Apparently, a lot of Muslims are angry about some comics depicting their prophet. This is obviously impetus enough to storm and torch embassies, hurl firebombs at peacekeeping forces, and basically act a fool.

I understand being offended. I’m sure there are things I’d find offensive if depicted in a comic. I understand being angry. But, so sorry, nothing gives anyone license to go on a rioting spree. Certainly not a drawing. You couldn’t draw something offensive enough to warrant me taking to the streets looking for someone to hit.

This is more proof in my mind of a theory of civilization I have. I think we’re one step up from total chaos at any particular time. The only thing that separates individual communities or civilizations is how far it takes to bridge that step. For these Muslims on the rampage, it was a comic. For a bunch of dumb assholes in California, it was an unpopular verdict for a trial. For a bunch of dumb assholes in Louisiana, it was a hurricane. For a bunch of dumb assholes in Vancouver, it was a cancelled Guns N’ Roses concert. Oh for several of those you could argue that it was a symptom of a larger problem, a boiling over of decades or centuries or millennia of tensions… whatever.

Horseshit. Oh, I don’t deny those tensions exist — well, except for the GNR concert riots… those were just idiotic white boys gone apeshit — but I reiterate that nothing gives anyone license to go berserk and kill, maim, or destroy. At that point you’re merely wallowing in excess, secure in the knowledge that, as one of many, you’re unlikely to be singled out for retribution.

So, these particular Muslims would have to forgive me if I look at them as ignorant savages. Not all Muslims, just the ones out doing what they shouldn’t be in any civilized society. Just like I don’t point the finger at everyone in Los Angeles for the King riots or at everyone in New Orleans for the post-Katrina lawlessness, or at everyone in Vancouver. Just the morons.

Everyone has their limit. Some people should reconsider theirs.

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