More Timely Than Ever!

Sunday, February 12, 2006

All Right Already!


I'd much rather think about historical and theorectical market anarchism than the Muslim protests, violent and otherwise, against cartoonists, but I have to add one more thing to what I've already said: Get over it! Non-Muslims are under no obligation of any kind not to depict Muhammad. (It's not even clear that Muslins are under such an obligation.) If a cartoonist wishes to depict Muhammad in order to make a political or social point (or no particular point at all), that's his right. So if you abhor such depictions, do what any mature adult would do: ignore them -- and ignore the governments that have been using the cartoons to stir up hatred. (How come no one cared about the cartoons in the Danish paper when they were first published in September?) If someone were to draw a cartoon ridiculing or besmirching Aristotle or Rothbard or Rand, you wouldn't see me in the streets holding a candle in a silent vigil, much less screaming for the beheading of the artist. And if this outrageous display of anger is really about U.S. and western intervention in the Muslim world, then for goodness sake say that and shut up about the cartoons.

Let's grow up. It's long past time.

Okay, now that that's off my chest, let's get back to what really matters: market anarchism. Roderick Long has a worth-reading post (as usual) here. Follow the links. One of them (this one) takes you to a fascinating post and discussion at RadGeek People's Daily (Charles Johnson). If you are interested in the relationship among libertarianism, market anarchism, socialism, mutualism, utilitarianism, nonconsequentialism, virtue, and more, check it out.

Cross-posted at Liberty & Power.

3 comments:

Sheldon Richman said...

Out of respect for Roderick's feelings, I have disguised the one whom I have depicted.

gcallah said...

"The consequences" are that Roderick will force you to sit through a non-stop reading of all Aristotle's surviving works...

in Ancient Greek.

Sheldon Richman said...

That's a threat?