Agora

This just in, stay tuned as the story develops. I think we’ll be seeing people die in the coming days. You know, from "reactions"….

This will be brought in the French weekly Charlie Hebdo tomorrow, Wednesday. Charlie Hebdo has urged other papers to print it, as a show of solidarity. (Via: Jyllands-Posten)

Update: Follow the reactions in the blogosphere at the bottom of this post.

Update: Mainstream media coming onboard. Human Events just posted a story. Frontpage Magazine is now here too. More coming aboard? BBC decided to cover the story.

Update: Translations available: Spanish Dutch German French Danish Italian

Update: Also read this article in the Toronto Star from yesterday: "Don’t be silenced by extremists". I detect a trend.

MANIFESTO:

Together facing the new totalitarianism

After having overcome fascism, Nazism, and Stalinism, the world now faces a new totalitarian global threat: Islamism.

We, writers, journalists, intellectuals, call for resistance to religious totalitarianism and for the promotion of freedom, equal opportunity and secular values for all.

The recent events, which occurred after the publication of drawings of Muhammed in European newspapers, have revealed the necessity of the struggle for these universal values. This struggle will not be won by arms, but in the ideological field. It is not a clash of civilisations nor an antagonism of West and East that we are witnessing, but a global struggle that confronts democrats and theocrats.

Like all totalitarianisms, Islamism is nurtured by fears and frustrations. The hate preachers bet on these feelings in order to form battalions destined to impose a liberticidal and unegalitarian world. But we clearly and firmly state: nothing, not even despair, justifies the choice of obscurantism, totalitarianism and hatred. Islamism is a reactionary ideology which kills equality, freedom and secularism wherever it is present. Its success can only lead to a world of domination: man’s domination of woman, the Islamists’ domination of all the others. To counter this, we must assure universal rights to oppressed or discriminated people.

We reject « cultural relativism », which consists in accepting that men and women of Muslim culture should be deprived of the right to equality, freedom and secular values in the name of respect for cultures and traditions. We refuse to renounce our critical spirit out of fear of being accused of "Islamophobia", an unfortunate concept which confuses criticism of Islam as a religion with stigmatisation of its believers.

We plead for the universality of freedom of expression, so that a critical spirit may be exercised on all continents, against all abuses and all dogmas.

We appeal to democrats and free spirits of all countries that our century should be one of Enlightenment, not of obscurantism.

12 signatures

Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Chahla Chafiq
Caroline Fourest
Bernard-Henri Lévy
Irshad Manji
Mehdi Mozaffari
Maryam Namazie
Taslima Nasreen
Salman Rushdie
Antoine Sfeir
Philippe Val
Ibn Warraq

Presentations:

Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, from somilian origin, is member of Dutch parliement, member of the liberal party VVD. Writter of the film Submission which caused the assasination of Theo Van Gogh by an islamist in november 2004, she lives under police protection.

Chahla Chafiq
Chahla Chafiq, writer from iranian origin, exiled in France is a novelist and an essayist. She’s the author of "Le nouvel homme islamiste , la prison politique en Iran " (2002). She also wrote novels such as "Chemins et brouillard" (2005).

Caroline Fourest
Essayist, editor in chief of Prochoix (a review who defend liberties against dogmatic and integrist ideologies), author of several reference books on « laicité » and fanatism : Tirs Croisés : la laïcité à l’épreuve des intégrismes juif, chrétien et musulman (with Fiammetta Venner), Frère Tariq : discours, stratégie et méthode de Tariq Ramadan, et la Tentation obscurantiste (Grasset, 2005). She receieved the National prize of laicité in 2005.

Bernard-Henri Lévy
French philosoph, born in Algeria, engaged against all the XXth century « ism » (Fascism, antisemitism, totalitarism, terrorism), he is the author of La Barbarie à visage humain, L’Idéologie française, La Pureté dangereuse, and more recently American Vertigo.

Irshad Manji
Irshad Manji is a Fellow at Yale University and the internationally best-selling author of "The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim’s Call for Reform in Her Faith" (en francais: "Musulmane Mais Libre"). She speaks out for free expression based on the Koran itself. Née en Ouganda, elle a fui ce pays avec sa famille musulmane d’origine indienne à l’âge de quatre ans et vit maintenant au Canada, où ses émissions et ses livres connaissent un énorme succès.

Mehdi Mozaffari
Mehdi Mozaffari, professor from iranian origin and exiled in Denmark, is the author of several articles and books on islam and islamism such as : Authority in Islam: From Muhammad to Khomeini, Fatwa: Violence and Discourtesy and Glaobalization and Civilizations.

Maryam Namazie
Writer, TV International English producer; Director of the Worker-communist Party of Iran’s International Relations; and 2005 winner of the National Secular Society’s Secularist of the Year award.

Taslima Nasreen
Taslima Nasreen is born in Bangladesh. Doctor, her positions defending women and minorities brought her in trouble with a comittee of integrist called « Destroy Taslima » and to be persecuted as « apostate »

Salman Rushdie
Salman Rushdie is the author of nine novels, including Midnight’s Children, The Satanic Verses and, most recently, Shalimar the Clown. He has received many literary awards, including the Booker Prize, the Whitbread Prize for Best Novel, Germany’s Author of the Year Award, the European Union’s Aristeion Prize, the Budapest Grand Prize for Literature, the Premio Mantova, and the Austrian State Prize for European Literature. He is a Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et Lettres, an Honorary Professor in the Humanities at M.I.T., and the president of PEN American Center. His books have been translated into over 40 languages.

Philippe Val
Director of publication of Charlie Hebdo (Leftwing french newspaper who have republished the cartoons on the prophet Muhammad by solidarity with the danish citizens targeted by islamists).

Ibn Warraq
Ibn Warraq , author notably of Why I am Not a Muslim ; Leaving Islam : Apostates Speak Out ; and The Origins of the Koran , is at present Research Fellow at a New York Institute conducting philological and historical research into the Origins of Islam and its Holy Book.

Antoine Sfeir
Born in Lebanon, christian, Antoine Sfeir choosed french nationality to live in an universalist and « laïc » (real secular) country. He is the director of Les cahiers de l’Orient and has published several reference books on islamism such as Les réseaux d’Allah (2001) et Liberté, égalité, Islam : la République face au communautarisme (2005).

