Christopher Hitchens vents his anger and frustration with Yale University Press over their decision to publish a book about the Jyllands-Posten Mohammed cartoons flap–without including the cartoons in question! The Cartoons that Shook the World, by Brandeis Univ. professor Jytte Klausen, will hit bookshelves in late November, and will (presumably) include illuminating detail on the history of the cartoons, the outrage fomented by Islamic extremists, and its deadly fallout. But. No. Cartoons.
Hitchens is correct that the decision by the YUP is nothing more than abject capitulation to threats of violence–to terrorism, if you will. The Western world, and especially those who hold free expression as a sacred right, need to draw a line in the sand and say “No further.” If Muslims find images of Mohammed blasphemous, they should refrain from producing such images. But they cannot be allowed to intimidate non-Muslims (or even moderate Muslims) who do not share their sensibilities on this issue.
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