Protesters attack US diplomatic compounds in Egypt, Libya

[Silent Hunter]

Yes, because a crowd of crazies obviously constitutes the feelings of the entire country and invalidate that country's successful attempt to topple a tyrannical madman.

[Silent Hunter]

The Pentagon is concerned about the safety of the people on the ground carrying out American diplomatic missions.  It's not like the Pentagon can stop people from talking, but I think it's perfectly ok for them to ask, since, as the last few days have made clear, this stuff can cause uproars against American government workers in other countries that turn deadly.

I agree. It's their right to ask this, as its the diplomats and the military guards who will be victims of this.

[Silent Hunter]

What is the case again for having any embassies at all in these troubled Arab hotspots?  In the internet age, just why do you need high profile bricks and mortar in "bad places?" 

I am asking this as a serious question. Thanks.

Not everyone has the internet - in 2010, only 5.5% of Libyans did.

[Silent Hunter]

In my personal opinion, the people behind this film need to face a civil lawsuit (at least) for gross negligence manslaughter.

[Silent Hunter]

In my personal opinion, the people behind this film need to face a civil lawsuit (at least) for gross negligence manslaughter.

So you'd effectively outlaw blasphemy because of the way some react to it on the other side of the world?

This isn't "blasphemy" - it's a calculated attempt to cause maximum offence by people who should have known what would happen if they did this.

[Silent Hunter]

If this had been done in the UK, then the charge would be incitement to religious and racial hatred, no question.

[Silent Hunter]

Indeed, they've jailed at least two people in the last year because of things said on the internet.  While they ain't the PRC or Thailand, they still suck.

No, they just know that free speech is the right to express your opinions on issues, instead of punching people in the face with words.

[Silent Hunter]

No, the entire point of having freedom of speech is to protect unpopular words.

There's unpopular and there is offensive.

[Silent Hunter]

Oh, and BTW: I think it's also quite bad that Germany has now banned the US pastor, