Humiliated in Cairo

As, on 9/11, an Egyptian mob storm the US Embassy on 9/11 in Cairo “offended” by a film about Islam made in America, America’s diplomats cringe and kowtow, and jettison the principle of free speech in favor of religious privilege:

The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others.

Good Grief.

Back at the time of the Danish cartoon saga, an article published in the embattled Jyllands-Posten included this phrase : “Ytringsfrihed er ytringsfrihed er ytringsfrihed. Der er intet men.” The translation? “Free speech is free speech is free speech. There is no but.”

No there is not.

But don’t tell the US Embassy in Cairo.

What a disgrace,

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6 Responses to Humiliated in Cairo

  1. John says:

    “What a disgrace,”

    Agreed. Note that they “condemn” the speech but only “reject” the rioters’ actions, which violate both free speech and property rights. I guess those are not as important as hurt feelings.

  2. NegativLand says:

    @EmbassyCairo:
    Nonsense. Having *no* respect for religious beliefs — beyond the most basic negative-liberty assertion that “I respect your right to *have* religious beliefs” — is a cornerstone of American democracy.

  3. D says:

    This was issued by an embassy under eeige. There are times when, you know, diplomatic language carries the day.

  4. Polichinello says:

    There are times when, you know, diplomatic language carries the day.

    Well, not that day.

    Anyhow, it’s not like the word would get out. “Hey, Achmed, look! They’ve tweeted their condemnation of the movie, oh, and they reject our actions. I guess we go home now and re-think our lives.”

  5. John B says:

    It seems to me that the people at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo engaged in free speech when they issued the statement.

    Jettisoning free speech would be dropping off the guy who made the offensive movie in the middle of Tahrir square.

    Issuing a statement of condemnation is just more…free speech.

  6. Polichinello says:

    The problem, John, is that the U.S. Embassy is an official arm of the government. It has no place issuing moral opinions about others’ speech. If it wants to protect the feelings of Muslims, then we all await official condemnation of Bill Maher and others who continually step on Christian beliefs? No? Why not? Are Christians not rioting fiercely enough? Not burning enough embassies? Maybe they should consider it.

    Also, it seems the government had no problem fingering the filmmaker, and they’re apparently looking into finding parole violations. Too, they’ve asked Youtube to (wink, wink) see if the film violates their terms.

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