Tuesday, September 16, 2008



A small victory for free speech

Naughty novel to be published after all

"Gibson Square, a British publishing house, has announced that it will soon release "The Jewel of Medina," a novel by American author Sherry Jones whose publication in the United States was recently canceled by Random House for fear of triggering violence by Islamic fanatics. Bravo.

The novel fictionalizes the relationship between the Prophet Muhammad and his youngest bride, Aisha. After paying the author a significant advance and making plans for the release of the book, Random House sent copies of the galleys to various scholars, some of whom told the publisher that the content distorted history, would inflame Muslims and could cause much trouble. Security experts were also consulted. Random House decided to cancel publication of Jones' work, invoking reasons of "safety."

Many people in the West misunderstand what freedom of expression means. They associate it with the restriction on the power of the government to interfere with the freedom to express oneself. It is really a restriction on the power of anyone to interfere with anyone else's right to free expression, including but not limited to the government. If a business decision is made under extreme fear-directly or indirectly caused by force from a third person rather than the government-freedom of expression also suffers.

I am not interested in the reasons why Gibson Square has decided to publish the book-whether opportunism, greed, love of scandal, a dislike of the prophet, or a belief in the merits of the novel. But the fact that someone, somewhere, is willing to run the risk of not letting the threat of violence inhibit free expression is tremendously comforting

Source

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

This truly surprises me, especially from a British company. I'm sure, however, the Brits will come up with a way to stop the book or sue the publishing company.

Anonymous said...

It is a surprise, and, sadly, I'm sure they will come to regret the deicision to go ahead.

Anonymous said...

I agree with both of the comments above, but it is a good day for freedom, isn't it. And to see such a display of courage from a British company? Terrific! It is decisions like this one that can defuse radical Islam.

Anonymous said...

Sharia law has the force of law in Britain now so I'm sure heads will be rolling.

Anonymous said...

Sharia law does not have the force of law in the UK - even if you anticipate it; or if you anticipate the publishing being eventually stopped. Deal with actual events and not presume so much based on your xenophobic prejudice!

Anonymous said...

Actually, yes it does.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,422661,00.html

Anonymous said...

I'm not xenophobic - I just hate muslims.

Also, although my comment was based in truth, I was exaggerating.

Deal with it. Putz!

Anonymous said...

If you read the article in the Times of London to which the Fox article refers, you will see that the sharia rulings are only voluntary tribunals dealing in civil matters such as inheritance and domestic disputes to which the parties concerned have agreed to apply. And such tribunals have been used by the Jewish community for 100 years. The rulings cannot over-ride normal UK courts if the parties go to them, and of course such tribunals cannot sanction "honor killings" etc. In short your comments are indeed exaggerations, but I won't be rude and say vulgarities like "Putz" to you.

Anonymous said...

Dear Putz,

You're no fun at all. It is a slippery slope when you start caving in to muslim demands like this. It may be voluntary today, mandatory tomorrow, and totally supplant their legal system the next day. You get what you deserve when you kiss muslim ass.

Sincerely,
Vulgar Ass

Anonymous said...

Wow I didn't realize islam was a threat to dental hygene as well!

Anonymous said...

hard to see computer keys because i cannot get discount glasses from the socilaist government because i make too much money.

Anonymous said...

Well dear, if you "make too much money" why should you have discount glasses from a socialist government ??

Anonymous said...

Probably because "make too much money" means one is white and not on welfare.

Anonymous said...

The RANDOM CHICKEN HOUSE its these muslims that are the intorant ones