International Media Coverage:

Al Jazeera: "Writers slam Islamic ‘totalitarianism’"

Independent Online, ZA: "Writers take aim at Islamic ‘totalitarianism’"

Mail & Guardian Online, ZA: Rushdie rails against Islamic ‘totalinarianism’

Human Events: "Noted European Intellectuals Make Public Plea to Fight Islamism"

Quote: It will be interesting to watch how many in the European and American press take notice of this declaration, and how many will continue to avoid the debate in the guise of avoiding “Islamophobia.” Hat tip to Michelle Malkin for calling attention to the declaration.

Frontpage Magazine: "A Manifesto Against Totalitarianism"  (It’s story number four from the top)

Quote: And you can add my name to that list.

Middle East Times: "Salman Rushdie, other condemn Islamic ‘totalitarianism’"

BBC: "Writers issue cartoon row warning"

Quote: Almost all of those who have signed the statement have experienced difficulties with Islamic militancy first-hand, says the BBC’s Caroline Wyatt in Paris.

National Journal Blogometer: "JYLLANDS-POSTEN: Rushdie Limbaugh?"

Quote: Jyllands-Posten, the Danish newspaper which ran the controversial Muhammad cartoons last fall, has now published "Manifesto: Together facing the new totalitarianism." Signatories include longstanding fatwa target Salman Rushdie and fellow targets Somali-born Dutch parliamentarian Ayaan Hirsi Ali, French "American Vertigo" author Bernard-Henri Levy, Canadian feminist Muslim Irshad Manji and a half-dozen others.

Townhall.com: "Muslim Dissenters Make Public Stand Against Islamism"

The Statesman: "Rushdie, others against Islamic ‘totalitarianism’"

 

Reactions from the Blogosphere:

Atlas Shrugs: "A Manifesto Slams Islamic Totalitarianism"

Pamela adds: Heads are gonna roll………..no pun intended.

My Pet Jawa: "A Manifesto Against Islamofascism"

Jawa adds: Add my name.

Vince Aut Morire: "I’ll Take Your Fatwa And Raise You A Manifesto"

Vince adds: Throw my name on there too.

The Stockholm Spectator: "Rushdie’s Manifesto to Be Printed Tomorrow"

Moynihan adds: Riots to follow, no doubt.

No Pasaran!: "File under: freedom"

Michelle Malkin: "A Manifesto Against Islamism"

Michelle adds: Show Sammenhold. Spread the word far and wide.

Johan Norberg: "Against the New Totalitarians"

Snouck Hurgronje: "Liberal Jihad"

Snouck adds: In order to win the respect of a Muslim, you stand up to him. Death or Victory!"

Queer Conservative: "We Must All Hang Together, Or Assuredly We Shall All Hang Separately"

Captain’s Quarters: "The New Totalitarian Threat"

CQ adds: Salman Rushdie knows firsthand what Islamism has done to free expression. His inclusion in this effort by Charlie Hebdo in France shows a unity that others in the media would do well to emulate.

Small Town Veteran: "Salman Rushdie, Ayaan Hirsi Ali et al: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

SMT adds: Add my name too, Rusty. Islamism delenda est! Death before dhimmitude.

PBS Watch: "No Retreat, No Surrender"

PBS adds: These people are putting their lives on the line. They deserve our support. Pass the word, republish this on your blog. If you have influence with print or electronic media, get them to publish the manifesto and the cartoons.

A Tic In The Mind’s Eye: "On Board With This!"

Tic adds: In support and solidiarity for and with my fellow artists and writers I post this manifesto for freedom of speech printed by Læs Jyllands-Postens.

JunkYardBlog: "Militant Islam and Children"

JYB adds: This is about the only response any freedom-loving person can have to an ideology that goes out of its way to abuse and kill children and destroy everything it comes into contact with. Islamism destroys nations, faiths, families, lives, freedom itself. Read the rest. And sign me up.

The Anti-Corn Law League: "MANIFESTO: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

TACLL adds: Salman Rushdie has more cojones than 10 other men put together.

Slapstick Politics: "A 21st Century Manifesto For Freedom"

House Of The Dog: "A Manifesto Against Islamism"

Little Green Footballs: "A Manifesto Against Islamic Totalitarianism"

LGF adds: And you can add my name to that list.

Tim Blair: "Resistance"

Stop The Aclu: "A Manifesto Against Islamism"

STA adds: What can one say to such a magnificently written, and clear cut message. Wake up America! We are talking about freedom here! Add my name to the list!

FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog: "Muhammad Caricature Watch: Manifesto Against ISLAMISM"

FFDB adds: Spread the Word…… Write and ask these newspapers to print and sign the Manifesto:

New York Times
Washington Post
Los Angeles Times
Oh, and don’t bet the farm on a favorable reply………

The Belmont Club: "Blowback"

Belmont adds: This represents a substantial — but not a total — departure from the strategic idea of treating Islam as a religion of peace and focusing on a narrow group of miscreants within it as the true enemy. The Manifesto shifts the definition of the enemy from a group of people to an ideology. If Jim Geraghty is right the threat to the President’s original strategic focus comes not from a single party or even from the his traditional opponents on the Left, but a kind of populist mood swing engendered by a cumulative disenchantment.

GM’s Corner: "Manifesto Against The New Totalitarianism"

GM adds: Captain Ed and Agora believe that this Manifesto deserves the widest possible circulation. I agree. For those that do not believe that Islamism or Islamofascism is the greatest threat to world peace at the present time, please read this and ponder its message.

Floyd Stuart: "Relegate them to the dustbin of history"

Floyd adds: Salmaan Rushdie and Dutch MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali are among twelve signers of a statement making a resounding denunciation of Islamism. Here’s a jarring left hook.

Tipping Points: "Manifesto Against Islamism!"

TP adds: Michelle Malkin is on it. You can add my name any time you want, guys.

Gateway Pundit: "A Manifesto Against Islamic Totalitarianism"

GP adds: Brave World Writers and Intellectuals Make a Stand Against Islamofascism […] Earlier this month, Charlie Hebdo published the Danish cartoons together with one it had commissioned for its cover showing the Prophet Muhammad muttering, "It’s hard to be loved by morons."

A Blog For All: "The Manifesto Against Islamist Totalitarianism"

ABFA adds: This is one posting that deserves very wide distribution. The twelve people who wrote and signed their names to this letter know first hand what totalitarianism and militant Islam can do in the name of their religious views. It will be interesting to see how big media outlets cover this particular story.[…]As Charles said, I sign my name to this letter as well.

