White House Kow-tows on Schedule

It comes as absolutely no surprise that the Bush administration has sided with the tantrum-throwing Muslims against the European newspapers desperately trying to defend freedom of speech.

In Washington, the State Department criticized the drawings, calling them "offensive to the beliefs of Muslims."

While recognizing the importance of freedom of the press and expression, State Department press officer Janelle Hironimus said these rights must be coupled with press responsibility.

"Inciting religious or ethnic hatred in this manner is not acceptable," Hironimus said. "We call for tolerance and respect for all communities and for their religious beliefs and practices."

Not a word from the State Department spokesman - who doesn’t open his mouth without the expressed approval of the Secretary of State and her boss, the President - about the vile characterization of non-Muslims in the Arabic press, or the funding of Islamic extremists by Saudi Arabia. No, not a word. Too busy trying to curry favor with the radical Muslims who hate us anyway. Shameful. Disgraceful. Completely predictable.

Once again, the White House has soiled itself kowtowing to the Islamists. The Islamists understand the West down to our molecules. Scream loudly and threaten violence and we’ll cave in on even our most important beliefs. Call us racist and we wet ourselves. In Riyadh, the Wahabbists are laughing so hard they’re might accidentally set off their stockpiles of suicide vests. Who needs to attack the West when its own leaders will gladly eviscerate themselves?