One fact that merits some mention in this dreaded cartoon conflict, is which major newspapers have stood up for freedom of speech. One could also list those that has not (all major British and American, for one!), but I think many on the right are a bit surprised to see the strength with which major European media, often reviled for its leftist bent, are now standing up for freedom of speech.
The above is a facsmile of the frontpage of the major Spanish newspaper El Pais, printing a custom-made cartoon earlier published by the French newspaper Le Monde. Both these newspapers are in every way traditional big media, and are left-leaning. Le Monde, you will remember, has often been reviled by right-leaning bloggers in the anglosphere. It is a cartoon of, obviously, the prophet Mohammad, made up entirely of lines saying "I must not draw Mohammad" in French.
Credit where credit is due. I applaud these newspapers for standing up for freedom of speech when too many of our politicians and pundits go wobbly.
PS: If Muslims, let's say Saudi Arabia, should want to punish Spain for this, they will have their chance in the FIFA World Cup in Germany this summer. Saudi Arabia is in the same group as Spain. I predict the Spanish will give the Saudis a solid trashing; not that I have any ill will against Saudi players, but these teams should not be in the same league.
8:33:30 PM 
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