The Party Line: "Together facing the new totalitarianism"

Aaron adds: You can add my name as well.

Strong As An Ox And Nearly As Smart: "Salman Rushdie, Ayaan Hirsi Ali et al Slam Islamic Totalitarianism"

Michael adds: They can protest all they want. Damn, that’s the American way! But threats mean no respect, and violence means that they are disrepecting their own religion far more than an Infidel like I could. If there is an Allah, He has got to be wondering how His work got so screwed up, especially since nothing is supposed to happen without His OK.

The Asylum: "A Manifesto Against Radical Islam"

Syd & Vaugn adds: And once again I say: Sign us onto this manifesto.

The Stoner Pundit: "Couldn’t have said it better"

Andrés Gentry: "Together facing the new totalitarianism"

Myopic Thoughts: "Resistance To Totalitarianism"

Norton adds: The world has seem a number of ideologies that are forms of totalitarianism. Islamism is the totalitarianism that threatens us today.

Tongues of Angels: "A Manifesto Against Islamism"

LTA adds: Bravo.

Instapundit: "A Manifesto Against The New Islamic Totalitarianism"

Glenn adds: Bravo.

Blue Star Chronicles: "Manifesto Against Islam"

Beth adds: Solidarity. The 12 people who wrote and signed this document know very well the risk they take. We need to send a clear message that they don’t stand alone.

Stuck On Stupid: "Manifesto Against Islamist Totalitarianism"

SOS adds: Never Forget 9.1.1

Elder of Ziyon: "A Manifesto Against Islamic Totalitarianism"

EoZ adds: This manifesto is a proper response to the immature and absurd riots that have broken out, meant to show Muslims are not totally impotent. The West needs to understand the threat posed by political Islam and Islamism. Let us hope that other newspapers have the guts to publish and support this.

Freie Gedanken: "Manifest gegen den neuen Totalitarismus"

FG adds: Mehr gibt es dazu nicht zu sagen. Wahrscheinlich ist die Zeit reif dafür, dass es ein Grossteil der Leute begreift.

The Volokh Conspiracy: "Salman Rushdie, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Bernard-Henri Lévy, and Others"

Steel Deal: "They Should Know"

SD adds: I take them at their word - so should the WORLD.

My Fleeting Thoughts: "MANIFESTO: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

Maximum Advantage Discussed: "Worthless Whores"

SRL adds: Salman Rushdie would know.

Crossing the Rubicon2: "Spreading Quickly Through Political Blogs…"

CTR2 adds: Brave?  Foolhardy?  We will have to watch the scenario unfold

Protein Wisdom: "A Manifesto Against Islamic Totalitarianism"

PW adds: Yes, I’m thrilled to see others engaging in the same type of argument, which points out the structural problems within the Islamic worldview itself and recognizes the need to counter this structural deficiencies with memetics of western liberalism—namely, the promotion of “universal” individual rights as a counter to pernicious group-based collectivist politicking.

Wizbang!: "Standing up to Islamic Totalitarianism"

Wizbang adds: These 12 brave souls.

Simi Valley Sophist: "Islamism-A Global Threat & the Manifesto"

SVS adds: Many writers, scholars and commentators are on the forefront of recognizing Islamism as the totalitarian challenge of the 21st century. But, it takes a special courage to speak out against Islamism when you come from countries and cultures that are spawning Islamism.

The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler: "While The American Lamestream Media Are Cowering Under Their Desks…"

Misha adds: …a dozen European writers, journalists and intellectuals, Salman Rushdie among them, have decided to stand up and be counted.

Musings of the Geek with a .45: "They Almost Get It Right…"

MOTGWA45 adds: They plead. They plead to the same dark forces they decry "for the universality of freedom of expression, so that a critical spirit may be exercised on all continents, against all abuses and all dogmas." That’s not how it works.

Freedom’s Truth & Liberating Iraq: "A Manifesto Against ‘Islamism’"

FT adds: Sign me up as well.

Snarking Dawg: "Twelve Infidels on Twelve Infidelities"

Dawg adds: Jyllands-Posten, the courageous Danish magazine which originally published the infamous cartoons has served another volley in the form of a manifesto signed by twelve intellectuals, each of whom have had their own unique engagements with Islamism.

I Am, Therefore I Think: "Add My Name, Too"

Sum, Ergo Cogito adds: Having already published the Dirty Dozen cartoons, I now add my own assent to the statement signed by Salman Rushdie, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and ten other prominent figures who find themselves targeted by radical Islamists.

Urbangrounds: "A Manifesto Against Islam"

Urbangrounds adds: I proudly add my own name to this list in full, unwaivering support of this manifesto.

Hyperstition: "The Desert Grows …"

Hyperstition adds: Lights going out in Europe. Update: Manifesto against Islamic Totalitarianism.

The Dread Pundit Bluto: "A Manifesto Against Totalitarianism"

Bluto adds: Add The Dread Pundit Bluto to the list, with one proviso - I don’t "plead" for freedom of expression, I demand it.

Merry Musings: "Manifesto for Two, Please"

MM adds: Please, sign me up. Vinnie, my dear, you need some competition for your fatwa.

California Patriot: "Manifesto against Islamic Totalitarianism"

Patrick adds: Blogs from all over the world are republishing the document as a show of solidarity. It’s Islam Awareness Week on the Berkeley campus. Perhaps this is the perfect time to discuss this issue. Let’s prove the Daily Cal wrong: symbolic gestures can play an important part in this great debate.

JasonColeman: "A Manifesto for the new millennium…"

JC adds: As an atheist, it makes perfect sense for me to agree with this. As an American, it makes even more sense. As a product of Western Civilization, it makes even more. As one human among 6.5 billion others, even more. In fact, I can’t find a single solitary reason to disagree with any of this. So I’ll make it mine and add my name to the list. Mr. Rushdie and others, I’m proud to stand with you.

The Infidelphian Outpost: "Manifesto to the World (sign it, if you dare)"

Jauhara al-Kafirah adds: "This is important. Read the following statement. INTERNALIZE IT ALL!! Republish it on your blog, pass it around. Make everyone aware of it and goldurnit..SIGN IT!"

The Political Pit Bull: "Standing Up To Islamism"

Kim Priestap: "Manifesto Against Islamic Totalitarianism"

Kim adds: These are very brave souls who signed this manifesto.

Hennessy’s View: "Manifesto Against Islamism"

Hennessy adds: Perhaps it’s time for a fight to the finish.

