of a moon-god allah.

Good is truly superior to evil, and I don't have to be nice to evil. Just to recognize it as such.

TR| 9.22.10 @ 12:20PM

that last post was directed at schiller not GoodMoJo

Karina| 9.22.10 @ 5:10PM

Well, as Warf said to the Borg as he man-handled his disruptor: "ASSIMILATE THIS!"

Booger| 9.22.10 @ 12:38PM

Equating "niceness" with goodness is flawed logic. Niceness is a learned set of behaviors generally intended to smooth social interactions but often used for manipulation. Psycopaths are actually more gifted in "niceness" towards their intended targets than the general population (see the classic "Without Conscience" by Robert Hare). Goodness is doing what's right. When confronted by a degenerate mob following a death cult founded by a pedophile-rapist-murderer, niceness is not goodness.

Douglas| 9.22.10 @ 2:42PM

You sound like a moral equivilence douche bag. No tolerance for a bunch of dark age lunatics that wish to kill and enslave us. What kind of moron makes a stupid a$$ comment like this. Wish in one and and shit in the other and see which gets filled the quicker.

Dai Alanye| 9.22.10 @ 4:55PM

In the first place, it was Mammy Yokum.

In the second place, it was "Good is better than evil because it's nicer."

In the third place, please shut up about "tolerance and respect" for Islam. Let the believers in Mohamed's fairy tales EARN some respect.

Kylie Estwick| 9.22.10 @ 10:28AM

1. Stewart and Colbert are admittedly comedians and entertainers, why bother bringing them into the conversation?? Unlike teabaggers, we do not let media personalities drive our agenda.
2. Although I have the right to walk down a bad section of town counting a wad of 100 dollar bills, I wouldnt do it. Heck, I dont even DRIVE through some parts of town. I have the right to, but I sure as heck am not going to exercise it. If you deliberately do something you KNOW is going to get you killed, arent you rather....um....stupid? Sorry. What's the deal with this burning desire to draw the prophet? Must be the same thing most of you feel about the N-word. It seems to make you mental that you cant say it. Who cares? I have better things to do.

Ken (Old Texican)| 9.22.10 @ 10:35AM

Kylie,
please, go do those better things. You have our permission.

Eric Cartman| 9.22.10 @ 10:53AM

Aren't ya glad Kylie Estwick and her band of pansy-men aren't in the military protecting us? We would become France - only more cowardly. Who wants to join me in watching Kylie get wrapped in a burka and stoned to death for driving her car when her new best friends the Muslims enact sharia law here in the good ole U.S. of A? We can all laugh at her as she takes part - a quick, brutal part - in her new pal's religious traditions.

I mean, she obviously a pathetic Liberal who wouldn't blame the rapist for killing her family and burning down her house after he raped her. It would somehow be the "teabagger's" fault, right Kylie? She's a perfect example of the cowardly stupidity of the Left, isn't she? I'm waiting for the day the Left decides to convert to Islam just because they think the TEA party is against Islam - that will show us! I predict it will be November 3rd. Any takers?

Wait a minute! One of Kylie Eswick's pansy-men IS in the military! He's the CIC! Well, Kylie, looks like you'll be participating in that religious experience sooner rather than later. And, um, don't bother calling us for assistance. You're on your own. Oh, wait - call those pansy-men of yours. I'm sure they'll help you.

RCV| 9.22.10 @ 12:00PM

Eric - Your homosexual fixation is showing again. You have a real personal problem, guy.

Eric Cartman| 9.22.10 @ 12:12PM

OMG! You found me out! How did you do it? Was it my paisley sun dress? My rainbow tattoo? My large hamster collection? I'm so ashamed.

TR| 9.22.10 @ 12:23PM

Cartman, I'm surprised you have an hamsters left with RCV and vtwin up and running today.

Eric Cartman| 9.22.10 @ 12:27PM

I had to beat them back with a stick. Uh-oh! I wrote beat and stick in the same sentence! Wait for it . . .

JTS| 9.22.10 @ 12:52PM

It was the Obama sticker on your Prius.

Bobby| 9.23.10 @ 12:45PM

Very very funny JTS
I love this site

RCV| 9.22.10 @ 1:15PM

Nothing to be ashamed of, Eric. That's what you have to come to realize. Then you'll be OK, boy.

Eric Cartman Rejoices!| 9.22.10 @ 1:45PM

Thank you, RCV. *sniffle* I will be always grateful to you for looking deeply into my postings and somehow *sniffle* finding my homosexual thoughts *sob* . I myself, and I'm sure many others, have looked and looked for these *burble* hidden homosexual meanings *snort* but could never find them. But YOU! You seem to have *sniffle* and special sensitivity to anything homosexual *blub*. You can see homosexual *burble* erotica in almost anything. Thank you *snuffle* sir for opening my eyes to *sob* the real meanings of my posts *blah burble sniff snorffle*!

