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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Cowardly Media Not Sensitive

"Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But, conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because one's conscience tells one that it is right." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When did you last read about someone beheaded with a pen? That should put to rest any debate about which is mightier. Another problem with pens and pencils is that so many are wielded by cowards. At Tuesday's State of the Union Address, dozens of congressmen waved pencils in support of free speech. But none would dare use those pencils to draw a Mohammed cartoon. Years ago, Molly Norris challenged the civilized world to defy Islamic threats with "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day." Her view held that if threats created more blasphemers than they frightened away, then the threats would lose all power. She was right, but no one was willing to share the risk with her. As a consequence, Norris now lives in hiding with a new identity/Michael Costello, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Is the media being sensitive or cowardly in not publishing cartoons with images of Muhammad?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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