Dr. Sanity: "Manifesto Against Islamism"

Sanity adds: We don’t want your Sharia/To Hell with your opression of women/To Hell with your intolerance and hatred/We will stand for our values/And never surrender to your tyranny.

The End Zone: "Manifesto: a courageous stand against the new totalitarianism"

Greg Cotharn adds: Add my name.

Bobalonius: "12 signatures"

Bobalonius adds: Current Mood: ecstatic

Liberal Catnip: "This Is What it’s Come To: A Manifesto Against Islamism"

Catnip adds: Its word are stunning, extreme and fly in the face of religious tolerance. Its target is Islam - not the extremists who have hijacked the religion - but the religion itself. It’s the equivalent of a western call for a jihad and it’s unacceptable.

Ebenezer: "A Manifesto Against Islamism"

Ebenezer adds: Read the whole thing.  It will be interesting to see if this catches on or is just a passing fancy.

Bill_Millan: "A ‘Clash of Civilizations?’"

Pekin Prattles: "A Manifesto Against Islamism!"

Pekin adds: About time somebody, somewhere, stood up and noticed this….. […] Too long have politically correct idiots manned the bulwarks of decency and common sense while we slowly slide under the thumb of ridiculous ideas from a single-sided ranting of the Islamofascists….joined all too often by near-moderate muslims!

Life Through My Eyes: "A Manifesto against Islamism"

LTME adds: A manifesto against Islamism has been created by some influential names, and is being passed around the internet and the world. I recommend you put it on your blog and promote it around the world!

Free Frank Warner: "This says it: MANIFESTO: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

Dr. Melissa Clouthier: "Islamism Manifesto: Rushdie May Get Another Death Fatwa"

Melissa adds: It’s about time! I’ve been ranting and raving about Islamism and the cow-towing of Western Democracies. It must stop. Civilization depends on free people fighting the IDEOLOGICAL battle for freedom!

The Squiggler: "A Manifesto Against Islamic Totalitarianism"

Squiggler adds: To put it in the simplest of terms, tolerance of the intolerant is not tolerance. By repeating the mantra that we must be respectful of the Muslim cultural sensibilities, we are effectively denying millions of the universal rights of freedom and equality. We are, for all intents and purposes, making Muslims 2nd class beings whose culture denies them full citizen/person status.

Body Parts: "Manifesto Against Islamist Totalitarianism"

BP adds: We support it. Many conservative bloggers support it. You should support it. And you should keep a list of those who refuse to support it.

Caribpundit: "No to Islamic Totalitarianism"

CP adds: We will never surrender!

E-NOUGH!: "A manifesto against the new totalitarianism, Islamism"

Deep Keel: "The Manifesto Opposing Islamist Totalitarianism"

DK adds: The Free World has three options facing it:  1) establish forcefully with peaceful means like public expression that we will not surrender our freedom, 2) appease until we have no choice left but to fight a war of civilizations, and 3) surrender to Islamist rule.  Stand and be heard while it still can make a difference.

The Reid Report: "Bad headline avoidance 101: Bring back the Cartoon Jihad!!!"

Reid adds: What a bunch of overblown, self-important, pretentious, indulgent rubbish. The people protesting those ridiculous, offensive cartoons aren’t all Islamists, folks — they’re mainly ordinary Muslims who were freaking pissed off that Jyllands Posten published the cartoons.

Fish Taco Stand: "To Face the New Totalitarianism"

Taco adds: The new totalitarianism that the global jihadists would create must be faced with seriousness of purpose, and not only the will to oppose the jihad with warfare, but also the will to do whatever it takes to convince the rest of the world that we (the West) are right and they (Jihadists) are wrong.

Bob The Nominal Pirate: "Finally, Rushdie is heard from."

Bob adds: From the brave newspaper that brought you the Forbidden Mohammed Cartoons,* Jyllands-Posten. A manifesto signed by Salman Rushdie and other familiar names in the struggle against Jihadism. […] Watch out; fatwas will be issued, riots started, assassins dispatched. It will happen.

Jihad I Malmö: "Rushdie m fl: Islamismen globalt hot"

Grabbag: "Islamism, The New Face of Totalitarianism?"

Antibuerokratieteam.de: "Dem neuen Totalitarismus gemeinsam entgegentreten"

Aquarius: "Forfattere i frontalangreb på islamisme"

ExTrEmE_bLoG: "Klar tale.."

Polemiken: "Nu går Salman Rushdie ud og advarer verden direkte mod islam"

Polemiken: "Mere om Salman Rushdie og det manifest, som han og 11 andre kunstnere og intellektuelle har fremsat i dag."

Sneakeasy’s Joint: "Speaking up for a Century of Enlightenment"

Speakeasy adds:  Salman Rushdie, and a few other Intellectuals, have proclaimed a MANIFESTO AGAINST THE NEW ISLAMIC TOTALITARIANISM…. The piece is a powerful statement of belief, and purpose, that needs the widest audience possible, and the support of Freedom, and Democracy, Loving people everywhere….

The Other Club: "If the West can just match their courage"

TOC adds: Fatwas calling for their murder will certainly follow. This is definitely going to inflame the Islamofascist protesters, so can the Western press justify printing it? Let us see how much coverage these courageous Muslims receive for putting their lives on the line in defense of liberty.

Dansk-Svensk: "Rushdie advarer mod militant islam"

Confederate Yankee: "Some will not go Quietly"

CY adds: In a Europe seemingly paralyzed by fear, a dozen brave souls speak out in this translation in Jyllands-Posten. […] All freedoms worth having must be fought for to be cherished. Dine-and-dash pacifists who risk nothing, deserve nothing, and very often get exactly that. I will not go quietly into submission.

Infidel Bloggers’ Alliance: "Manifesto: ‘Together We Are facing the new totalitarianism’"

Filtrat.dk: "Together We Are facing the new totalitarianism"

The Missing Link: "A Manifesto for Freedom"

Commoner Sense: "Recognizing dissent"

CS adds: I’m not hopeful that this manifesto with catch on. Most likely the mainstream media will stuff it down the memory hole, preferring to devote yet more coverage to bearded troglodytes hurling stones at embassies. I’ve written before pointing out the dangerous tendency in the west to ignore dissent in the Muslim world. Reuters and other major news outlets regularly print statements such as this: "Muslims consider any images of Mohammad to be blasphemous."