RCV| 9.22.10 @ 2:51PM

Glad to help, Eric.

RCV| 9.22.10 @ 4:20PM

I'm OK ,You're OK !

Can I Give You A Massage ?

Please I'm Lonely .

TR| 9.22.10 @ 11:29AM

What is that squeeking crappy annoying noise I keeo hearing this morning? Oh, KyLIE is up and tapping her ignorant liberal keyboard.
By her illogic, if we know that a legitimate act of freedom of expression is going to upset the moon- god worshipping islamists, then we should bow to them.

KyLIE, you can grovel to terrorists all you want. You would be the first one they would kill. They hate women who express themselves. You are a marked target for them.

You say you have better things to do. Go do them, you vacuuous appeaser.

Booger| 9.22.10 @ 12:45PM

Dear Kylie,

I will assume, for the sake of argument (and from your name) that you are female. Let's carry your argument to its logical conclusion. Do not do anything that would offend Muslims, because that would lead to them trying to kill you, and is therefore stupid.
To adhere to this, the Kylie Doctrine, you, as a female, will have to carry out the following actions (this list is only partial, there will be more from the prophet):
1) Have your clitoris surgically removed.
2) Wear a burka
3) Convert to Islam
4) Abstain from all non-halal foods
5) Abstain from alcohol
6) Marry a muslim male who is permitted to use you for sex in any way he desires; your consent is not needed
7) If you give birth to a daughter, make sure she has her outer genitalia surgically removed
8) Never question a muslim male
When you have done ALL of these you will have BEGUN what you need to do in order to fulfill your doctrine. I would suggest that resistance might be a more profitable course of action.

Cordially,

Booger

JTS| 9.22.10 @ 1:12PM

If she does #1, I'll believe in her sanctimonious bullcrap. She really just hates conservatives and would rather live under muslim law than have to share the planet with a Coulter or a Reagan.

Impeach Don't Wait| 9.22.10 @ 8:59PM

"than have to share the planet with a Coulter or a Reagan."

...Who are among the true proponents of FREEDOM! But I guess that's trumped by wealth redistribution... or something....

Booger| 9.22.10 @ 1:35PM

Another thing, Kylie: I think your hero Josh Whedon would be very disappointed with your dhimmi attitude. Would you want your Firefly crew to stay in safe space?

Spyder308| 9.22.10 @ 4:55PM

Kylie makes perfectly good sense. What is the problem?

Dai Alanye| 9.22.10 @ 5:00PM

I agree with Kylie that if you flash a wad of money you deserve to be robbed. Furthermore, I believe if a woman wears tight clothes she deserves to be raped. And so forth...

WGMOW| 9.22.10 @ 5:26PM

Kylie, I'll bet you'd say the publiclly funded "art" masterpiece called Piss Christ, which had a crucefix upended in a jar of urine, is an exercise of the artist's free speech rights. I bet you support a woman's right to walk down a dark steet at night wearinig a tight t!t shirt down to her navel and a skirt up to her crack. Just like the New Black Panthers have the right to publicly call for killing crackers. So $hit, if they have that right we have the right to say or do whatever we please relative to mohammed.

That's the good thing aboutt his country - equal rights for all. No matter what you urban swamp dwellers say.

Booby| 9.23.10 @ 12:54PM

So Kylie
So isn't it deliberate of the Imam building the mosque at ground zero,knowing how the public feels,and in your own words,maybe get himself killed.So why is it ok for him,but not us?

Cro-Magnon| 9.22.10 @ 10:49AM

It's not an easy problem. It will take great courage to resist the pull to submission. Molly was on the right track (safety in numbers) but she became the target for leading a movement to mock the "prophet." We all, including AmSpec, admire her courage and wish her well.

What I wonder is, what is the difference between her and Pastor Jones? Was he not pressing the same cause (mocking Islam in the defense of the freedom of speech)? Is his life not endangered for offending the same Jihadist sensibilities? Yet he was subjected to withering criticism by the same people who laud Molly Norris. Why?

Is Mohammed mockery socially acceptable in polite society, while Koran burning is beyond the pale? Is it his creepy mustache? The tiny size of his congregation?

Eric Cartman| 9.22.10 @ 10:51AM

Eric Cartman| 9.22.10 @ 10:57AM

Whoops! Sorry for the double post - must be Mohammad punishing me.

Diverse County| 9.22.10 @ 11:06AM

Thanks Kylie. I would not walk in the Blood's turf wearing Crips' colors. Why do anything NONPRODUCTIVE to exacerbate a situation.

