There IS, sadly, the "... tendency of many people to generalize anger and/or hatred towards all members of some groups because of behavior they find objectionable on the part of some members of the group."

And also, unfortunately, there is the tendency of some people to label all criticism of certain groups AS 'generalized anger and/or hatred'. I see 'leaders' like Al Sharpton doing approximately that when Blacks are called to task for their behavior. It instantly gets labeled 'racism'.

I put myself on the line in the US civil rights movement, and would do it again, and yet I sometimes see African-American culture helping to fuel problems that certainly are not universal among African Americans, just as I see Muslim culture failing to deal internally with many of the problems that they are being condemned for.

It is WORK to sort out and maintain perspective in these issues when some want to paint every issues black or white.

'Most' of my critiques here are about careless reasoning and hasty generalization, rather than specific support for or against some ideological position....and I see little point in just engaging in some endless "no you didn't"/"yes, I did" harangue.

So.... it is STILL my feeling that the British govt. has every 'right' to give Rushdie a literary honor, but they need be aware that radicals are LOOKING for an excuse to foment more violence. This situation MEANS that some sort of conflict is likely....it does not mean that either Rushdie or Britain 'planned' it, or is intentionally baiting Muslims, anymore than my walking down the street past a yard where I know there is a bad-tempered dog is intentionally provoking the dog.
(and if anyone thinks they can claim I am somehow equating members of an ethnic group with dogs, I assure you, that was simply the first metaphor that came to mind!)