Good try, Lawrence, but no cigar. As American Westerners, you and I have beheaded 30,000+ innocent Muslims in Iraq and 6,000 to 10,000 in Afghanistan. The blood of innocents drips from our hands. Don't feel so magnanimous in your new-found liberalism. Mike Geary Memphis ----- Original Message ----- From: Lawrence Helm To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 11:47 PM Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Defending Offense. Being Western rather than Muslim, Mike, I have no need to behead you. Lawrence ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mike Geary Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 9:38 PM To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [lit-ideas] Defending Offense. I like very much and have great respect for Judy Evans and David Savory, but I insist on my right to be offensive. I agree with much that they argue, but I agree more that I have the right as an individual human being to speak my mind whether it offends others or not. Or even to speak my mind hoping to offend others. I know of no right not to be offended. This rightwing, militaristic, devil-take-the-hindmost, coin-op culture offends me from dawn to dusk. I accept that and go about my business. Every word out of George Bush's mouth is an offensive insult to any intelligent human being. And I promise you, if this war against the Muslims being waged by Bush were not ongoing, none of this cartoon business would be happening. Not one Muslim would be in the streets were we not in Iraq. So this too can be laid at the foot of our beloved Security Hero George "Stasi" Bush. Mike Geary Memphis