It's time to fight back against death threats by Islamic extremists

[darrels joy]

It's time to fight back against death threats by Islamic extremists

A federal law is needed to cover threats against free-speech rights. Across media and geographies, Islamic extremists are increasingly using intimidation to stifle free expression.

By Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Daniel Huff
September 27, 2010
Earlier this year, after Comedy Central altered an episode of "South Park" that had prompted threats because of the way it depicted Islam's prophet Muhammad, Seattle cartoonist Molly Norris proposed an "Everybody Draw Muhammad Day." The idea was, as she put it, to stand up for the 1st Amendment and "water down the pool of targets" for extremists.

The proposal got Norris targeted for assassination by radical Yemeni American cleric Anwar Awlaki, who has been linked to the attempted Christmas Day bombing of a Northwest Airlines flight and also to several of the 9/11 hijackers. This month, after warnings from the FBI, Norris went into hiding. The Seattle Weekly said that Norris was "moving, changing her name, and essentially wiping away her identity."

It's time for free-speech advocates to take a page from the abortion rights movement's playbook. In the 1990s, abortion providers faced the same sort of intimidation tactics and did not succumb. Instead, they lobbied for a federal law making it a crime to threaten people exercising reproductive rights and permitting victims to sue for damages. The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, or FACE, passed in 1994 by solid bipartisan margins. A similar act is needed to cover threats against free-speech rights.

A federal law would do two things. First, it would deter violent tactics, by focusing national attention on the problem and invoking the formidable enforcement apparatus of the federal government. Second, its civil damages provision would empower victims of intimidation to act as private attorneys general to defend their rights.

Such an act is overdue. Across media and geographies, Islamic extremists are increasingly using intimidation to stifle free expression.

In 2004, Theo van Gogh was butchered on an Amsterdam street in broad daylight for his film criticizing Islam's treatment of women. By 2006, it was reported that "dozens of people" across Europe were "in hiding or under police protection because of threats from Muslim extremists."

Some targets, including the coauthor of this Op-Ed, fled to the United States, where it seemed safer -- and so it is, for now. However, the stark truth is the United States was never immune and the situation is deteriorating.

In 1989, two American bookstores carrying Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses" were firebombed. Spooked major chains took it off display. And there have been many more threats that received less publicity. Few have heard, for example, about Oklahoma atheist Sabri Husibi, who received death threats after writing a 2009 article critical of his former faith. His aged mother in Syria was warned she would never see him again. "Clearly shaken," he requested the paper that published his article clarify that he is critical of all faiths.

These kinds of threats have had a formidable chilling effect. Mindful of the retaliation others faced, Yale University Press, the Met, the director of the disaster epic "2012" and countless others have decided to preemptively censor themselves.

The kind of legislation we propose is essential if we are to win the war of ideas against extremists, who use threats to drive the moderate message out of public discourse.

Existing state laws prohibiting intimidation are inadequate. On the criminal side, the heightened standard of proof deters prosecutors from investing scarce resources. Explicit grounds for a civil action do not always exist, and damages can be difficult to quantify. By contrast, the FACE Act, which provides the model for the proposed legislation, lets victims opt for preset damages.

The "South Park" incident neatly illustrates the benefits. On April 15, following the first of a two-part episode mocking Jesus, Buddha and Muhammad, RevolutionMuslim.com announced that "[w]e have to warn Matt and Trey that what they are doing is stupid and they will probably wind up like Theo Van Gogh." The "warning" included the names, photos and work address of "South Park's" creators, a graphic image of Van Gogh's mutilated body and pictures of other targets of Muslim extremists. Overlaying this was audio of Awlaki preaching about assassinating anyone who defamed the prophet. Panicked, Comedy Central heavily censored the episode.

This rather obvious threat could not be prosecuted. New York Police Department officials explained it did not rise to a crime. Were the FACE Act applicable here, a civil suit would have been available, and precedent suggests it would have been successful.

