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Two Gunman Killed Outside "Draw the Prophet" Event In Texas
cosm writes: ABC news reports that two armed gunman were shot and killed outside a "Draw the Prophet" event hosted in Garland Texas. From the article: "The event, sponsored by the American Freedom Defense Initiative, featured cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, and scheduled speakers included Dutch MP Geert Wilders, who has campaigned to have the Quran banned in the Netherlands. The winner of the contest was to receive $10,000." In light of the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attacks, the Lars Vilks Muhammad drawing controversies, and the American show South Park's satirical depiction of the state of Muhammad phobia in the US and elsewhere, is there an end in sight to the madness associated with the representation of this religious figure?
After the Paris "Charlie Hebdo" shooting, it was obvious that such an event, in Texas, would be well protected against similar attacks. Isn't that attack another proof that fanaticism == stupidity?
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It was the cops who shot the gunmen, so what the 2nd has to do with it, I can't fathom.
I don't care what your belief is, there is a right to turn up and speak your mind. The alternative is a cult - an unquestioned entity that demands belief based on no facts. If your only response to criticism is bullets then your argument is weak, and what you believe in is worth no more than some madmen willing to defend it with bombs, death and fear. Unscientific dross. State your point and then leave. If your point doesn't hold water then we're under no obligation. Killing us won't prove your point, it just reduces our number but not our resolve.
Do they deserve to have a voice? Yes.
Do they have the right to be heard? Yes.
Do their words have to be heard? No.
Say what you will but don't expect everyone to listen.
Well, when all you have to convince people that they should work for you is promises of eternal bliss after death without any kind of proof, you can't really expect nobel prize material to flock to you...
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
The others aren't just prepared to murder Wilders. They want to abolish democracy and replace it with sharia law, and kill the Untermenschen i.e. the unbelievers. I don't think fighting for freedom and democracy is as deplorable as fighting against it. Of course, there are many useful idiots who think they can live peacefully with islamists in the same country, believing that it we respect them, they'll respect us. Big mistake.
Well, when all you have to convince people that they should work for you is promises of eternal bliss after death without any kind of proof, you can't really expect nobel prize material to flock to you...
Not sure that's the only reason. Some of these people are just looking for something in which they can get deeply involved, out of the ordinary society stuff. They would actually love being enrolled in some armies to fight for a country, kill or be killed, but they just don't see themselves fighting for our western countries. So the actual reason may not really be Santa Claus / God / Mahomet / [...] and the "eternal bliss", but just the desire to fight for something in which they feel more free than within the regular organized and stricter western armies.
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Organizing a deliberately provocative event is a clear statement of support for free speech. A clear statement that allowing potentially offensive speech is essential to a free society. Other reactions to Charlie Hebdo - how we have to tread carefully and avoid offense - are utterly wrong.
Terrorists are barbarians, and are a direct threat to civilization. Apparently, the Texan reaction to barbarism is "bring it on".
More power to Texas. I hope other places find the courage to hold similar events.
Enjoy life! This is not a dress rehearsal.
If you set up an event specifically designed to insult/offend/antagonise a particular religion
The point of Muslim iconoclasm is that Mohammud is merely God's messenger and is not divine himself. The Muslims who are "offended" are the ones who don't actually understand why they have the rule in the first place. And why the rule doesn't apply to non-Muslims in the first place.
(Ironically much like Christian iconoclasm while it lasted.)
If you are so afraid that you need to carry a gun to work with you, then you may want to consider moving to a safer area.
What utter horseshit. what if you're poor and can't afford the safer area? You can't defend yourself because you work a menial job, or went into bankruptcy after a major medical condition. Guns are the great equalizer and everyone deserves to have them and defend themselves.
"...then you may want to consider moving to a safer area."
I wish that were so easy. I'm licensed to carry a concealed weapon and carry my pistol pretty much wherever I go. The only time I had to defend myself I was in a very safe area. It just so happens that was the same are where someone decided he was going to start beating the woman who was with him. He took exception to me witnessing the beating and calling the police and decided I would be the next target of his rage. Fortunately, as with most defensive uses of a handgun, I didn't have to fire a shot.
If needing to defend oneself was restricted to specific geographic areas then I would, as you suggest, simply move to a safer area. The problem is you don't know where something will happen and the only question will be whether or not you're prepared.