There seems to be an air of self-censorship in general in American media, in order to not offend large segments of the U.S. population. Ironically, in the midst of the worldwide cartoon controversy, the commentary provided by the cartoons on current events has BECOME the current event. The artists and their work were no longer outside looking in, but became the attraction themselves.

Granted, the cartoons were previously available online if one were to actively seek them out, but as the story built and the worldwide situation became more severe, the self-censorship of most mainstream U.S. media outlets in the interest of politeness became, again, part of the story, and it became essential that the root of situation, the cartoons themselves, were brought fully and forcefully into the spotlight in order for the public to fully evaluate the issue in its cold, crude truth.

The fact that most American publications still refuse to print the cartoons is now not only a moot point, with the DI and DI staff now becoming the next nationwide generation of attraction for printing them, but should serve as a reminder that “being polite” will not make a First Amendment versus political correctness issue just disappear without public discourse. Censorship of free thought in any form is never the answer, no matter how offended one might become or one might expect others to become.

James P. Mortland