Michelle Ritchie; St. Joseph's Academy, 2006

Mocking a person's religion not only makes that person upset, but all followers of that religion upset. This type of ignorance causes rioting, wide-spread hatred, and even more terrorism. No one can win a religion argument. To think that Islam is solely a Middle Eastern religion makes the cartoonists look like complete idiots. All they have accomplished is stereotype people and embarrass themselves.

Maurice Harris; Knox College, 2008

In my view, this clash of civilizations was a long time coming. It just shows the differences between a growing radicalism in the Middle East and a western civilization that has moderated about religion. You may see people protest in the U.S. if they believe that some people have offended their religious beliefs, but they won't start riots and burn down embassies. The Middle East is now at a crossroads of either going to moderate or continue to fan Islamic radicalism for the benefits of states such as Syria or Iran.

Crystal Williams; Dominica University, 2008

Stepping on others' toes, is usually not desirable, but occasionally necessary. This issue is particularly tricky when you may be looked at as showing disrespect, in this case to a religion and those who practice it. You must consider your limits. Is it okay to mock other religions, as long as it's not yours? How liberal is too liberal? How much should we censor ourselves? Should freedom of speech take precedence over being offensive? It should be noted that you can never make everyone happy. We do have freedom of speech, expression, and the press which allows us to step on others' toes. We actually discussed this issue in relation to this cartoon in my American Mass Media History class today. The underlying question, which my professor posed at the end of our discussion is, "Would you publish the cartoon?"

Tony Keel; S.L.U.H., 2006

As much as I may not like what other people have to say, we should always let them say it, even in this circumstance. That was a really low thing for the Danish to do, but the Arab world has blown it way out of proportion. The radical Islamic clerics and such have just one more reason to go after the West, including us, who had nothing to do with it. American and European Muslims are not taking up arms though; some people are definitely manipulating the situation.

Tianay Pulphus; Jennings High School, 2009

You CAN NOT please everyone. To tell you the truth you can't even really and truly please the majority. If we say that it is not okay to publish these "mocking" and "offensive" cartoons, then each time someone felt as though they were "offended" and/or "mocked" we would have to change the rules for them. If I may recall correctly, once segregation and slavery were finally declared unconstitutional, there were many who didn't like that and actually KILLED people (not made insulting cartoons). Plus, if slavery and segregation was okay (before it was declared unconstitutional) what in the world is sooo bad about a CARTOON!!! Also, we publish cartoons about politicians, lawyers, and other occupations all the time. If we can cover up "mocking" and "offending" them by saying it is constitutional also, then why can't we do the same for these people. Not to mention the fact that we all will have our own opinions about things and we are able to express them (even if it upsets others). The framers of our constitution knew that the world would change and people would try to change things on each and every little whim that they had. That is why they wrote it in such a way. It is in my opinion that these people just need to "take a chill pill."