Six Days: "Manifesto"

Six Days adds: "This just in from some of the biggest names in anti-dhimmitude. Lets see if the cowardly media that failed to print those cartoons will also shy away from printing this manifesto. If this courage can be found, I do not expect a generous reception from the ROP. Just as with the pictures, it falls to every blogger out there to reprint it and I am doing my humble bit."

The Astute Blogger: "The Much Bally-Hooed Manifesto Against Islamic Totalitarianism!"

TAB adds: "It’s swell that these famous Left-leaning intellectuals have taken a universalist/non-relativist stand on human rights, but the REAL issue is: What are they willing to do about it?! Are they willing to support a proactive, bold, aggressive counter-attack - including sanctions, blockades and even preemptive military strikes? Will they urge their own nations to do more to help the USA and the UK and the other coalition members assist the emerging Iraqi democracy?"

James D Hudnall: "Manifesto Against Islamists"

JDH adds: Right on. I’d add my name to this list if they’d take it.

Harry’s Place: "Writers against Islamism"

Rantburg: "MANIFESTO: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

Rantburg adds: You can add my name to the list.

Sock Puppet of Doom: "Together facing the new totalitarianism"

SPOD adds: Count me in. Jyllands-Posten is running this. Add my name to the list. When Theo van Gogh was murdered I knew I had to speak up and did then. I will also stand with these people now. Below I have copied the Manifesto. Count me in.

History News Network: "Fighting Back with Constitution and Manifesto"

Judith adds: Now, that is what I call a constructive  idea. Read also the new Manifesto against the new Islamist totalitarianism.

Mensa Barbie: "Totalitarian Global Threat"

Barbie adds: re- Manifesto: I’ve just returned from my trip. I can’t believe how much respect I have for these 12 (below) …I’ll proudly stand beside them. ~MB

Tundra Tabloids…….: "An Anti-Islamism Manifesto…….."

TT adds: Eleven brave intellectuals speak out against the new totalitarian threat……Islamism. KGS

Out on a limb at Mike Lief.com: "Confronting Islamism"

Mike adds: Jyllands-Posten, the Danish newspaper that published the cartoons that drove Muslims to murder, has now published a manifesto from prominent writers and intellectuals, avoiding the pusillanimous multi-culti sensitivity of papers like the New York Times, and actually dared to name the enemy at the gates. […] A clarion call to arms. Spread the word.

Jeff Weintraub: "Manifesto: Facing the new totalitarianism"

Republikanisme.nl: "Sammenhold: ‘Together facing the new totalitarianism’"

Villagers With Torches: "We’re your Huckleberries -MANIFESTO: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

VWT adds: As tiny as we are… SIGN US UP

All Things Beautiful: "The Manifesto Against The New Islamic Totalitarianism"

ATB adds: Freedom of expression is our western heritage and we must defend it or it will die from totalitarian attacks. It is also much needed in the Islamic world. By defending our values, we are teaching the Islamic world a valuable lesson, we are helping them by submitting their cherished traditions to Enlightenment values.

Eurabian News: "Intelectuales independientes firman un manifiesto contra el islamofascismo"

The Brussels Journal: "Anti-Jihad Manifesto Misses the Point"

Paul adds: In our opinion, man is a religious being. Secularism destroyed the Christian roots of Europe and, in doing so, created the religious vacuum that is now being filled by Islam.

Rantings of a Sandmonkey: "Anti-Islamist Manifesto"

Sandmonkey adds: It’s a courageous step, but one that is long overdue, given that most of those people had Fatwas on their heads for quite a while now. This was bound to happen sooner or later, and it’s a necessary evil so to speak, because it will draw the line and force people to be in one camp or the other, instead of the usual indifference exhibited by the silent muslim majority. It’s very definitive in stating you are either with the extreemists with their fatwas and culture of death, or you are against it. […] Ok, where do I sign up?

Silent Running: "Death before dhimmitude"

SR adds: I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live.

Dennis Hollingsworth: "Manifesto"

The Canadian Sentinel: "Manifesto Against Islam: The Consequence of Fascism, Terrorism and Warmongering"

Sentinel adds: It’s about time. Free human beings everywhere must now proceed to boldly, loudly and openly repeat these declarations. I unequivocally endorse the Manifesto! I invite all who belive in freedom, democracy, the rule of law and the equality of all human beings to join in this historically critical endorsement of the Manifesto!

Scipio the Metalcon: "MANIFESTO: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

Scipio adds: Justice can also exist in the market forces of the media. I urge all to cancel their subscriptions and stop buying the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, LA Times, Time magazine, and Newsweek magazine. The people that own and run these newspapers and periodicals need to be punished for their hypocritical cowardice in not showing the cartoons and the fakes, and do this by driving them out of business. They no longer take their role of being members of the press seriously.

Reason: Hit’n'Run: "Manifesto: Facing the new totalitarianism"

Marvin’s Word: "A Manifesto Against Islamism"

Marvin adds: Show Sammenhold! Spread the word far and wide.

Nihil Obstat: "Plantant cara al nou totalitarisme"

The C-Square: "Manifesto Slam Against Islamic Totalitarianism"

NormBlog: "I am a secular human being"

Secundum Christum: "The left enters the war games"

SC adds: The entry will redefine terms, since the term "War on Terror" was meant to explain the right’s action to the left in politically correct terms were at least argueable. The issue appears to have demolished by the Cartoon jihad leaving the left to identify an ideological enemy.

Super Flumina: "Manifesto contra o novo totalitarismo"

Jihad Watch: "Writers protest the new totalitarianism"

JW adds: Although I don’t agree with every detail of this statement, my hat is off to them.

Jugoblog: "Together, facing the new totalitarianism"

Daimnation!: "Add my name"

Mick Hartley: "The Universality of Freedom of Expression"

Cryptic Subterranean: "Declaration"

CS adds: Add me to that list too.

I Lampoon: "Manifesto against Islamic Totalitarianism"

The Last Amazon: "The Manifesto"

Amazon adds: Add me to the list not only because we can but we must.

Itai: "Manifesto"

Toman Bay: "This Is Gonna Be BIG!"

Toman adds: Is it permissible to issue another fatwa against Rushdie? I read somewhere that two death fatwas can invalidate each other!

