Europe Shows Some Spine

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Europeans in Norway and Germany are showing that Muslim threats will not stop them from free expression. Reports VG Nett from Norway (translated here):

This coming Monday the controversial Mohammad cartoons will be shown on Norwegian TV screens for the very first time.

Yesterday it was exactly one year ago since the controversial cartoons was published in Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten, an act that caused outrage in the Muslim world.

When TV 2 air the documentary “threatened to silence” this coming Monday the controversial cartoons will once again be shown according to Nettavisen.

Will strengthen freedom of speech.

The journalist behind the documentary, Per Christian Magnus, believes that showing the cartoons will help strengthen freedom of speech.

- I believe this is a very important act in the fight for freedom of speech. I can personally vouch for the finished product, and I guarantee that only journalistic considerations has been taken into account when considering what’s going to be shown and what’s not.

Out of Germany, there is outrage at the "prior restraint" imposed at a Berlin opera company for being afraid to show Muhammad's severed head. Reports Reuters:

A Berlin opera house condemned for canceling performances of a Mozart work because of concern it could provoke violence by Muslims said on Thursday it might consider staging the production if it had security assurances.

"If there was a new security plan, we could consider it," Alexander Busche, a spokesman for the Deutsche Oper, said when asked about reinstating "Idomeneo", which includes a scene with the severed heads of the Prophet Mohammad, Buddha and Jesus.

Although the opera house had agreed on its program until mid-June, there were some free days which could be used, he said.

A row erupted after Deutsche Oper said on Monday it had pulled four performances of the Mozart work in November.

Director Kirsten Harms said the police had warned her of an "incalculable" security risk if she went ahead. Police have since said they received an anonymous phone call with an abstract warning rather than a specific threat.