Random Thought #3

You know, it's been quite some time, and I'm still seeing news about protests and violence over the controversial Danish prophet cartoons (link to the cartoon with the turban being a bomb). In the end, both sides are wrong, and they should just leave it at that, and move on to bigger and better things, like world peace or sending someone to Mars.

First of all, it was wrong of the cartoonists and the newspapers for publishing the cartoons in the first place. Everyone is entitled to his/her own beliefs. Freedom of speech is great and all, but it should not be used as an excuse to incite and provoke reactions. If you already know that Islamic law prohibits any depiction of the prophet Mohammad to prevent idolatry, then you shouldn't be drawing these cartoons and make them public. It was also wrong of all the other newspapers that decided to reprint the cartoons in the name of "free speech." That was very, very inconsiderate. It can get really personal when you start provoking people, specially when religion is involved.

I read an article today on how they now have bounties on the cartoonists (link to news). I may not be that religious, and I'm definitely not a Muslim. But... dude, I cannot believe that any self-respecting religion would advice its followers to kill, or exact revenge. Just get over it already! Yes, it's wrong for the newspapers/cartoonists to do what they did. They'll probably burn in hell, have bad karma, or reincarnate as slugs... depending on your religion. Isn't that already enough punishment? I'm not saying that Islam is the only religion that has ever caused its followers to kill (remember the crusades?), but everyone should take a step back and look at the fundamental values in these religions.

I propose that we ship all the drugs found in the tunnels under the US-Mexico border to all the regions of conflict around the world. Maybe people will argue less if they're high and happy.