Quote of the day

posted at 10:45 pm on November 18, 2007 by Allahpundit

“I’ve censored myself. The reason I haven’t gone all out attacking Islamism in my art is because I feel real fear that someone will slit my throat.”

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The Pen is mighter than the sword only if you have the courage to use it.

William Amos on November 18, 2007 at 10:50 PM

Ha! These swine would slit their throats anyway. You cannot appease terrorists!

Gatordoug on November 18, 2007 at 10:50 PM

He needs to close the door, I feel a chill wind blowing…

Neo on November 18, 2007 at 10:58 PM

…Islamism is very amorphous. You don’t know what the threshold is. Even what seems an innocuous image might trigger off a really violent reaction so I just play safe all the time.

a·mor·phous (ə-môr’fəs) Pronunciation Key
adj.
Lacking definite form; shapeless. See Synonyms at shapeless.
Of no particular type; anomalous.
Lacking organization; formless.
Lacking distinct crystalline structure.

Therefore…

Islamism is very anomalous.

Britain’s contemporary artists are fêted around the world for their willingness to shock but fear is preventing them from tackling Islamic fundamentalism.

As Dan Rather would say, “courage”.

Entelechy on November 18, 2007 at 10:59 PM

Sometimes it takes balls to admit you have none. Or something.

It is kind of ironic, though, if I may misuse the word like so many do, that there is a 99% certainty that this dude is gay and the radicals would want to string him up for that reason alone, notwithstanding his “art”.

Wait till that pressure to not criticize Islam for fear of death comes to America, won’t that be great. Maybe 10 years from now, I’ll bet.

Great to see new posts from HotAir on a Sunday night with the Pats blowing out another opponent, and nothing better to do than down some Newcastles, and check out some AP posts. Thanks, dude. Burp.

RW Wacko on November 18, 2007 at 10:59 PM

I guess this means that the public does not respond to peaceful protest, but will capitulate wholeheartedly to fear. The whole argument about would you rather be loved or feared.

I guess this article goes to show that Christianity would be better served in the public eye if they ACTUALLY stoned gays. And if MOST pro-lifers settled their issues with pro-choicers like Eric Rudolph, people would respect the pro-life movement more.

ThackerAgency on November 18, 2007 at 11:01 PM

Speaking truth to power’s no fun when there’s a real price to pay, is there? These artists will be first in line to pay the jizya.

TexasDan on November 18, 2007 at 11:04 PM

It’s not just the artists goofing on islam, the professors can’t even state facts without having their lives threatened. When will the world wake up to this? Hopefully not before it’s too late.

4shoes on November 18, 2007 at 11:07 PM

“A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.” —Samuel Adams

Speakup on November 18, 2007 at 11:09 PM

How will the lefties reconcile this with the fact that “there isn’t any Islamic fundamentalism we can’t negotiate with”?

Entelechy on November 18, 2007 at 11:10 PM

The whole argument about would you rather be loved or feared.

ThackerAgency on November 18, 2007 at 11:01 PM

From this arises an argument: whether it is better to be loved than feared. I reply that one should like to be both one and the other; but since it is difficult to join them together, it is much safer to be feared than to be loved when one of the two must be lacking.
- Niccolo

MB4 on November 18, 2007 at 11:12 PM

Is this like the Dems being afraid of Kos and Soros?

right2bright on November 18, 2007 at 11:23 PM

I have never minded cheering the deaths of Jihadists on my site, and never will. Someone asked me recently if I feared reprisal. It is a sobering thought I admit. But I ask only this, if they would kill me because I am American, and they would, then what have I got to lose? Lord let me take a few with me.

Gatordoug on November 18, 2007 at 11:23 PM

OK. I will not click on the link. I’m guessing “JERRY SEINFELD”?

bloggless on November 18, 2007 at 11:27 PM

If we all speak up then we’re all safe. If only a few speak out then the Muslims will kill them.

Mojave Mark on November 18, 2007 at 11:34 PM

Mojave Mark on November 18, 2007 at 11:34 PM

You think like Benjamin Franklin! VERY good company!

Gatordoug on November 18, 2007 at 11:36 PM

In Britain the most high-profile examples have also been seen in the theatre, with the campaign by Christian fundamentalists against Jerry Springer: the Opera

Huh? Does that “campaign” have something to do with Islamists, or are they comparing dangerous Islamic extremists to Christian fundamentalists?

Buy Danish on November 18, 2007 at 11:54 PM

Whatever happened to the mindset that “If you try to slit my throat I’ll do my best to slit yours first.” ???

This wussification of Western culture is sickening.

infidel4life on November 19, 2007 at 12:10 AM

I get a real kick out of people ragging on about the guy being a wuss…. Funny, I don’t remember seeing YOUR depiction of Allah printed in the paper……..

