[Acrylic-bob]

Oddly enough, I have just been catching up on this particular story. Being a depraved infidel, and proud of it, I found myself deeply intrigued by what could possibly occasion such a long running uproar. These cartoons must be really savage, caustic and biting, I thought - I just have to see them!

So off I went in search of the images that have worked our muslim bretheren up into such a lather. To be honest, I wish I hadn't bothered and I urge any of you considering a similar search to find something more interesting to do. Not, I hasten to add, out of any misplaced considerations of political correctness, but simply because they are so unremarkable as to be embarassing.

Much has been made, on both sides of the Atlantic, about the protection of freedom of speech and expression as well as the independence of the media and it's right to call an issue as it sees it. And much of that is reasonable and right. Sadly, very little has been made of the comedic, aesthetic or cultural value of these cartoons. That is because they posess so little of either. I have seen caricatures of my primary school teacher which were funnier - what am I saying - I drew caricatures of my primary school teacher that were infinately funnier than those pathetic doodlings!

What are we left with? We have on the one hand sophisticated western nations who no longer have much respect for organised religion and who view anything as a legitimate target for examination, criticism and ridicule. Nations who are not afraid to laugh, not only at each other but, also at themselves without worrying that such laughter might usher in the end of civilisation as we know it.

On the other hand we have the members of an organised religion who have little understanding and less experience of the nature of the freedoms which the west enjoys and jealously guards. A religion which demands tolerance and respect for its traditions and beliefs from the rest of the world but offers none to those who do not subscribe to those traditions and beliefs. Indeed, a religion, some of whose adherants support barbaric acts of terrorism as a means of furthering their theocractic/political influence.

Remember, this is the same religion which sanctioned the murder of a respected author for having the temerity to ridicule one of its figure heads and advocates similar punishments for others who would be tempted to travel a similar path, as the Dutch film-maker Theo van Gogh discovered to his cost.

Aesthetic considerations aside, was the Danish newspaper right to publish the cartoons? Yes, I think it was. Were the other European Newspapers right to publish them in support? Again, yes. Is the Muslim over-reaction to the publication ridiculous? Certainly! Will anything written by me have any influence on the controversy? Certainly not. This row is set to become a political issue and since when has common sense had anything in common with politics?