Glad to be American: Reason #1251

Two Jordanian newspaper editors who published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad have been arrested.

Jihad Momani and Hisham Khalidi are accused of insulting religion under Jordan's press and publications law.

Unbelievable, yet oh-so-believable.

Mr Momani's arrest came earlier on Saturday, a day after Jordanian King Abdullah condemned the cartoons as an unnecessary abuse of freedom of speech.

Have I mentioned how glad I am to live in America, where my leaders don't get to arbitrarily decide that a crucifix in a jar of urine is bonafide, A-OK, go on with your bad self freedom of speech, but a cartoon of Mohammad is "an unnecessary abuse of freedom of speech?"

Mr Momani's paper, Shihan, had printed three of the cartoons, alongside an editorial questioning whether the angry reaction to them in the Muslim world was justified.

"Muslims of the world be reasonable," wrote Mr Momani.

"What brings more prejudice against Islam, these caricatures or pictures of a hostage-taker slashing the throat of his victim in front of the cameras or a suicide bomber who blows himself up during a wedding ceremony in Amman?"

Have I mentioned how glad I am to live in America, where a plea for reason isn't a jailable offense?

In a public letter of apology after his sacking, Mr Momani said he did not mean to cause offence, Reuters news agency reported.

Arab Printers Company, the publisher of Shihan, also withdrew copies of the popular tabloid from news stands across the country and promised tough moves against those involved.

Have I mentioned how glad I am to live in America, where exercising the right to free speech is not a cause for apology.

Yet.

As seen @ Michelle Malkin.

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