Before anyone condemns an entire religion (approx one fifth of the world's population) perhaps they should ask themselves "do I know one fifth of the world's population? I live in a community of peaceful diversity with several Muslim families. How many Muslims have you spoke with today?

Ramon 51| 9.22.10 @ 11:19AM

I know quite a few Muslims, have read the Koran, the Hadith of al'Bukhari and the Reliance of the Traveler. As individuals divorced from their culture - because Islam is a complete belief system...not just a religion - they are just fine. However, in my travels around the globe (62 countries and counting) I have observed that wherever they constitute a majority personal freedom dies. Peaceful? As individuals, yes. As a culture? They are intrinsically violent.

TR| 9.22.10 @ 11:37AM

Good point, Diverse Country.

You would simply cede control of a neighborhood to criminal murderers so as to not offend them and exacerbate the situation, instead of wiping them out.

I don't have to personally know one-fifth of the world's population to see their religion as an intolerant murderous cult. Their own "holy" book demands it. And they do not condem the violence and murder they commit. Guilt by their collective approval.

And, IMHO, diversity is the problem. We were at one time a melting pot. People come to American, they melt into society and become American and embrace American culture. But the bleeding heart liberals now say "we are a tossed salad, not a melting pot" and "we embrace diversity". What follows - groups of special interests who have no desire to become part of American culture, who want their own little country inside ours, who have no wish to get along, who are not Americans, they are hyphenated americans. Diversity my a**.

cl| 9.22.10 @ 11:18AM

stewart, colbert, letterman,etc. will not satirize islam becausse they are afraid, and because they are liberal/democrats. they will satirize only christians, mormons, and orthodox jews. they are very brave. they are like the people still arguing about the "silencing of galileo" or the crusades. or the aclu protecting "artists" who put a crucifix in a bucket of urine. these are very brave people.

WhereAreTheCons| 9.22.10 @ 11:28AM

I will miss Molly and her Liberal pot smoking humor and cartoons!

That being said, where's Rush, Beck, Palin, Coulter or even this rag coming out in public and standing up for the Rights of Americans and doing their own Mohammed drawings??

Once again it takes a Liberal to actually take the bullet for the ranters on the Right.

BTW, what world do you posters live in where there is ANY chance of Sharia Law taking efffect, as you say? Oh and read up on Sharia Law, first it is not Law and the way you reference it, has nothing to do with the actual law practiced by the Petro friends of the GOP in Saudi Arabia.

Eric Cartman| 9.22.10 @ 11:46AM

Hey look! Another know-nothing Libral Ahole! Let's stone him for blaspheming Ann Coulter! All praise Ann!

JeffW| 9.22.10 @ 12:03PM

Yea, OK. Go ask Britain how your mentality is working for them. Make sure you don't go into the totally Muslim neighborhoods since even the British police wont go in there.

TR| 9.22.10 @ 12:13PM

Or pretty much all of France. All of that country is pretty much muslim no-go zones. They riot and burn cars nearly every night.

If you wish to learn the french language, you only need to learn to say "Je capitule".
I SURRENDER.

Gill O’Teen ✝✡$| 9.22.10 @ 1:23PM

Since your handle asks ‘where are the cons?’, I’ll let you in on a little secret. The cons are in the House of misrepresentatives, the Sin-ate and the White House.

As to your obvious everything-I-know-was-told-me-by-the-Apollo-Alliance superior intellect, I would like to bring up some inconvenient truths about thing they may have forgot to tell you: From Wikipedia: “Sharia is the sacred law of Islam.” The article is too long to copy and paste here. But if you honestly are interested in research just visit the Wikipedia web site and type Sharia in the search box. That’s all I did. There are several nations today which impose Sharia on its citizens. Theocracies such as Iran and Saudi Arabia are just two examples. Wherever Islam has been allowed to increase in Europe Sharia has been used in court proceedings, and despite protestations from the kool-aid kool-alition it is making inroads wherever in the United States a large Musselman population has gathered. Recently a man claiming that Islam allowed him to brutalize and rape his wife had the charges dismissed by a New jersey judge in an American kourt.
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/.....n-america/

You might also read this article in “American Thinker” by James Arlandson http://www.americanthinker.com.....ia_is.html

You would be absolutely outraged if the Jews sought to impose their religious beliefs on us. You would be absolutely outraged if the Catholics sought to impose their religious beliefs on us, or the Mormons, or the Baptists. So how come the religion of tyranny gets a pass?

