Muslim Cartoons at the University of California

The AP reports that a student panel “discussion” sponsored by the College Republicans and the United American Committee at the University of California, Irvine, got into some rough going and some heated verbal exchanges.

I put “discussion” in quotes because based upon the article and feedback from some who attended, it sounded more like an evening of Islam Bashing than anything else. The AP says that things got off to a rocky start when “the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, founder of the conservative Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny, said that Islam was an ‘evil religion’ and that all Muslims hate America.”

Yeah, I can see how that might torpedo any ideas related to a celebration of tolerance and brotherhood at the meeting.

I have my problems with Islam, as I do all religions, and I haven’t made any secret of the fact that I found the deadly protests related to a bunch of cartoons ignorant, barbaric and unworthy of a modern society, BUT I don’t think it’s a good idea to wave a red flag in a bull’s face for no other reason than getting the bull upset either.

There are limits. Feel free to display cartoons of The Prophet if you have a legitimate reason for doing so. I don’t consider doing it because the Muslims won’t like it a legitimate reason. If you think it is, then why don’t we take a little trip over to Harlem where you can exercise your freedom of speech by calling everyone the N-word simply because you know it upsets people.

Tolerance works both ways and I guarantee you that statements like “all Muslims hate America” are derived from prejudice not knowledge. I know for a fact there’s at least one Muslim guy down in Hoboken that’s neutral toward America, so there.

Sorry about that, but I couldn’t resist. Seriously, as for the folks that organized this session for the express purpose of bashing Muslims, WTF is wrong with you people?