Two Things

First, the Toronto Star surprises me by publishing a letter about the shoe thrower which completely conforms to my take on it:

This guy really caught a break

But as this article illustrates, there is at least a free press in Iraq now and journalists debate amongst themselves how their reaction to the shoe throwing event has caused concern over professional ethics. Wish some of that would rub off on North American journalists.

Second is this address by Bruce Bawer, which was broadcast over the net via Dr. Roy's blog, among others. Bawer is the author of two important books, While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam is Destroying the West From Within and Surrender: Appeasing Islam, Sacrificing Freedom. I haven't read either of them, but I intend to. The introduction lasts about 10 minutes, but it in itself is pretty instructive about how terrified the West is of criticizing Islam:

Link:

Don't miss this op ed piece by Barbara Kay on the topic, either.