Gill O’Teen ✝✡$
Don’t Tread on Me.
gill.Oteen07041776@gmail.com
“So, fight them till all opposition ends and the only religion is Islam." - Qur'an:8:39
Only 851 days to go

Ramon 51| 9.22.10 @ 3:01PM

Strictly speaking, Sharia is a system of making legal decisions based primarily on the Koran and the Hadith. However, since applying Sharia results in legal decisions, I think the distinction is a bit tenuous. Of course there are 4 different legal schools but they agree completely on 75% of their interpretations. They all agree on how to treat al Dhimma (non-muslims who 'agree' to live in servitude), the punishment for apostasy (death), the requirement to replace all forms of civil government with one based on the Koran and the obligatory nature of Jihad.
The Wahabbi's in Saudi are not all that different than their bretheren around the Dar al Islam. It's a matter of degree, not basic beliefs. Petro friends of the GOP? Really? That is odd, I didn't see GWB practically prostrating himself before the King of Saudi Arabia!

james wilson| 9.22.10 @ 11:45AM

The Mediteranean Sea hollows Libya in the north, becoming a body of water that Libya claims but which is fact international water. American warships visit it every year to re-establish international law, and for no other reason. When the time comes that is not done, Libya will have claimed squatters rights.

Margaret Ball| 9.22.10 @ 12:10PM

I've been waiting a week to hear the roar of protest from liberal and MSM over Molly Norris' plight. They can speak up loud and clear over a crazy pastor burning a Koran in his yard but they have nothing to say about an American citizen being driven into hiding for exercising her freedom of speech.

Bobby| 9.23.10 @ 1:03PM

How true Margaret
It burns me inside,with this doulbe standard
I use be a Liberal
Then I started disliking Liberals
Now I honestly HATE Liberals

Bill| 9.22.10 @ 3:30PM

I find it a bit astounding despite what I have experienced of the mainstream media to see how this story has been glossed over. The only sources of news/commentary that express any interest in this sad story are the right-wing sources. Where are the news media expounding over First Amendment rights for a person whose work is published in news media? Evidently it depends on whose ox is being gored.

David Shoup| 9.22.10 @ 4:50PM

We are at war, people.
We did not start it, but, like it or not, we are in one.

Spyder308| 9.22.10 @ 5:01PM

We are only at war if we choose to see it that way. We are fools if we decide to take on the entire Muslim world because a small Muslim group attacked us.
We can't win that war and it will ruin us to try. Don't start wars you can't win. That is what kept us and the Soviets from wiping out mankind until the Soviets collapsed. Alwaki and his friends will collapse in time.

nunya| 9.22.10 @ 5:54PM

Whether or not you choose to believe we are at war or not, or whether our Congress determine to declare a war, they have declared war on us.

Wars cannot be won when we're tying our soldier's hands behind their back, or we're giving medals out for not shooting the enemy. If we choose to go to war, it needs to be all out. Like I was told when I was young: "Never start a fight, and never be the one to throw the first punch--but if someone starts a fight than you had better finish it."

Somewhere between now and then our entire country has forgotton that lesson. My good ex-Marine friend says "Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out" which is obviously over the top, but trying to "win hearts and minds" while on the battlefield is just as much BS. Win the war first, then work on the hearts and minds.

People forget that after WWII we still had skirmishes going on in Germany for some time. The "Wolverines" were killing our soldiers by stringing wire across roads so our soldiers would be decapitated. Oh, and please note that we have military bases in Germany 55 years after the war.

Nunya| 9.22.10 @ 5:56PM

Sorry, that's 65 years after the war.

Spyder308| 9.23.10 @ 10:19AM

Read "The Art of War" by SunTzu. Every officer in our military has. It says not to start wars you can't win.

Spyder308| 9.22.10 @ 4:51PM

Of course Alwaki has no concept of forgiveness. That is what sets Christianity apart. We can forgive and move on while other cultures can carry grudges of centuries. Those grudges stifle development, and hold both parties back. I would suggest that the lack of forgiveness in Islam is a great part of why they are still in the 8th century.
I am not sure why the author singled out Stewart and Colbert for not offering vigorous support. What about Hanity, O'Riley, Beck, Limbaugh and all the others who said little about the issue.

Cro-Magnon| 9.23.10 @ 2:25PM

Stewart and Colbert looked the other way when Comedy Central censored Southpark...pathetic.

Osamas Pajamas| 9.23.10 @ 2:07AM

Any book which advocates the murder of unbelievers, infidels, apostates, and heretics --- the murder of innocents, in other words --- does not qualify as a "holy book" --- unless the god which it espouses is a terrorist thug --- surely an impossible, Orwellian contradiction. What this planet needs is a real good "ethical cleansing" --- the wholesale destruction of the so-called Religion of Peace. Eradicate this brutal, totalitarian poison!

Matt| 9.23.10 @ 1:11PM

A perfect piece.... my only (minor) criticism is the term "freedom of expression." The Constitution upholds "freedom of speech," and no doubt had people like Molly Norris in mind, protecting them against thugs and arbitrary gov't. On the other hand I equate "expression" with the stunts of obscene artists and other fringe sociopaths who really don't need protection.