Tag Archives: islam

Danish Cartoonist Attacked

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Bookmark and Share Controversial Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard had to hide in his panic room with his 5 year old daughter Friday night as a man wielding an ax and knife intent on killing him broke into his home.

Kurt WestergaardWestergaard came to international attention over controversy with his political cartoon depiction of Muhammad wearing a bomb as a turban with a lit fuse.  Westergaard said he wanted his cartoon to say that some people exploited the prophet to legitimize terrorism. However, many in the Muslim world interpreted the drawing as depicting their prophet as a terrorist.

The depiction sparked an uproar among Muslims in early 2006 after newspapers reprinted the images months later as a matter of free speech.  The cartoon was first published by the Danish newspaper Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten in September 2005.

Since that depiction there have been numerous attempts and threats on his life from Muslim extremists and Danish police have arrested numerous individuals.  After three arrests in 2008, Westergaard had this to say:

Of course I fear for my life after the Danish Security and Intelligence Service informed me of the concrete plans of certain people to kill me. However, I have turned fear into anger and indignation. It has made me angry that a perfectly normal everyday activity which I used to do by the thousand was abused to set off such madness.

Police were alerted to the incident where they confronted the suspect having to shoot him in the leg and hand.  He appeared in court Saturday charged with attempted assassination of both the cartoonist and a police officer.  Authorities said he was a 28-year-old Somali who has legal residency in Denmark and lives in Sjaelland, near Copenhagenuthorities said he was a 28-year-old Somali who has legal residency in Denmark and lives in Sjaelland, near Copenhagen but would not identify the subject.  Some reports claim he has ties with an Al-Qaeda affiliated group.

Choice Quotes

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Captain Britain and MI13 #10

Dr. Doom – A non-aggression treaty.  What do I stand to gain?

Dracula – Your majesty, now that you have regained your kingdom… you would wish to see my people policed, ruled, would you not?  Kept away from your borders?  There is also the matter of Islam.  It will close the gap with the west, on terms of science and super-powered individuals.  Latveria stands on that border, as did my own land.  The realm I would create would do without it.  Serve as a bulwark against it.

Dr. Doom – Spare me your racism, “Count.”  I find it ridiculous in human leaders, because it is an assumption.  But in an artifact, a mystical viral package such as yourself… it’s almost funny.

New Warriors #20

Donyell – An ego too fragile to seek another way to serve others.  A true leader would have found another way.

Dwayne – “Serve”?  People are sheep.  Donyell.  They want to be lef, they want to be told what to do.  With free will comes the burden of responsibility.  And that is a consequence most people cannot handle!

Donyell – You… never gave them a ch-choice… you took away their heroes… their freedom… Created an environment where fear rules as much as any dictator.

Marvel’s Secret Invasion and the Middle East

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With use of words like jihad and schism between the Skrulls in their religious beliefs it has been clear Marvel’s Secret Invasion cross over has drawn inspiration from Islam and the current war on terror with Al-Qaeda.  Wizard Magazine has an article with Brian Michael Bendis on the latest issue of Secret Invasion #7 and Bendis touches on this point:

And as a final beat, we see Jarvis turning into the Skrull with the baby.
BENDIS: Now we’re getting that little bit of dialogue from Jarvis that sets up something that’s been beaten into our head in America. Why can’t we win the Middle East? Why can’t we reach them? And they always say it’s because we don’t think like them. We just don’t get it. There’s another thought process going on here that’s so foreign to us. That’s fascinating to me. So, not to say I’m making a statement about the Middle East peace process, but I am fascinated that there’d be such a cultural divide that the war cannot be won.

So, I kind of applied it here a little bit. And we also get the Jarvis turning into a Skrull face with the baby. And now I can say that the baby was a big red herring. We literally at one point had the baby’s green eyes staring at the reader in New Avengers. That was never the case, but for the purpose of the story it made you doubt everyone and everything. Even the baby could have been a Skrull. And I will now admit that I laughed when I saw the way Leinil drew the baby turning and looking at the camera. When I saw it drawn, it was so f–king hilarious to me. It’s like the end of “the Omen.” [hums “Omen” theme] I was just on the floor. It just felt so over-the-top.

Once the series has concluded we’ll be covering a longer entry looking at these parallels and what the writers are saying about the current state of global politics.

Choice Quotes

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The Age of the Sentry #1 – In this retro series, an attempt is made to make the comic feel like it’s from the 50’s.  I guess those comics were filled with sexist remarks.

Scout – ‘Sides, everyone knows gals can’t keep a secret!

And also includes this awesome Public Service Announcement:

Sentry – Let’s be honest.  The opposite sex is tempting.  Nature made us that way.  But holding hands, even in movie theaters, can lead you teenagers into situations you’re simply not ready for.

Air #2

Mrs. Battacharya – I don’t know Beti.  When the maps are redrawn, people seem to get very short memories, na?

DC Universe: Decisions #1

Green Arrow – If I’m going to put my neck on the line for some politician, I’d just as soon it be one I can support — one I’m more simpatico with.

And

Reporter – Well Davis Brewster has been described by many of his detractors as quote: “A redical left-wingnut.”

Green Arrow – Great men always threaten the status quo.  A man who wants to change the country as much as Davis does is bound to get called a few bad names.

Reporter – Excuse me, but was that just an official endorsement of Davis Brewster for President?

Green Arrow – Now, wait a minute.  Don’t put words in my mouth.  I may admire the man, but —

Reporter – You heard it here first.  For the first time in this reporter’s memory, a major superhero has just expressed admiration, if not full support of a political candidate during an election.

And

Lois Lane – So I take it Superman won’t be endorsing a particular candidate this year?

Clark Kent – Not likely.  Superman needs to stay above such things.  Meanwhile lowly Clark Kent seems to be keeping mum on his politics as all objective journalists should.

Lois Lane – Come on.  Fess up, big guy.  Who’re you going to vote for this year?  This isn’t reporter Lois talking, this loving wife Lois talking.  You always know who I vote for.

Clark Kent – Only because your stand on the issues never change.

Lois Lane – What can I say?  I’m a product of my upbringing.  I’m proudly for a strong military, small government, low taxes, and maximum individual freedom.

Clark Kent – And I’m proudly for the time-honored tradition of the secret ballot.

Lois Lane – For once I want to know if your vote is canceling out mine.  Please?

And

Perry White – North Korea will never discontinue their nuclear programs, despite any promises they make in the interim.

Young X-Men #6

Dust – I enjoy talking to you Mr. Pierce.  Your unbridled prejudice and hate, to say nothing of your tragic misunderstanding of Mohammed’s teachings…It reminds me of home.

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