In 2002, on very similar facts, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a civil award to abortion doctors who sued using the FACE Act. A fringe antiabortion group, ACLA, had in various public venues displayed "Wanted"-style posters bearing the names, photos and addresses of doctors who performed abortions. Their names were also posted on the Internet alongside a list of wounded and murdered doctors whose names were struck through. The 9th Circuit held that ACLA's activities constituted true threats unprotected by the 1st Amendment.

If we leave our artists, activists and thinkers alone to weather the assault, they will succumb and we will all suffer the consequences.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a former member of the Dutch parliament, is a resident scholar with the American Enterprise Institute and the author of "Nomad: From Islam to America." Daniel Huff is director of the Middle East Forum's Legal Project.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/...72,print.story

[reconeil]

No need convincing me or any other sane Americans that: "Time to fight back against...".

The Big Trick is getting Ruling Elitists to: "CHANGE" their typical Apologetic, Cowering & Capitulating ways. American Rulers & DOJ perpetually kissin-up-to-Islam is absolutely disgusting.

Lately would surpise-the-hell-out-of-me if Christians, Jews or any other religions would similarly get all such Officialdom Preferences & Pandering, as Islam so typically receives here in America.

Why is that? Are both Radical & Fanatical Killers & even Moderate Muslims (actually: "Stealth Muslims", Moles or Plants) that much More Superior, Trustworthy, Wonderful, Caring & Peaceful than all other religions? YEAH, SURE?!?!?! "In your dreams"...about their typical deceits, beheadings & mass-murdering norms.

Neil

[smudger252]

In europe we've had the Salman Rushdie "fatywa" for the satanic verses, death threats and violent protests against a danish cartoonist for daring to draw allah.

it's time to hear from the so called "silent" moslem community the majority i'm pretty sure would condemn the extremists if our governments would take action to ban them.

Could I recommend Geert Wilders film "Fitna" as a warning against Islamic extremists and the dangers of the Q'uran

[reconeil]

It's not very likely that American & European leaders/rulers both typically fearful & coweringly pandering of Quite Fanatically Violent Islam, will ever hear: "So-called 'silent' moslem community" condemning any Radically Fanatical Islamic Extremists.

The so-called: "Silent moslems" (actually: "Stealth Muslims" or Timid Muslims) are just as timidly fearful of alienating Islam,...as are most American Leaders/Rulers. Maybe even More So? Historically,: "Stone Killers" just don't mess-around.

Besides, ever hear of any Baptists, Catholics, Presbyterians or Jews & other religions calling non-believers: "INFIDELS" & fair game for beheadings? Sharia Law deems such TOTALLY Justifiable Punishments,...just like any Mass-Murderings of: "INFIDELS" anywhere on earth.

Both Americans & Europeans better Wake Up SOON!!!
This latest or 8th of: "100 Year Islamic Holy Wars" and/or Jihads,...could actually be World Destroying!

Solely Americans, Russians & Chinese & their allies were ever concerned about M.A.D. or Mutual Assured Destruction. Islam never did, nor presently could ever care less about such.

If M.A.D. were initiated or started by Islam,...it would just be: "The Will of Allah". Plus, there's that: "72 Virgins" fairytale for fellas looking forward to.

Muslim Women,...eh? Tough s--t. Stay in you place & breed more virgins for rewading murderers,...as usual.

WOW!!!,...What a holy con-job! Wonder what Bill Maher thinks about such Muslims?

Neil

[JBozeman]

Sad to say but the whole deal is a fairy tale, (to free everybody else up, that is my belief, not opinion! just so the Gooberment Trolls will know) but a deadly one!

Between the increasing unrest with the America's Slobering love insanity over the big "O" and the ever increasing reality of the Capitol being replaced by Mosque, Hostilities on American soil are fast approaching and I believe, a given. We can count on it! Other than that, Bill Maher is just as much a lunatic as the Fairy Tale!

Take Care
Stay Safe
Watch your Back! You can be sure they all ready know who is resistant and where we are!

