Well, Pam Geller got her wish:
One thing we don't hear much about from the proponents of our "Constitutional rights" is the responsibility that goes with those rights. I mean, that's part of the deal, right? You exercise your right to free speech, but you also undertake to exercise that right in a responsible manner. After all, we live in a society in which everyone, at least theoretically, is equal and is treated fairly. The only way to make that work is for us to exercise some restraint. It's also known as "common courtesy."
What we've been seeing more and more in recent years is the demand that people be allowed to exercise their rights with no restraints: want to take your AK-47 to Chipotle? Well, that's your right. If it makes other patrons uneasy or concerned about their safety, well, that's their problem. Want to assert your right to religious freedom by refusing to offer to gay couples the same services you offer to anyone else, no questions asked? Well, that's your right. If the gay couple is hurt and insulted, well, that's their problem. Want to engage in inflammatory speech vilifying a group you don't approve of? Well, that's your right. If someone takes forceful exception to your words, that's not your fault.
It's really an infantile take on citizenship.
So, Pam Geller (who's a real piece of work -- a couple of her more outrageous escapades are noted in the article) wants to hold a "free speech" event deliberately designed to offend and insult Muslims? Well, that's her right.
And who's to blame if someone gets shot?
Pam Geller.
But you won't hear that from her -- she doesn't seem to be real big on taking responsibility.
Texas police shot dead two gunmen who opened fire on Sunday outside an exhibit of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad that was organized by an anti-Islamic group and billed as a free-speech event. . . .
The exhibit was organized by Pamela Geller, president of the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI). Her organization, which is described by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group, has sponsored anti-Islamic advertising campaigns in transit systems across the country.
Organizers of the “Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest” said the event was to promote freedom of expression. They offered a $10,000 prize for the best artwork or cartoon depicting the Prophet, as well as a $2,500 “People’s Choice Award.”
Depictions of the Prophet Mohammad are viewed as offensive in Islam, and Western art that portrays the Prophet has sometimes angered Muslims and provoked threats and attacks from radicals.
One thing we don't hear much about from the proponents of our "Constitutional rights" is the responsibility that goes with those rights. I mean, that's part of the deal, right? You exercise your right to free speech, but you also undertake to exercise that right in a responsible manner. After all, we live in a society in which everyone, at least theoretically, is equal and is treated fairly. The only way to make that work is for us to exercise some restraint. It's also known as "common courtesy."
What we've been seeing more and more in recent years is the demand that people be allowed to exercise their rights with no restraints: want to take your AK-47 to Chipotle? Well, that's your right. If it makes other patrons uneasy or concerned about their safety, well, that's their problem. Want to assert your right to religious freedom by refusing to offer to gay couples the same services you offer to anyone else, no questions asked? Well, that's your right. If the gay couple is hurt and insulted, well, that's their problem. Want to engage in inflammatory speech vilifying a group you don't approve of? Well, that's your right. If someone takes forceful exception to your words, that's not your fault.
It's really an infantile take on citizenship.
So, Pam Geller (who's a real piece of work -- a couple of her more outrageous escapades are noted in the article) wants to hold a "free speech" event deliberately designed to offend and insult Muslims? Well, that's her right.
And who's to blame if someone gets shot?
Pam Geller.
But you won't hear that from her -- she doesn't seem to be real big on taking responsibility.
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