The frenzy over the Danish cartoons is not going to dissolve any time soon, as it is being used to stir up the Muslim masses. Willliam Kristol explains in his Weekly Standard article that the cartoons weren't an issue when they were published last fall in Denmark and Egypt; they became a problem when the activist Muslim leaders decided that this would help their cause. And, they fanned the flames after Hamas's victory in the Palestinian elections and when Iran wants to push their nuclear programs. The effect is both diversionary and also to gain sympathetic support for those poor, beleaguered folk who are suffering religious persecution. However, we can't forget that these radicals want to take over the world, and when they do we won't have life as we have known it. For some excellent discussion and background read the Jihad Watch posting and the following comments relating to a Saudi cleric's proposition that there should be a trial regarding the cartoons. Also, look at the cartoons that were originally published. There is nothing here that is anything like the political cartoons U.S. politicians suffer every day!
But most worrisome is whether we still have our "eye on the ball" -- the Iranian ball, that is. Amir Taheri presents a very clear picture of Iranian politics in the Asharq Alawsat newspaper. Within a couple of months, Iran's radical leadership will be reinforced by the selection of a radical "Supreme Guide" to the Council of the Guardian's (twelve mullahs), or by a more moderate, poltically savvy choice. Daveed Garenstein-Ross has more at Counterterrorism Blog. We should all hope that this has a peaceful resolution, because, according to the Telegraph yesterday Iran has restarted its nuclear bomb making facility: "In the past few days Iranian nuclear scientists have reportedly restarted four of the centrifuges required to produce weapons-grade uranium, and have begun feeding them with uranium hexafluoride (UF6) gas, a key component in the production of nuclear bombs." And the Telegraph this morning reports that the United States is preparing for the option of bombing Iran's nuclear sites. It is very interesting that there is nothing in the Washington Post on this. The most thoughtful commentary so far on this is at Blogs for Bush and Strata-Sphere. All Things Beautiful ties in the bigger picture of Russia, China and Hamas.
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