Dancingguy: "A rejection of totalitarianism"

Maryam Namazie: "Manifesto: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

Islamophobic: "Manifesto: ‘Together We Are Facing the new totalitarianism’"

Familienyt: "Salman Rushdie og venner"

Agam’s Gecko: "Anti-Totalitarian Manifesto"

Agam adds: And a reminder to Muslims who may be reading, and for whom "secularism" is taught to be a dirty word: "My religion for me, your religion for you," is the essence of secularism. No compulsion in religion, and it’s all right there in the Qur’an.

bRight & Early: "Speaking Out, Standing Up, Hanging Together"

B&E adds: We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.

Dumb Looks Still Free: "The Manifesto Against Islamic Totalitarianism"

AJ adds: I sign up to the Manifesto Against Islamic Totalitarianism and for the Rights of Man so that individuals can pursue life, liberty and happiness in the security that others respect those rights.

Das politisch inkorrekte Weblog in Deutschland: "Aufruf gegen islamischen Totalitarismus" (HAS GERMAN TRANSLATION)

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum: "Together, facing the new totalitarianism"

Yourish.com: "Against Islamic totalitarianism"

Meryl adds: Count me in.

eXtrême-centre: "Un appel pour la liberté" (HAS FRENCH TRANSLATION)

The Editors Weblog: "Jyllands Posten reprints manifesto fighting "the new totalitarianism"

QandO: "Manifesto against ‘Islamism’"

QandO adds: Key points: It’s time to call it what it is and quit dancing around the problem. Islamism is a totalitarian ideology to be resisted by all freedom loving people. Islamism does not equal Islam, but is, instead, a totalitarian movement which improperly uses Islam as a basis of its legitimacy (something which must be rejected). Islamism is a reactionary ideology bent on world domination. The end-state would be a totalitarian theocratic regime. And most important, a rejection of a fairly pernicious western disease called ‘moral relativism’, which equates all cultures and ideologices as morally neutral.

Sisu: "An unholy comparison"

Sisu adds: We agree and have posted before about the good works of several of the signers — including two dauntless woman word warriors, former Muslim Ayaan Hirsi Ali and current Muslim Irshad Manji — but are persuaded by Belien’s argument that the anti-jihad manifesto misses an important point

Classical Values: "I can’t relate to tyranny, because it isn’t a relative thing"

CV adds: Those who believe in identity politics would do well to remember that feminism once condemned Islamist oppression of women in no uncertain terms. No more. Feminism has been forced into submission. A former feminist told me that she expects that gay rights will be next. (Actually, it’s already happening. More here; related story here.) I guess multiculturalist relativism means hanging together separately.

GOP Bloggers: "Moderate Muslims Making a Stand"

GOPB adds: These people need our support and that of the West, which should stop appeasing and excusing the radicals.

Secular Blasphemy: "MANIFESTO: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

SB adds: I’d sign it, too.

Newsbeat1: "A manifesto against the new totalitarianism…….."

Tatterhead: "Manifesto"

Capt. Craig adds: At last! The outspoken have called a spade exactly what it is. Enough of the PC olagenous and saponatious doublespeak. The reign of terror that dare not be named has now been screamed from the minarets of freedom and identified for what it is. Let us see how the so called bastions of freedom in the form of the MSM will handle it. I will do my part.

Pub Philosopher: "Rushdie warns against a ‘new totalitarian threat’"

PP adds: It is great to see a British writer among the signatories,  after the disgraceful cringing of this country’s media and elected representatives in recent weeks.

Ocean Guy: "Spreading the Word"

Thoughts By Seawitch: "A Stand"

Seawitch adds: I add my name to this manifesto. Ayaan Ali and Salmon Rushdie are two well known names who have received death threats and had fatwas issued against them because of words they have written or spoken.

Relapsed Catholic: "Rushdie, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Bernard-Henri Levy, and Others"

RC adds: Manifestos are such a bad idea. They normally signal a movement in decline before it’s begun, or one too esoteric to gain any popular traction. I’m also a bit suspicious of repeated appeals to "secularism", of the presence of so many "apostates" and, in one instance, someone from Iran’s "Workers-Communist Party". Maybe "suspicious" is the wrong word but I’m still half asleep. Anyway, this is still a stirring call to "arms", and we need all the help we can get.

Sister Toldjah: "Manifesto against Islamic totalitarianism"

Toldjah adds: Their courage is to be admired and saluted. My hat is off to them.

Dissecting Leftism: "Politics, Happiness and Genes"

Jon Jay adds: I guess the media will try to ignore this but a manifesto against Islamofascism has just been signed by some notable campaigners — Salman Rushdie, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Bernard-Henri Levy etc.

Conservative Culture: "Anti-Jihad Manifesto - Flaws?"

CC adds: Certainly it is a bold document and elements with which I would agree on. However, I appreciate Paul Belien’s (Brussels Journal) approach to the document and what he sees as flaws in the manifesto. Whether you agree or not, bear with the discussion.

Joel Rosenberg: "MANIFESTO: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

Jeff the Baptist: "Islamist Totalitarianism"

Jeff adds: I pray that speech will be all that is necessary. But in my heart I fear that stronger and dirtier means may be necessary.

Deborah Gyapong: "This is the manifesto I can sign onto"

Deborah adds: Many of my favorite bloggers, like Gateway Pundit and Dr. Sanity support this Manifesto against Islamofascism. But another, Relapsed Catholic, shares my reservations. And so does Reliapundit, who comments on Dr. Sanity’s site. If I’m going to stand shoulder to shoulder with Europeans, this is the manifesto I have signed onto: […]

Holy Prick Faggot: "Manifesto Against Islamism"

HPR adds: Perhaps we should be encouraging our local papers to print this manifesto and even call on local college professors to sign on.

Lobal Warming: "Facing Neo-Totalitarianism …"

LaurenceJarvikOnline: "Manifesto: Islamism’s Totalitarian Global Threat"

Laurence adds: How come I didn’t see this manifesto in today’s Washington Post? Censorship or self-censorship?

The Retread Ranger Station: "Facing The New Totalitarianism"

Ranger Bob adds: The good guys in the global village get together: from  Jyllands-Posten in Copenhagen to the shores of Gitchee Gummee.

D.C. Thornton: "Taking A Stand Against Islamism"

D.C. adds: The above signatories have seen and experienced the abhorrent effects of Islamism around the world. Their brave stand sends a message to Islamic extremists that enough is enough. I proudly stand in sammenhold with them.

Maritime Liberal: "Why I Support the ‘Manifesto’"

ML adds: Contrary to what many argue, it is not racist or anti-Islamic. The manifesto it self (attached below) attacks Islamism, not Islam. This is the first weakness of this document: it fails to specifically define Islamism this leaving it up to some interpretation. […] This is a well written document and I fully support it.

