Also, claiming that the political problems we’re having with terrorism are related to “Islam” is like claiming that mob violence is related to “Italian culture”. Yes, terrorist groups are inspired and recruited through their connection to Islam, but ‘reforming’ the culture will have no effect on the political use of this organization and its tactics.

That said, American laws and culture pretty much demand that, although we may disagree with what Wilders has say, we should fight to the death to protect his right to say it.”

Every media outlet and every internet site should, (and if we value our freedoms, must) publish Wilder’s work, simultaneously if possible. People who make death threats against him are breaking our laws and should be punished for doing so. United we stand…

That’s what we should have done during the Rushdie controversy, it’s what we should have done when Hirsi Ali and Theo Van Gogh released his film, it’s what every media outlet should have done during the Danish Cartoon controversy.

However, while we’re noting media cowardice, we should also note that Western governments, including our own, made no attempt to punish the people who were making death threats, or the issuers of anti-free speech fatwas. If our government isn’t willing to defend our rights, it’s not clear why we’re paying their salaries.