Mohammed and the Cartoons

I'm really having a hard time fathoming the outrage in the Muslim world that was sparked by a Danish newspaper publishing cartoons that featured the likeness of Mohammed. Now Muslim clerics are calling for days of anger (as opposed to Days of Thunder) and violence is breaking out all over the world? This is bizarre.

I wonder if future historians will shake their heads in disbelief thinking, "Did the great war of the West vs Islam really get started over a couple of cartoons?" similar to how we shake our heads and ask "Did millions of people really go to war in 1914 because someone shot Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Archduke who?)?"

Personally - I think this issue has very little to do with outrage over the cartoons. The real issue here is Islam's (sweeping generalization alert) belief over who they can bully and who they cannot. "They" (clerics et al) think they can make Denmark and the European Union submit to their will under the guise of religious PCness and when they found out that Denmark doesn't want to be bullied - they got all bent out of shape.

Here in the United States I've seen things a thousand times more insulting than the cartoons the Muslims are all upset about. On Spike TV while getting my CSI jones fixed I've seen a commercial that has Mohammad in a death match against Moses. A commercial which ends when Moses whips the 10 Commandment tablets at Mohammad's head - completely decapitating the prophet in the process. On South Park there was an episode where Jesus called together the Super Best Friends to combat David Blaine. A poorly drawn cartoon Mohammed was a member of the Super Best Friends. Where's the outrage over these types of things? Is it because people in America would say "screw you" to any sort of attempt at censorship or bullying? I think so.

Speaking of South Park - I really hope that Trey Parker and Matt Stone come to the defense of the West and really give the clerics something to beat their camels over.