Muhammad: The "Banned" Images Blog Free Speech at Risk

“How the Irish [Who] Saved Civilization” Returned to Medievalism

In a further blow to free speech, it is now a crime in Ireland to criticize religion. The country's new law describes blasphemy as “publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion, with some defences permitted,” with a fine of up to about $35,000. Noting that the law is an attempt to appease rabid Muslims, one commentator said: "My own personal theory is that it actually had to do with the Danish cartoon controversy of about four years ago," he says. "That there was a fear that we might get a Danish cartoon-style controversy in Ireland — that some newspaper might publish something that Muslims found highly offensive — and it might have repercussions for Irish trade in the Muslim world." http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122225249

Women under Islam

A first-hand report by a remarkably courageous woman -- Wafa Sultan -- on growing up under Islam. (Where is the feminist outcry?)

Raised in Syria, Wafa Sultan suffered under Sharia law. The author of A God Who Hates, she sits down with Bill Whittle to talk oppression, freedom, and the creep of Sharia across the globe. Watch and comment here: http://pjtv.com/v/3192

The World According to Islam

In three consecutive days in the NYT, reports on the growing censorship and oppression in Iran. The Times, of course, does not blame Islam (let alone the union of faith and force), but rather the Iranian regime -- a regime (inspired by Islam) that is shutting down opposition publications and websites, that has arrested as many as 20,000 people, that just jailed a prominent filmmaker (along with his wife, daughter, and 15 guests he was hosting at this house).  Apparently, some political prisoners are being released -- because the theocrats are running out of jail space.

www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/world/middleeast/02iran.html?scp=1&sq=iranian authorities close 2 opposition&st=cse

www.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/world/middleeast/03iran.html?scp=1&sq=iran arrests filmmaker&st=cse

www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/world/middleeast/04iran.html?scp=1&sq=6 more iranian activists&st=cse