Editor,
Joachim Oberst should be ashamed at his attempt to "enlighten" us regarding freedom of speech with obscure references to pornography critics and tossing around overused and often misunderstood buzzwords such as fascism and anti-Semitism.
First, let's be clear that fascism places the nation and often race above the individual and condones forcible suppression of opposition. Thus, the cartoons and those who believe in the inalienable rights of individuals are not fascist - it's the people who use deadly force and instill fear to promote their religious beliefs on the world who are fascist.
Second, anti-Semitism distinctly refers only to the hatred of Jewish people and has nothing to do with Muslims or the Muslim faith, so let's not make inaccurate generalizations where they don't apply.
Let's now turn our attention to the matter at hand: freedom of speech and the violent opposition to our rights as free citizens. I believe that at its core, Islam is a peaceful religion and has been demonized by radical and violent sects which have biased public opinion. Any reasonable person, no matter what faith, would not merit a cartoon with pure unbridled violence.
They would however, find comfort in their faith and find peaceful ways to bring about a change in the perception of their religion. Radical militants are incapable of being reasoned with, and will continue their destructive path until the entire world is coerced into their utopia of terror.
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I, for one, hold my rights as an individual to live without oppression and fear above all else and loath anyone who cowers to fanatical threats.
Craig Jones
UNM alumnus
