When my little girl snatches away her brother’s toy and runs with it he often retaliates by whacking her upside the head with something. I invariably scold him for this, reminding him that beating up his sister is an inappropriate response to the provocation.

There’s lots of inappropriate responses in the news, but most recently there’s this immense brouhaha over some editorial cartoons published by a Danish newspaper. A brouhaha which includes burning embassies and killing people. Now folks, I’m sorry - it doesn’t matter how offensive you find those images, burning buildings and killing folks is an entirely inappropriate response.

This, however, is an entirely appropriate response:
Iran Daily Holds Holocaust Cartoon Contest

And to all those folks who are now bleating about what a dastadly trick this is, listen up. The rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” are, I know, an American value-set, but they are also ones with which most people would agree. Please notice how in there there’s no “right” not to be offended. Getting miffed by the things other folks say is the price we pay for having the freedom to say what we like ourselves. Deal with it.