Afternoon... Already?

Well, the cartoon wars still dominate discussion on the right-side of the blogosphere, but it’s morphed somewhat into a discussion of the “true” nature of Islam. A lot of folks I respect have thrown in the towel and have begun writing that the “conflict of civilizations” has, indeed, already begun. Two people I link quite frequently have written in the “inevitable” vein: Lex and Dr. Sanity. My jury is still out. I’m encouraged by the fact that some moderate Muslims are beginning to speak out against the current insanity, although their numbers are still WAY too low to generate that “warm and fuzzy” feeling. Lots of links to moderate Muslim reactions over at INDC, if you’re interested. (Don’t let the sarcasm fool ya!) And if you want more on this subject, just go to memeorandum and pick a link…there are MANY.

When I first posted on the Mohammed cartoon flap last week I noted the Left was strangely silent on the issue. Now that Muslims are rioting, embassies are being torched, and Islamic fundamentalist imams are calling for retribution of the scariest sort, the Left has found its voice. Not much of a voice, still, at this point, but at least there are some Lefties coming out of the closet. One such is Anatole Kaletsky, who, in a Times Online Op-ed (“All right, I insulted Americans – but they are not planning to behead me”) essentially opines that Islamic fundamentalists are calling for our submission, and contrasts those calls for acquiescence with the basic precepts of western liberalism. Here’s a graf:

This brings me to the third and most important distinction that Americans seem to understand much better than we in Europe. This is the distinction between religion and other beliefs. Why should religions be entitled to legal protection from “insults” and “attacks”? Would anyone suggest that communists and fascists or, for that matter, Tories and social democrats, should be protected from insults? Yet the first two of these movements were all-embracing secular religions and their believers, who numbered in the hundreds of millions, believed in them every bit as passionately as Christians, Jews and Muslims believe in their religions.

His screed is worth a read. It’s short and to the point, as well.

I’m still working on my morning coffee although the sun is well over the yardarm as I write. Why? Because I can! Actually, I had another episode of personality-identification with one of my minor heroes, Dave Attell of Comedy Central’s “Insomniac.” Dave is my kinda guy! Wildy funny, irreverent, drinks a lot, and is more than mildly curious. Ever watch him? Aside from laughing your @$$ off, you’ll learn more than a little bit, too. Recommended. (PS: I don’t drink a LOT, but I sure do love great bars! And I’ve been in literally thousands, world-wide. No brag, just fact.)

And the flipping crawl is back; my ‘net connection today is slow-Slow-SLOW. No internet radio for the time being, and this really pisses me off! I’ve become addicted to Radio Paradise. Withdrawal is a beeyotch. I suppose there are worse things in life, but don’t get me started. I’m doing my level best to present myself as an optimist here, and that’s somewhat contradictory to my…ahem…true nature. Full disclosure, and all that.