Journalists don’t kill, Islamic nutjobs do

I don’t mean to defend Newsweek given its recent bogus cover story about the “best” high schools. But I’m tired of reading all these blog posts accusing Newsweek of killing people because they printed the allegation from an anonymous source about Korans being desecrated.

The MSM prints allegations from anonymous sources all the time. Maybe it’s bad journalism, but it’s standard practice. Bloggers like Michelle Malkin and Black Five are way out of line in accusing Newsweek of being responsible for these deaths. Even Glenn Reynolds is jumping on the bandwagon.

Newsweek didn’t kill people, rioting Islamic nutjobs killed people, which is hardly news at all. Islamic nutjobs are always killing people in the name of Islam.

I can’t think of any religion that is more disrespectful to other religions than Islam. Muslims routinely destroy the holy sites and artifacts of other religions, such as Joseph’s Tomb and ancient Buddhist statues. Nothing gets Muslims more excited than tearing down another religion’s temple or church and putting up a Mosque in its place.

UPDATE

LHM has done a better job than me expressing these same thoughts, so do read his post.

Michael Higgins has also posted on this topic at his blog: "For bloggers to side with the zealots who would gladly flush our U.S. Constitution down the drain because it gives them the opportunity to stick it to the MSM is contemptible."

Comments

[Michael H.]

Hi Half Sigma
Good points. I think Newsweek was irresponsible, but the competetive nature of journalism often pushes the MSM to print stories that should have been vetted more thoroughly.
The question is, should Newsweek have been even more cautious because the claims predicatibly would cause violence? In other words, to what extent should American journalism self-censor because of the religious sensiblities of people who don't respect first admendment freedoms? Put that way, I think that Newsweek had an obligation to ignore these sentiments. We can't have the middle-east controlling what we can read.

[Victoria]

Not to be flip, but flushing a Quran down the commode? How in the world did they get it to go down? Oh well...

It seems to me like the MSM is in such a rush to outdo each other that perhaps they don't take the time to properly verify their stories. And a story on ANY religion is going to stir up sentiment. I wonder what Newsweek was thinking, putting that story out. They had to have known, aside from stirring up even more anti-Bush feelings, that there would be followers of Islam that would be pissed off.

I support free speech, to be sure, but I also support thinking before speaking, or writing in this case.

[LHM]

And I thought I was the only one out there today that was not on the CRAZY PILLS.

Nice job. Glad to see Im not alone.

[shakazuluman]

I agree. I think all Magazines are drama journals not journalism.
Everyones always looking to blame someone that just fucked up.
and Newsweek fucked up but is not responsible for all those crazies killing people.

[Half Sigma]

"Not to be flip, but flushing a Quran down the commode? How in the world did they get it to go down?"

If I wanted to flush a book down the toilet, I'd rip out the pages and flush it down a bit at a time. How else would you do it?

[Victoria]

Okay, okay, point taken. I don't usually flush books down the pot...!!!

[Michael H.]

Hi Half Sigma and others
Interesting discussion.
The more I think about the more I am bothered by those who want stick it to Newsweek for their regretable error. These are people with a conservative bias and dislike the "liberal" media. If that's your bias, okay, but be consistant. These people are siding with the enemies of freedom in the Islamic world and using their intolerance as a reason for calling on the MSM to self-censor. I don't want these Islamic zealots or anyone else determining what goes in my news. I want that determination to be solely the decision of the editor. Let us stop the Monday morning quarterbacking and declare that Newsweek and the MSM and the blogs as well have every right to publish what they honestly believe is the news.
Okay, I've calmed down now. My rant is over. Sorry Half Sigma for getting a little worked up.
Btw, this is a really fun blog to visit and I hope I am welcome to keep visiting.

[Michael H.]

Hi Half Sigma and others
I posted a more coherent "rant" on this subject on my blog. Just click on my name.
I shameless stole all of the many fine links that Half Sigma discovered. Very good blogging Half Sigma. I'm a shameless free rider.

[Half Sigma]

Everyone is welcome here, the blog is like a big tent. Unlike the Libertarian Party which is like a small closet hidden somewhere in the basement.