U.S. Government Backs Islamic Rioters, Freedom of Expression Exists Only Conditionally

In an attempt to distance America from the assumed source of Muslim anger in Europe and the Middle East, the State Department released statements that seem to side with the fundamentalist rioters.

"These cartoons are indeed offensive to the belief of Muslims," State Department spokesman Kurtis Cooper said in answer to a question.

"We all fully recognize and respect freedom of the press and expression, but it must be coupled with press responsibility. Inciting religious or ethnic hatreds in this manner is not acceptable."

Cooper said he had no comment as to why the United States chose to pass judgment in a dispute that ostensibly does not involve America. (Reuters)

The press responsibility Cooper speaks of is clearly the same responsibilty that prohibits the publishing of photographs revealing the caskets of fallen American soldiers. Or perhaps the press responsibility Cooper is demanding, relates to having American soldiers clandestinely publishing pro-American propaganda in Iraqi newspapers or the Bush Administration paying news contributors to praise the No Child Left Behind Act. They have some great balls telling others how they should handle their media.

The American government does not speak for all Americans. They ignore the obvious, underlying tensions that are not one sided, and not felt only by Muslims.