France shuts embassies & schools over new cartoon

[summer]

worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/19/13958548-france-shutters-embassies-schools-over-new-muhammad-cartoon?lite

France has temporarily closed its embassies and schools in 20 countries after a satirical magazine in Paris published insulting cartoons of the Muslim prophet Muhammad, a move it fears will add "fuel to the fire"of global tensions over an anti-Islam film.

"We have indeed decided as a precautionary measure to close our premises, embassies, consulates, cultural centers and schools," a Foreign Ministry spokesman told Reuters.

Riot police were also sent to the offices of the weekly magazine, Charlie Hebdo.

The publication came amid widespread outrage over a crude, provocative film, made by anti-Islam campaigners in California, that mocked the Prophet and ignited days of deadly protests including an attack in Libya in which U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens was killed.

The front page cartoon had the figure in a wheelchair saying "You mustn't mock'' under the headline "Untouchable 2'', a reference to a hugely popular French movie about a paralyzed rich white man and his black assistant.

Charlie Hebdo's Paris offices were fire bombed last November after it published a mocking caricature of Muhammad.

Many Muslims consider any representation of Allah or the Prophet Mohammad offensive.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius criticized the magazine's move.

"Is it relevant and intelligent in this environment to add fuel to the fire? The answer is no,'' Fabius told France Info radio. "I'm very worried... and when I saw this I immediately issued instructions for special security precautions to be taken in all the countries where it could be a problem.''

The government has called for restraint over the cartoons, restating the principles of free speech in France and urging those shocked by the images to take action through the courts.

Muslim leaders in France, which has Europe's largest Muslim population, have appealed for calm.

Salafist Muslims in Paris has already called for a protest this Saturday at Trocadero, near the Eiffel Tower, against the California-made film.

A small group of about 100 were prevented by riot police from approaching the US Embassy in the center of Paris last Saturday.

French authorities have refused to authorize any demonstration.

French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said the authorities had rejected a request to hold a march.

"There is no reason for us to allow conflicts that do not concern France to enter our country,'' Ayrault told RTL radio.

[ChillyMcFreeze]

Sept 19, 2012 6:20:38 GMT -5 summer said:

"Is it relevant and intelligent in this environment to add fuel to the fire? The answer is no,'' Fabius told France Info radio."

Word. Satire is one thing, and being an obnoxious prick face is another. This is like going into the woods and throwing shit at the bears and then acting surprised when one tries to eat you. I'm not down with killing people over a cartoon, but this is the reality we're facing. So stop being a dick face and respect that you'll just never agree with some people's religion.

[copzgirl1171]

I just heard about this.

People infuriate me. Lives have been lost and they think running this is a good idea. Bastards.

[pamela]

The government has called for restraint over the cartoons, restating the principles of free speech in France and urging those shocked by the images to take action through the courts.

Exactly what action should they take through the courts?

[doctorwho]

Ditto Moxie. There's no good or bad time to refuse to capitulate to theocracy. It needs to be done all the time.

[ttt]

I would have more respect for the freedom of speech argument if these cartoons actually had some kind of point besides "F you, Muslims! LOLZ!"

[ChillyMcFreeze]

Sept 19, 2012 10:14:38 GMT -5 ttt said:

I would have more respect for the freedom of speech argument if these cartoons actually had some kind of point besides "F you, Muslims! LOLZ!"

Exactly. I mentioned that satire is one thing (and political commentary is equally valid), but this is neither of those. This is being a doucheface because "everyone else is doing it." There's no message here, it isn't clever or poignant, and it's resulting in death.

I worship at the Church of Daniel Ellsberg (is this an obscure enough reference?), so I feel weird being on this side of the argument. But there's important journalism and smart satire, and then there's obnoxious drivel. And I don't value all of them equally.

[pamela]

Sept 19, 2012 10:14:38 GMT -5 ttt said:

I would have more respect for the freedom of speech argument if these cartoons actually had some kind of point besides "F you, Muslims! LOLZ!"

That is exactly the point - you being offended is not a reason for everyone else to have to tiptoe around you. It's just proving that they can continue to print what they want regardless of the completely unwarranted violence (which the violent ones should then be arrested and severely prosecuted for).

[ttt]

Sept 19, 2012 11:25:01 GMT -5 pamela said:

Sept 19, 2012 10:14:38 GMT -5 ttt said:

I would have more respect for the freedom of speech argument if these cartoons actually had some kind of point besides "F you, Muslims! LOLZ!"

That is exactly the point - you being offended is not a reason for everyone else to have to tiptoe around you. It's just proving that they can continue to print what they want regardless of the completely unwarranted violence (which the violent ones should then be arrested and severely prosecuted for).

The point is solely to offend people just because you can? I really can't respect that.

ETA: FWIW, I thought the "check it out, we can put dog poop on the Virgin Mary!" so-called art was the same way. Offending people just for the sake of offending people is stupid.

Intentionally provoking violence just because you can is even worse.

[Deleted]

It just truly makes me so furious that we have to go to such protective lengths because certain people can't handle their religion being mocked without resorting to violence. Its absurd.