Danish Cartoon Protests

Well, I am stunned at how far this has gone so quickly. So, some cartoons were published in Denmark, and it nearly seems like religious wars are brewing around the globe.

Ok, so as of today, thousands are rallying in Afghanistan to protest these Mohammed cartoons; Iran's ministers have been recalled from Denmark; a Danish embassy in Beirut is burned in an out-of-control protest; newspaper editors in Jordan were arrested for publishing the cartoons (one very twisted notion of 'freedom of speech,' ehhh); and radicals in Iraq are calling on supporters to kill Danish and non-Muslims in the Iraq. Denmark has also issued an earnest statement demanding their citizens leave Iran immediately. ...WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?

Ok, yes i understand completely that religions should be respected, but this is a severe response. The Muslim community (especially radical militants) are such a sensitive culture when it comes to religion. Yes, i understand that it is fundamental to their culture. This sensitivity isn't necessarily condemnable, it's just hard for Westerners (myself included) to absorb, understand, and empathize with such a religiously-founded culture. I think the Western world has already had their periods where religion has directed whole wars and countries' agendas....back in Europe up to the later Wars of Religion (and that was only based of different "versions" of the same religion). Now, Europe and America have settled into a culturally and religiously diverse acceptance. The Muslim world still is hot and ready to go, despite past religious conflicts. And of course, all the recent conflict and strife in the last 5 years isn't helping this cartoon situation (::understatement::). There is so much religious diversity within Western culture, yet very little in places like Iran, Iraq, and such.

Sure, I'd be mad about the cartoons if I were Muslim, but I just don't understand the violent reactions many have had.

Here, in London, there was a huge demonstration today outside of the Danish embassy. Signs were being paraded, glorifying Bin Laden and forecasting a new 9/11 for Europe...they passed on peacefully though. Still, how quickly it has spread... kind of scary that a few cartoons could do this. Makes you wonder.

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On another note, i reread two of Salinger's short stories today, "Down at the Dinghy" and "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" from his Nine Stories ...he's so good with conversation and nuance. His short stories are among my favorites, along with Borges and Hemingway. I mean, you can really feel the inflections and see the body movements of the people talking, without Salinger having to give you anything but pure dialogue. It's brilliant.

Also, everyone smokes so many cigarettes in his stories....and i guess, in general back in late 40's and 50's when he was writing. I mean, it's just incredible - In "Down at the Dinghy" the mom smokes two cigarettes in the story, and the vignette can't really last longer than 10 total minutes! Same for Franny and Zooey and Catcher in the Rye .... just intense chain-smoking.