You must have heard about these horrific events happening in Europe and the Middle East? Denmark's cartoons are being published across Europe in an act of solidarity with one of the most progressive and truly democratic countries in the world. Meanwhile, Muslim anger and verbal/physical attacks on Europeans in both Europe and the Middle East increase.
In London, marches took place in Knightsbridge, where the Danish Embassy is located - crying out for people to be executed and saying that the British deserve 7/7 attacks and deserve further disgusting atrocities. Of course, I am outraged with their reaction because although the cartoons may have been offensive, we live in a world of free speech - and people in our countries have died for our rights. Furthermore, Denmark and Britain afford our citizens many rights and benefits, which these Muslims enjoy. There is no need for the extremism, although I understand why they are offended.
But just to give you an update on the situation in Wales - as yet, there have been no repercussions in Wales. The British press has NOT published the cartoons and the Muslim population here is relatively low compared to the rest of the UK. However, a German tourist was kidnapped recently, mistaken for a Dane. Does that mean that the "CH" in Welsh makes me sound Scandinavian? Am I at risk for being a white European who speaks a somewhat gutteral language?
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Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i´m gwlad Tra môr yn fur I'r bur hoff bau O bydded i´r heniaith barhau
Yeah, you're in danger of assault in your own country for being mistaken for a Dane, just as I am in danger if I travel in certain parts of the world including parts of Europe and I say I'm American. Its what happens when there are those who would dictate to humanity the conditions under which they'll be respected and kill you if you don't adhere to them. The question is, how great is the actual risk? From what you're saying about Wales, probably not much. Its hard to say how long that will last however. Increasingly the whole free world is under threat.
Not long ago in a nearby supermarket where I regularly shop, a man wearing a trenchcoat walked in and asked the clerk if the store sold alcohol. When the clerk referred the man to the correct aisle, he walked over and took out a golf club from inside his coat and began smashing all the bottles of alcohol on the shelves. He smashed the heads of several store employees too before he was finally restrained then arrested. The man was Muslim and its against Islamic law to consume alcohol. Although I wasn't in the store at the time of the incident, it occurred close enough to home to leave me apprehensive. I shop in that store several times a week.
Personally I find it strange that people would assume that their codes for blasphemy would legitimately apply to those who don't even believe in their faith.
The paper where the cartoons appeared was very small, it only has a circulation of 150,000. The Muslim reaction has made a firestorm out of an ember and will increase the world's apprehensiveness about them.
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Yr hen Gymraeg i mi, Hon ydyw iaith teimladau, Ac adlais i guriadau Fy nghalon ydyw hi --- Mynyddog
You know what kind of person one is by his action not by his words. If Muslims are peace-loving people as they claim to be, thier recent actions have proven themselves to be quite contrary. Who else has reacted to a catoon so violently? They slander other religions without any hesitation. Talk about double standard!
Also, if they so much don't like the policies of the countries they've immigrated to, they are welcome to leave and go back to their home countries. If you immigrate to any country, you ought to contribute to the good of that society and obey their law, instead of changing it to suit you.
At least I'm glad Danish prime minister is not backing down. You can't cower to this sort of violence. They'll only take advantage till they're out of control.
This has been a heated topic in our house hold ever since the 7/7 bombing in London. We use more colorful and stronger vocabulary among ourselves from sheer indignation, but I tried to tone it down here.
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Weithiau, mae'r ateb i'n problemau o dan ein trwynau, dim ond bod angen i ni gymryd cam yn ôl ac edrych eto. - Stuart Kerner
I am glad to hear your support guys, because so far reports from the USA have been condemning Europe's solidarity. I agree, Muslims who dislike British/Danish culture/rights/policies should leave. I am outraged to the point I was nearly crying yesterday! May sound dramatic but I am an avid supporter of human rights and fiercely proud to be Welsh, British and European. I may not like England's policies toward Wales or English attitudes toward the Welsh Language, I certainly do not wish for murder or pain or suffering and in such times of solidarity, I am proud to stand alongside England as one and the same within the United Kingdom and alongside Denmark as one and the same within the progressive European Union.
I remain relatively unharmed by the recent events thanks to Wales' neutrality, but it hurts me that Britain is suffering.
You echo my sentiments and other free minded people I am sure.
I work with a small number of people who follow the Muslim faith and as far as they are concerned these hooligans are not true Muslims as they are using this religion for their own disgusting ends.
The 7/7 atrocity in London will never ever leave my thoughts, nor the murderers who committed it.
Muslims can live in harmony with others but only if they wish to.
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If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. if you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart Nelson Mandela
I work with a small number of people who follow the Muslim faith and as far as they are concerned these hooligans are not true Muslims as they are using this religion for their own disgusting ends.
Isn't that always the way? People use religion as a club to further their personal beliefs and agendas. Is there any religion out there that has as its doctrine violence? I don't know of any.
Going back to the page before. One branch of my family emigrated to the US from Wales, settling in a Welsh area of Pennsylvania, Cambria County and I wonder who they were back in Wales. My only point of reference for the Welsh chapel is from the book How GreenWas My Valley. Is that anywhere near accurate?
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Compassion is the sometimes fatal capacity for feeling what it is like inside somebody else's skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too. - Frederick Buechner
If society prospers at the expense of the intangibles, how can it be called progress?
-LLP
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