I suspect, in being given this honor, Mr. Rushdie is getting long-due recognition for his services to the U.K. government in the form of Muslim-baiting. The exquisite irony of which is the fact that awarding him this honor is, in itself, a rather spectacular instance of Muslim-baiting, and an extremely successful one, if the majority of responses in this thread are any indication.

Congratulations to the government of the U.K.! Brilliant plan indeed!