Saw the cartoons-sadly, you won't get away with whole IDEA of a cartoon (even if positive) if ANY picture of Mohammed is forbidden and blasphemous.

Second, again-sadly-this is how much of the "average Joe" perceives Islam, unjustified theologically as it may be. The radical fundamentalists have hijacked at least the IMAGE of Islam, and one can talk all they want about it being a "religion of peace" but televised beheadings, and folks standing around in black masks with AK's and scimitars ain't gonna help your image.

Finally, this is much bigger than some Euro paper publishing editorial cartoons (to state the obvious). The timing of all of this righteous fury and violent indignation is to coincidental with the whole Iran nuke bit, Hamas winning the Palestinian elections, perceived (and real) "cracks" in the war in Iraq front, etc. etc. Someone mentioned in another thread on the "coming war in Iran" that what it's gonna take to really get things "going" will be terrorist attacks in Europe on the scale of 9/11. And what did I just hear on MSNBC this fine Saturday morning? A threat (many, actually) during the protests over the cartoons, placarded and yelled: "Europe-your 9/11 is coming!!!"