Freedom of Expression Or Incitement to Violence?

Update at end of article

I have been thinking a lot about the cartoon from Denmark that has apparently set off escalating violence. The argument largely seems to be between freedom of expression and sacrilege. I am leaning heavily towards the side of sacrilege, with a caveat.

In the U.S. we have what is called "freedom of speech." However, that is not a blank check for any expression. We also have what is know as "fighting words." This is when "speech" moves into an assaultive category which then prompts a violent reaction. It seems to me that the cartoon is in the arena of "fighting words."

Anwaar Hussain has an analysis that argues convincingly that the publication of the cartoon was no innocent mistake. Therefore, it seems possible that the publication was intended to affront and inflame. However it also seems to me that there are those who are using this issue to deliberately inflame, or to funnel frustrations toward or away from other targets of frustration.

On the other hand, I am painfully reminded of the Taliban's destruction of ancient Buddhist rock carvings in Afghanistan. Those religious icons had stood for ages. They were religious, historic, and intensely spiritual. Yet the Taliban, who represent a highly fundamentalist sect of Islam, had no compunction about sacrilege when it came to another religion. While there was outrage over the destruction, neither Buddhists nor anyone else started rioting, killing, or attacking mosques. This is not to say that those of other religions are any less likely to be inflamed to violence. The drumbeat of "Onward Christian Soldiers" seems all too appropriate at times. But Muslims stand at a confluence of global forces and have been painted as extreme. Being defined as a global threat can make a group feel threatened.

It seems to me that this is not a simple issue of either expression or tolerance. On one hand, there is a distinct possibility that the cartoon was published with the intention to inflame violence. It certainly seems likely that some are using this insult to fan the flames of rage. What is clear is that the violence serves no positive purpose for most people, though it may serve the interests of a few.

Information, Disinformation, Hot Air?
I am not able to make a determination on the credibility of the following information. However, if correct, it throws this entire subject into a different arena.

According to Russian Parliament member Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the release of the cartoons was a US psychological operation intended to frighten European nations into joining the US in an attack on Iran. He also states that the date has already been set for that attack - March 28, 2006 ( MosNews, 2/07/06). There is some support for such statements. Namely, that the cartoons were originally published in September 2005, and raised little stir. They were then released this month, and we know what the results have been. However, if this is a psyop, then it seems entirely possible that the violence is likewise being manipulated in the same manner.

Meanwhile Free Market News has published an article detailing possible Bilderberg involvement in the publication of the cartoons. This is a connection that Hussain (above) also discusses.

UPDATE
2/08/06 Total Information Analysis, CNN VIDEO: UN had foreknowledge of Beirut cartoon riot
This video makes clear there was foreknowldge of the Beirut riot over the Danish cartoons. The following quote is of particular interest:

"It is obvious these riots are planned in advance by handlers seeking a "clash of civilizations," between the secular/Christian West and the Islamic world -- these riots are not spontaneous events. Many media have been asking the sensible question, where does one suddenly get thousands of Denmark's flags in Lebanon? It is quote curious.

One Lebanese official told AP to look outside Lebanon for the answer:
"This is an organized attempt to take advantage of Muslim anger for purposes that do not serve the interests of Muslims and Lebanon, but those of others beyond the border," Lebanese Social Affairs Minister Nayla Mouawad, a Christian, said Sunday after riots in Beirut."