Muslims Protest French Cartoons

The issue of apologizing to Muslims for the latest video ridiculing Mohammed came up at an event for the Columbia University School of Journalism Centennial on September 19, 2012 in Boston. Some US journalists say that the reason for the attacks on US Embassies and Consulates in Libya and Egypt were caused by that video. I asked one Columbia Journalism professor what he thought about the US State Department apologizing for that video. He thought it was appropriate because some people were offended by the video. I suggested that there was no reason for apologizing, since it is US law and culture to permit and to defend ridicule of religion. I asked why the diplomats did not uphold their oaths of office to protect and to defend the US Constitution which permits such expression. He said it was because there were some people who were offended by the expression. I did not suggest that Muslim diplomats should apologize to US citizens who are offended by the attacks based on what is legitimate expression. I am offended by their attacks on free expression protected by the First Amendment. Why are offended Muslims more important than offended American citizens? Does it have anything to do with violence, the threat of violence and the fear of violence by spineless US officials? Does it have anything to do with the efforts to legitimize Sharia law in the US which diminishes if not eliminates First Amendment protections?

[From article]
At the demonstration in Lebanon, Nabil Kaouk, deputy chief of Hezbollah's Executive Council, warned the United States and France not to anger Muslims.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20120920/DA1D624O0.html

New French cartoons inflame prophet film tensions
AP
Sep 19, 8:19 PM (ET)
By LORI HINNANT and JAMEY KEATEN