And Rightly So: "Manifesto"

NoolaBeulah: "Facing the new totalitarianism"

NB adds: Not much to disagree with here. I do wonder about the line "we must assure universal rights to oppressed or discriminated people". If they mean that we must do this in Western countries, that is surely true - it is, in the end, the sine qua non of the defense of our own liberties. But what does it imply for the oppressed of countries whose very regimes are the oppressors? How aggressive must our ‘assurance’ be?

Bloggledygook: "A Manifesto Against Islamism"

BDG adds: Bravo. We shoud all add our names along with these brave defenders of freedom and egalitarianism. Note that his is not a statement against Islam or Muslims, but against the forces that are ammassing against expression and the right of people worldwide to make up their own minds.

Red Hot Cuppa Politics: "Jyllands-Posten Anti-Jihadi Manifesto"

Virtually Shocking: "Anti-Islamist Manifesto"

Middle Earth Journal: "Racheting Up the Holy War"

MEJ adds: If you don’t think that the Right wingnutterati is itching for an open declaration of holy war between the West and Islam, check out Michelle Malkin’s gleeful celebration of "A Manifesto Against Islamism." This short document by a dozen so-called "intellectuals" takes the rhetoric out of the closet and decides to openly declare that the problem isn’t with a number of radical, violent extremists, but with the entire concept of their religion and society.

Spirit of Entebbe: "Together facing the new Totalitarianism"

SoE adds: SoE supports this manifesto, published in today’s edition of Jyllands-Posten (although we do not agree with every single sentence).

Drinking From Home: "Manifesto against totalitarianism"

DFR adds: Damn right. Appeasers, take your "I support freedom of expression BUT…" and shove it.

Tman In Tennessee: "Via Jeff Goldstein at Protein Wisdom: A Manifesto Against Islamic Totalitarianism"

Tman adds: Because you can’t have one without the other…..sign me up for the firing line if the folks on the following list go down….

Bibelen: "Manifesto: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

The Daily Brief: "A Manifesto Against Religious Totalitarianism"

TDB adds: Sign me up. This war truly is creating strange allies. If you had told me last year that Michelle Malkin was promoting a “manifesto” calling for “secular values for all” I would have asked you what you were smoking.

Moonbat Society: "Here here!"

Pushmedia1: "All right then, a manifesto"

Hillbilly White Trash: "Manifesto Against Islamism"

Anna Lyttiger: "Rushdie: Islamismen er en global trussel"

A Newer World: "MANIFESTO: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

Mr Eugenides: "The Jyllands-Posten cartoons: A manifesto against Islamism"

E-Rooster Blog: "MANIFESTO: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

SoDamnCool.Com: "Manifesto Against Islamic Totalitarianism"

SDCC adds: Anyone brave enough to be in the shoes of one of those 12 signatories please stand up.

Exit Zero: "A manifesto published by Jyllands Posten"

EZ adds: I’m in too..

Echo-Actu: "Un manifeste contre le "totalitarisme" religieux"

Pia Causa: "MANIFESTO: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

La Benevolencia del Cervecero: "Manifiesto contra el totalitarismo islámico" (HAS SPANISH TRANSLATION)

Dodgeblogium: "We agree with this Manifesto"

Correspondent in Parijs: "Ayaan Hirsi Ali ondertekent manifest in Charlie Hebdo" (HAS DUTCH TRANSLATION)

The Rule of Reason: "A weak-kneed manifesto against Islam"

ROR adds: This manifesto reads a lot like a liberal attempting to talk tough.

Nadz Online: "About Time, Too"

Nadz adds: This is a great step, but I’m surprised it hasn’t happened sooner. These people are all brave and honest thinkers, but also mostly ones who already have fatwas on them - I just wish that more leaders and prominent thinkers would add their names to the list and make a stand against all forms of tyranny.

Paul From Minneapolis: "“Death before dhimmitude.”"

Paul adds: That’s expressed in a comment below this post, one of hundreds covering the new intellectuals’ Manifesto against Islamism. They’re mostly Muslim intellectuals, or at least semi-Muslim, so that’s good. The Manifesto’s not long yet it’s intellectually complex: there are turns of phrase that could point back at the US, for instance. But essentially, it’s all about declaring where the great enemy of the morally serious is found these days.

Hmmh…: "Answer to Mr. Paul Belien"

Hmmh adds: But, frankly, as far as I can tell, the more religious a society appears - the more violent it is. Maybe this can be proven scientifically? I have no doubt that the creation of secular law has been an essential development in our civilization.

Middle Earth Journal: "The Manifesto Against The New Islamic Christian Totalitarianism"

MEJ adds: I am not a religious person and consider all of the Abramhamic religions to be dangerous nonsense, Islamic, Christian and Jewish. The threat to me here in the United States is not Islam but the wingnuts on the Religious Right. The threat to me here in the United States is not Islamic Mullahs in charge of Iran but five Catholic Mullahs having control of the Supreme court of the United States. Religion, all religion, is by it’s very nature totalitarian when it has political power. That is why the founding fathers, most of whom were Not Christian, insisted upon separation of church and state. They had come to this country to escape the Christian Totalitarianism of Europe. So it’s not Islam that threatens me it’s the equally totalitarian fundamentalist Christians. Keep in mind the source of that totalitarianism is the same in both cases, Abrahamic Law.

Davids Medienkritik: "Together Facing the New Totalitarianism"

David adds: Sign us on!

Daniel in Brookline: "A Muslim Manifesto Against Islamist Extremism"

Daniel adds: Bravo! This sort of thing has been needed for a long time. Let’s hope it gathers speed, momentum, and signatures. […] Now, what will the reaction be from the Muslim world at large?

The Glittering Eye: "The right to be stupid"

TGE adds: My, there’s quite a little flurry of posting about the anti-jihad manifesto published in a French journal and signed by a number of prominent writers, journalists, and intellectuals. It’s not a manifesto I’d sign. Put me down on the same side as The Brussels Journal.

Kipaji: "Manifesto"

Kipaji adds: I’d take slight issue with one or two parts of this, but the gist of the message is dead on. We’re bending over backwards to appease and accomodate Muslims, offering them respect and tolerance when too often they offer none in return, believing themselves to be superior and that all other cultures and societies should kowtow to them. Tolerance of intolerant cultures and people, in the name of political correctness, socialism, multiculturalism or anti-Americanism is no virture; cultural relativism is not enlightment. It’s the sign of a sick society that won’t stand up for itself and assert its *own* values or respect its own rights and freedoms; that exercises double-standards between different faiths or groups, that allows one to (literally) get away with murder while holding another to the most exacting, impossible standards.