KMC1 on November 19, 2007 at 12:29 AM

i went to NDSU, north dakota state university (probably one of the most conservative colleges in the US), one of my profs openly told a class of us seniors, “the worst thing in the world is that if if people of islamic faith dictate us, they are nothing better than wife beaters” prof Helgeland, knew his stuff and was willing to beat down and islamic apologist. i am one of the lucky ones to get educated in a fairly conservative college where the profs werent cowards and willing to stand up to those who oppose freedom

cougfan on November 19, 2007 at 12:36 AM

and = an

cougfan on November 19, 2007 at 12:37 AM

Funny, when “arteests” bash Christ, they’re soooo braaaave, knowing that nothing’ll happen to ‘em. At least this guy is honest and said what so many artists, actors and media types won’t admit.

Tony737 on November 19, 2007 at 12:49 AM

ISLAM, the Religion of Piece(s), because that is all that is left behind after they have done their thing.

TruthToBeTold on November 19, 2007 at 1:20 AM

I get a real kick out of people ragging on about the guy being a wuss…. Funny, I don’t remember seeing YOUR depiction of Allah printed in the paper……..

KMC1 on November 19, 2007 at 12:29 AM

I doubt you remember anything past the last joint you smoked.

infidel4life on November 19, 2007 at 1:25 AM

Islamism is very amorphous. You don’t know what the threshold is. Even what seems an innocuous image might trigger off a really violent reaction so I just play safe all the time.

Entelechy on November 18, 2007 at 10:59 PM

And yet I suspect this same person has no problem believing the evil BushitlerHalibDarthChenney Cabal are the ones most responsible for loss of personal liberties in the world.

91Veteran on November 19, 2007 at 1:38 AM

“I’ve censored myself,” Perry said at a discussion on art and politics organised by the Art Fund. “The reason I haven’t gone all out attacking Islamism in my art is because I feel real fear that someone will slit my throat.”

Perry’s highly decorated pots can sell for more than £50,000 and often feature sex, violence and childhood motifs. One work depicted a teddy bear being born from a penis as the Virgin Mary. “I’m interested in religion and I’ve made a lot of pieces about it,” he said. “With other targets you’ve got a better idea of who they are but Islamism is very amorphous. You don’t know what the threshold is. Even what seems an innocuous image might trigger off a really violent reaction so I just play safe all the time.”

Even in twisted, psychotic, depraved, perverted, artsy-fartsy circles, these clowns know Christianity isn’t violent or even a fraction of what Islam is when it comes to bloodthristiness.

Are you reading this, Rosie and Behar?

What a sicko.

Black Adam on November 19, 2007 at 1:53 AM

i went to NDSU, north dakota state university (probably one of the most conservative colleges in the US), one of my profs openly told a class of us seniors, “the worst thing in the world is that if if people of islamic faith dictate us, they are nothing better than wife beaters” prof Helgeland, knew his stuff and was willing to beat down and islamic apologist. i am one of the lucky ones to get educated in a fairly conservative college where the profs werent cowards and willing to stand up to those who oppose freedom

cougfan on November 19, 2007 at 12:36 AM

Was this in Fargo? If so, it would be surprising since Fargo is a bit more liberal than the rest of the state.

91Veteran on November 19, 2007 at 1:53 AM

KMC1 on November 19, 2007 at 12:29 AM

Sorry… but while this testosteronialy challanged individual was selling Christian bashing “art”… I was carrying a gun in defense of my country…

Is that good enough for you?

Romeo13 on November 19, 2007 at 1:56 AM

Romeo13, if KMC1 wouldn’t be hiding behind his/her apron, he/she would be answering you. Also, he/she is still sorting out the difference btw. famous artists, the media, politicians and the rest.

Thank you for defending us!

Entelechy on November 19, 2007 at 2:17 AM

I get a real kick out of people ragging on about the guy being a wuss…. Funny, I don’t remember seeing YOUR depiction of Allah printed in the paper……..

KMC1 on November 19, 2007 at 12:29 AM

The point is that people like this artist claim to be boldly transgressive and courageous but when any real consequence arises they shrink and the lie is exposed.

The exception is Lars Vilk who cares more about his art than dying, claiming he’s already lived a long life and escalating his satire of Mohammed after being personally threatened by al-Qaeda.

He is the one you should be sticking up for.

aengus on November 19, 2007 at 4:16 AM

KMC1 has invented a new moonbat meme – the ChickenDissident!

Or was it the ChickenArtist?

Either way, it’s mildly amusing.

Merovign on November 19, 2007 at 4:44 AM

If you have a family, I feel you do have an obligation to think twice before putting others at risk (I say this as a mother and as the ex-wife of a blogger).

yggdrasil on November 19, 2007 at 6:12 AM

Some where on a blog in islamo-cyber space this artist is being accused of being a troll.

Ah, I feel his pain.

TheSitRep on November 19, 2007 at 6:42 AM

Sometimes it takes balls to admit you have none. Or something.

RW Wacko on November 18, 2007 at 10:59 PM

That’s actually a pretty good point. And this confession is actually a pretty damn effective criticism of Islam.

What’s actually more effective? Some piece of artwork … or just telling the God’s honest truth that you can’t even make the artwork, since the bastard will probably murder you for doing it?

Radical Muslims may not protest this guy – but for people who are paying attention his statement, cowardly or not, is about the effective criticism of Islam I’ve ever heard.