[1CAVCCO15MED]

"In newly independent America, there was a crazy quilt of state laws regarding religion. In Massachusetts, only Christians were allowed to hold public office, and Catholics were allowed to do so only after renouncing papal authority. In 1777, New York State's constitution banned Catholics from public office and would do so until 1806. In Maryland, Catholics had full rights but Jews did not. Delaware required an oath affirming the trinity. Several states, including Massachusetts and South Carolina had state supported churches.

In 1779, as Virginia's governor, Thomas Jefferson drafted legal equality for citizens of all religions---including atheists---in the state. 'But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty Gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.' The law 'was meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew, the Gentile, the Christian and the Mohammedan, the Hindoo and the infidel of every denomination."

Washington wrote to Touro Synegogue in Newport, Rhode Island on the freedom of religion we enjoyed, 'All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunity of citizenship.....For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens.'

James Madison also made a point that any believer of any religion should understand: 'The same authority that can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other Religions, may establish with the same ease any particular sect of Christianity to the exclusion of all other sects." He was writing from his memory of Baptist ministers being arrested in his native Virginia.

Madison perceived the nation in 1785, 'An asylum to the persecuted and oppressed of every nation and religion'

Later in his life, James Madison wrote a letter summarizing his views, 'And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one has done, in shewing that religion & Gov'twill both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.

In Massachusetts, a convent---coincidentally near the Bunker Hill Monument was burned to the ground by an anti Catholic mob incited by reports that young women were being abused in the convent school.

In Philadelphia anti-Catholic sentiment fueled the Bible Riots of 1844, in which houses were torched, two Catholic churches destroyed and at least 20 people were killed.

In October 1832, rouge militiamen massacred 17 church members, including children, at the Mormon settlement of Haun's Mill.

And let's not forget the 1925 lynching of Jew Leo Frank by an angry mob in Atlanta, Ga.

[JBozeman]

Originally Posted by 1CAVCCO15MED

"In newly independent America, there was a crazy quilt of state laws regarding religion. In Massachusetts, only Christians were allowed to hold public office, and Catholics were allowed to do so only after renouncing papal authority. In 1777, New York State's constitution banned Catholics from public office and would do so until 1806. In Maryland, Catholics had full rights but Jews did not. Delaware required an oath affirming the trinity. Several states, including Massachusetts and South Carolina had state supported churches.

In 1779, as Virginia's governor, Thomas Jefferson drafted legal equality for citizens of all religions---including atheists---in the state. 'But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty Gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.' The law 'was meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew, the Gentile, the Christian and the Mohammedan, the Hindoo and the infidel of every denomination."

Washington wrote to Touro Synegogue in Newport, Rhode Island on the freedom of religion we enjoyed, 'All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunity of citizenship.....For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens.'

James Madison also made a point that any believer of any religion should understand: 'The same authority that can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other Religions, may establish with the same ease any particular sect of Christianity to the exclusion of all other sects." He was writing from his memory of Baptist ministers being arrested in his native Virginia.

Madison perceived the nation in 1785, 'An asylum to the persecuted and oppressed of every nation and religion'

Later in his life, James Madison wrote a letter summarizing his views, 'And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one has done, in shewing that religion & Gov'twill both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.

In Massachusetts, a convent---coincidentally near the Bunker Hill Monument was burned to the ground by an anti Catholic mob incited by reports that young women were being abused in the convent school.

In Philadelphia anti-Catholic sentiment fueled the Bible Riots of 1844, in which houses were torched, two Catholic churches destroyed and at least 20 people were killed.

In October 1832, rouge militiamen massacred 17 church members, including children, at the Mormon settlement of Haun's Mill.

And let's not forget the 1925 lynching of Jew Leo Frank by an angry mob in Atlanta, Ga.

Great Great History Lesson my friend and a great reminder that there are those on the way and already here, that will accept none of the above until conversion or death. It's a Mess

Take Care
Stay Safe

[1CAVCCO15MED]

"The advance of liberalism... [encourages] the hope that the human mind will some day get back to the freedom it enjoyed two thousand years ago." --Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1821