But suddenly because it may be offensive to followers of Islam we have to be culturally aware & not risk offense; to the point where an anonymous complaint will take control of what is broadcast?

This is NOT an exercise in resisting gov't intrusion on free speech

As Hannah Arendt once observed: “Under conditions of terror, most people will comply but some people will not. ... Humanly speaking, no more is required, and no more can reasonably be asked, for this planet to remain a place fit for human habitation.”

There was no govt. intrusion on free speech implied, it was a small militant group using threats to get their way

next I suppose it won't be enough that they felt offended by satire, they'll want a show that espouses how great their faith is, & if it isn't shown then they'll threaten violence.

Btw by making a comment on "resisting govt. intrusion on free speech" sounds like you don't have a problem with non-govt. intrusion on free speech.... could be just my misinterpretation though.

Any intrusion on any sort of free speech should be resisted.

First... THAT'S not what I said... If individuals with a specific point to be made... e.g. a political cartoon... want to make their point then THAT is freedom of speech in practice...

THIS isn't that... This is no more than "National Na-Na-Boo-Boo Day"... THIS is a DELIBERATE and MALICIOUS effort to thumb noses and stick out tongues for no other reason than thumbing noses and sticking out tongues

Encouraging a "National Deliberately Offend a Group Day" is NOT an exercise in protecting free speech... It IS a childish, immature, juvenile, under-developed ego exercise in "Na-Na-Boo-Boo, Look what I did, I HOPE you're offended! Whatcha gonna do about it, huh, huh?"... It IS identical to a school-yard argument

. The only group that CAN infringe on your free speech is the gov't.

Ohhhh so anything not meant to make a specific point ISN'T freedom of speech, gee thanks for clearing that up. I wasn't aware that you were the sole arbiter of what does & doesn't constitute "free speech".

Actually, only some ( not all) would take offence at the proposed action. And the "some" shouldn't have control of what we can see hear & read.

You're not really going to try to defend that are you? There are death squads and their silenced victims in Central America that stand as testimony that you're wrong. The Catholic Church silenced heretics for centuries.

The entire purpose of the violence and threat of violence by some religious zealots is to silence any expression they don't like.

That SOME DOESN'T control what you see or hear... It is the BUSINESS OWNER who ACTUALLY OPERATES the business, radio, tv, newspaper, that makes that decision... And, it is ENTIRELY within their rights and control to make that decision... It is THEIR choice to print/air material based on what THEY think will be best for THEIR business... Why should THEY have their "right of free speech" infringed by having to print/air whatever YOU want to hear see even if THEY decide it will be bad for business...?

With this said & done, the cartooonist has proposed the "draw Mohammed day" as a way to thumb noses at those who would use violence & threats to attempt to get what they want. It's another form of free speech, and some people may choose to exercise their right to free speech by participating.

In response to an Islamic terrorist group threatening violence because of a South Park episode they said was insulting to Mohammed ( a threat which Comedy Central responded to by making cuts in the episode... way to show freedom of speech there, Comdey Central; make sure you dispose of your cojones in a proper bio waste receptacle) a Seattle cartoonist proposes "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day" take place May 20th. Here's the link:

And the cartoonist's proposal isn't a "defense of free speech" matter either (there are plenty of places that have and do say/print/air things others foind offensive. He can take his material to any one of those and get it printed/aired)

Oh, so you're saying free speech is allowed, but only atcertain venues. If it's at OTHER venues it isn't free speech?

The point is that free speech MAY be offensive to some people, but that isn't a reason to curtail it.

But... unless he owns his own printing company/tv station... He is going to have to live with going to those who choose to print/air his stuff... Contrary to what you imply, there is no "right to have your free speech printed/aired by others who feel their business may suffer because of it"...

Businesses are not required to print/air your "free speech" just because you want them to... That is THEIR right to choose, not yours..

Whatever happened to maintaining the moral high ground and dignity?

No, but if it is going to be aired, an anonymous group[ shouldn't be able to prevent it with threats, that's the whole point.

A lot of what people will spew out is pointless but they have the right to spew it out.

As Voltire said "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

If you want to discuss strawman, take a look atyour own constant use of

This is no more than "National Na-Na-Boo-Boo Day"... THIS is a DELIBERATE and MALICIOUS effort to thumb noses and stick out tongues for no other reason than thumbing noses and sticking out tongues

to describe the proposed draw Mohammed day.

I'm pretty sure I've seen the episode in question. If it's the same one I saw then what on Earth is anybody anywhere getting their panties in a twist about ? Any images of Mohamed are censored as part of the story's plot

More importantly , why is a drawing such a crime ?