Syrians protesting the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad set fire to the Norwegian and Danish embassies in Damascus.
The cartoons have sparked outrage among Muslims across the world.
According to the BBC, the cartoons were first published in Denmark's Jyllands-Posten paper and have been reprinted in newspapers in France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands and Spain - supporting the right to free speech.
The papers are correct that they should have the right to publish the cartoons if they so desire. The publishers should expect complaints and even protests when they publish something readers find offensive. Burning embassies or any violent protest cannot be justified by the publication of something found offensive. The extremist's violent over-reaction is part of what we are fighting in the War Against Terror.
You can view the cartoons in question at RedState.
Whenever an embassy is burned, all nations should cut off relations with the nation where it happens and require everyone from that nation to go home. Reciprocity is a requirement in international relations, and a people who do not grant it have no right to international travel or trade.
Posted by: Walter E. Wallis | Sunday, February 05, 2006 at 07:26 AM