Because everyone knows it true.

Professor Blather on November 19, 2007 at 7:49 AM

One work depicted a teddy bear being born from a penis as the Virgin Mary.

What a shame that such an “artist” should feel hampered by radical Islam.

highhopes on November 19, 2007 at 7:54 AM

If artists,or authors like Rushdie,don’t
know were the Islamic thin red line is,
then Islamofachists are going to know,
sooner,than later, America’s “thin Red Line”.

canopfor on November 19, 2007 at 8:14 AM

This is part of the formula for the success of Islam. Call yourself the religion of peace and kill anyone that ridicules you publicly.

It keeps all those witty cross-dressers that love to attack whoever does not kill you for having an opinion at bay.

Hening on November 19, 2007 at 8:23 AM

I guess this article goes to show that Christianity would be better served in the public eye if they ACTUALLY stoned gays. ThackerAgency on November 18, 2007 at 11:01 PM

It keeps all those witty cross-dressers that love to attack whoever does not kill you for having an opinion at bay.

Hening on November 19, 2007 at 8:23 AM

Stupid libs are wrong again. Civilization, is not a free-for-all. The end-game of their stupid enterprise is their own destruction. I don’t think this stoopid moonbat artist and his fellow travelers would get that, even as their throats were being slit. He would probably pray for more tolerance from conservatives. When libs and the under forty-year-olds took over our society, we began our decay. When this is reversed, perhaps after some catastrophe, we’ll begin our ascent again. Until then, buckle-up.

JiangxiDad on November 19, 2007 at 9:11 AM

And yet I suspect this same person has no problem believing the evil BushitlerHalibDarthChenney Cabal are the ones most responsible for loss of personal liberties in the world.

91Veteran on November 19, 2007 at 1:38 AM

I wish a liberal would explain to me (in all honesty) how they get their heads around this one… muslim jihadists have committed thousands of atrocious attacks since 9/11 on totally innocent people(including children) in the name of their religion, and yet somehow our President is the most vile, evil (in their eyes) person that ever lived.

4shoes on November 19, 2007 at 9:56 AM

???

B-b-but, I thought “artists” spoke “truth to power” ?

Kinda’ hard to speak, when you’re bending over, isn’t it?

franksalterego on November 19, 2007 at 10:48 AM

infidel4life on November 19, 2007 at 1:25 AM

Romeo13 on November 19, 2007 at 1:56 AM

Merovign on November 19, 2007 at 4:44 AM

Entelechy on November 19, 2007 at 2:17 AM

OK all you toughies… I want EACH OF YOU to print a cartoon that is offensive to (pick your favorite group – and it can’t be Christians!). If anyone on HA thinks it is a good cartoon, we’ll submit it in to the national newspapers as an editorial on free speech. OH, and your REAL NAME, and your REAL ADDRESS need to be on it.

O.K. I’m waiting………..

KMC1 on November 19, 2007 at 10:54 AM

KMC1?

Aren’t you missing the point?

This is an “artist” who feels no guilt in demeaning OTHER religions.

Might as well play it safe…Speaking Truth to Power, ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.

franksalterego on November 19, 2007 at 11:29 AM

…Or fear, I might add

franksalterego on November 19, 2007 at 11:32 AM

KMC1, who appointed you the Toughness Master in Chief?

Or the HA cartoon Judge in Chief?

How do you know that we don’t already risk much, or make such decisions, none of which to be your business, but that of a free world?

Besides, you miss the entire point. The NYT didn’t print the Danish cartoons. Were they afraid to be blown up? Or did they have a PC agenda?

Look for courage here, at HA. Just look at what MM, AP, Bryan & Co. print on a daily basis. That’s just for starters.

Entelechy on November 19, 2007 at 1:03 PM

The Pen is mighter than the sword only if you have the courage to use it.

William Amos on November 18, 2007 at 10:50 PM

Not any more. When you are dealing with fatalistic, brainwashed madmen, it is impossible to be reasonable.

saiga on November 19, 2007 at 1:17 PM

Also, KMC1, keeping to the category of artists/media, and other known creatures on display, here is real courage, in Christopher Hitchens, who also has a family, and Ayan Hirsi Ali, who also has a life ot lose, but they fight for all of us, you too:

Second, the majority of Sunni Arabs had realized that their involvement with al-Qaida forces was not a patriotic “insurgency” but was instead a horrific mistake and had exposed their society to the most sadistic and degraded element in the entire Muslim world.

Entelechy on November 19, 2007 at 1:18 PM

LOL.
NOooooo I don’t miss the point that is being made. And it’s a very valid point.
However, MY point is that I find it absolutely hypocritical to put someone down for making a very common sense decision. Is it “right” that anyone should feel the need to do so?? Of course not. But all those toughies who think they need to insult someone for making such a decision, should take a look at their own glass house first.
Just look at this thread for a minute. I made a comment that is “not in line” with the more radical views presented, and all of a sudden I’m a pot smoking hippie…. LOL… Welcome to the fold, comrade…..lol

KMC1 on November 19, 2007 at 2:40 PM