The Belmont Club: "Nor knew the force o’ powder"

Belmont adds: The intellectual gauntlet has been flung full in the face of Islamism by an unlikely group which includes Somalian woman, Bangladeshis, exiled Iranians, Lebanese, fugitive British writers of subcontinental origin and an assortment of individuals with a vague left-wing background, none of whom would have been granted admittance to a London gentleman’s club in the 19th century. And their manifesto has been printed, not in the New York Times, Le Monde or the Times of London, but of all places, in a provincial Danish newspaper of no particular fame.

Winds of Change: "Freedom Manifesto"

WoC adds: Orthodoxy is being challenged by a few brave people in Europe — the orthodoxy of political multiculturalism and the orthodoxy of totalitarianism are being challenged. That no government in the West unreservedly supports this simple manifesto of freedom is the sign of our times. I wish these brave men and women — who face death threats for insisting on liberty — the very best success.

Common Folk using Common Sense: "This Needs To Be Read"

CFUCS adds: I, like the Blue Star Chronicles and Stop The ACLU, might have some small differences of opinion with every word of this document. Like Beth I believe that we are in the midst of a clash of civilizations, and that Islamists desire to dominate the world and will destroy the rest of us to do so. But for the most part I stand behind what is said in this document. Islamism is a global threat, akin to Fascism, Nazism, Stalinism, and Communism. The difference here is the absolute joy Islamists derive from killing innocent people - much like the Nazis against the Jews, but this time with a much wider infidel victim pool. This struggle will not be won by arms, but in the ideological field. That said, we must be prepared to use whatever arms are necessary, whenever they are necessary, and without guilt, in order to buy us enough time to work on our ideologies. […] But, fellow bloggers, take these words and put them on your blog. Get this word out. Make the Apologists Media be forced to take notice. And support Denmark.

Cantor: "’SAMMENHOLD’: SOLIDARIETA’ per il MANIFESTO sul JYLLANDS POSTEN" (HAS ITALIAN TRANSLATION)

The Purple Onion: "MANIFESTO: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

Purple Onion adds: I also want to add my signature to this manifesto by publishing it here!

Age of Treason: "Opposing Islamic Totalitarianism"

Tanstaafl adds: A fine sentiment that I agree with, but the "ism" hairsplitting is weak. "Nazism" is redundant except as a crutch for citing "Stalinism" rather than "Marxism" or at least "socialism". You’re taking a bold public stand here, don’t be mealy mouthed about the roots of totalitarianism. Consult Hayek. The explicit rejection of "cultural relativism" (tee hee another "ism") is sure to drive some of the misguided traitors in our midst even deeper into the arms of their Islamofacist comrades. It’s long past time to pick sides. You can recognize that cultural relativism is dangerous piffle, or you may as well get sized for your burka now. The enemy has always been the ideology of jihad and Sharia. The rest of Islam is perfectly tolerable. Unfortunately Islam cannot be taken ala carte. The Koran is the infallible word of Allah. His Prophet is the perfect example of a man who waged jihad and imposed Sharia. Reject jihad and you are not a Muslim. Civilized people can fantasize all they want about reforming Islam. The best we can do is stand by our values (like freedom of expression) and help as many people stop drinking the Islamist kool-aid as possible. That will be difficult enough because Muslims are serious, deadly serious, about apostasy.

The Left End of the Dial: "So now we’re presented with a manifesto against ‘Islamism’"

James adds: "You can read it in all its glory at Jyllands Posten, under the title of MANIFESTO: Together facing the new totalitarianism. The big name among the dozen signatories is Salman Rushdie. My initial take is that there is something bass-ackwards about the assumptions made by the manifesto’s authors. I’m probably not alone. Maybe a start would be to come up with a working definition of "Islamism" - though in doing so we’re likely to find it to be a much more diverse paradigm than the manifesto’s signatories would have us believe. It would also be useful to step back and look at the critique of religion from a historical context. One might be interested to find plenty of secular "liberals" in Europe whose views of the Jews were strikingly similar to the view of Muslims promoted in the anti-Islamist manifest."

The Uncooperative Blogger: "Islamism is the New Totalitarianism"

Brian adds: You are darn right it is! This is the danger of Islam, it is designed to force their religious lifestyle on the world. It is oppressive, and has no use for freedoms. We must fight its spread with every tool at our disposal. In this country we can cut it zero slack when it tries to stifle the voices of opposition in this country. We cannot let them infuse our laws with Sharia law under any guise. We have to tolerate their existence, just like every other religion, but that’s all we have to do. Islam creates a culture, and is designed to run a Nation of people, this we must reject at all costs.

Minipundit: "The 1939 Fetish"

MP adds: Secondly, even if al-Qaeda were driven by some profound ideology, it wouldn’t pose 1% of the threat Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union did. Germany’s and Russia’s army ranks numbered in the millions, and they had a large populace backing them, as well as, in Russia’s case, nukes. They were openly aggressive, and committed numerous genocides. al-Qaeda, on the other hand, is a ragtag team of semi-competent European minorities, numbering in the mere thousands. To see an equivalency here is to be blind.

Windmills on the Hill: "Against the new totalitarianism"

WotH tilts this way: When it came to an informed discussion of the cartoons first published in Jyllands-Posten the Western media largely declined to publish or even accurately describe the cartoons. In the words of Globe & Mail publisher Edward Greenspon the cartoons were "gratuitous and unnecessarily provocative", a characterization which was transparently false to anyone who had actually taken the time to view them(some of them may be but not all of them). By characterizing all of the cartoons in such a manner the Globe & Mail and other media outlets have not only prevented an informed debate about the issue of censorship they have contributed to that censorship. For the only people being provoked in this case were those who threatened violence over the cartoons in the first place.

Gypsy Scholar: "Manifesto: Together facing the new totalitarianism"

GS adds: In my view, however, if we agree that we should curtail our free expression to avoid giving ‘offense to Islam,’ then we are rejecting one of our most important traditions and effectively submitting ourselves as dhimmis to Islamic sharia. I consider that submission a grave error. I prefer to stand with Rushdie and the eleven others. I urge others to do so as well.