Muslims see our freedom as a chink in our armor

While many Muslims across the world continue to protest the publication of a cartoon depicting Muhammed, all of us in the Western World should be taking stock of the stark differences between our cultures, and considering very carefully our own reactions to it.

On one hand, it's easy to blame the press (once again) for irresponsibly throwing fuel onto an already smoldering fire. They are such a huge target they are bound to catch some of the flack. They are an easy, but incorrect, scapegoat.

On the other hand, and much more importantly, the truth behind these demonstrations is that these Muslims (not all Muslims to be sure, but these more radical Muslims, in apparently growing numbers) want to suppress freedom, especially freedom of the press, worldwide. They want to silence all those who do not share their culture. There can be no other interpretation for their actions. They wish to put their own beliefs above the beliefs of others, and behave violently when that wish is not honored.

In the United States these days, we have a long fuse when it comes to accommodating different cultures. Our history of being the world's melting pot is long and illustrious, albeit bumpy on occasion, yet our country is better off because of it. That is why when we hear conservatives defending the administration's war on terrorism with phrases that include "we must protect our way of life", it has, until recently, seemed too vague and general to be taken seriously.

With the spread of these recent demonstrations, however, we are beginning to understand that these radical Muslims really do want to suppress our most basic freedoms, rights we have enjoyed for less than a dozen generations and for which we have had to fight and die for throughout the life of this nation. We must not take them for granted. We must carefully reexamine our willingness to let our own "way of life" be suppressed in our desire to be tolerant of others. Somewhere, despite our strong desire to be painfully politically correct, as a freedom-loving people, we need to draw a line.

Regardless of whatever original reasons we occupied Iraq, we must see the larger picture that is developing. We must recognize that the success of a democracy in the heart of Islam may very well be our first line of defense. It is certainly the best way for the Muslims to learn the patience and tolerance that our democracies have taught us; that great social changes occur more effectively with free elections, rather than violence; that losing an election isn't the end of the process, it's simply part of the evolution of a nation; that it isn't necessary for all sides to have the same point of view or to even be in charge for everyone to have an equal chance at being a citizen of a vibrant community; and that a free press is critical to a transparent and accountable government.

With the success of a democracy in a predominantly Muslim country, it will soon be clear to every culture in the world that freedom is a strength, not a weakness, and that ALL people are better off WITH freedom than without it. Above all, it will be a victory for freedom-loving people everywhere, proving that it is "a way of life" worth fighting for, and those of us with the resources can and must protect it.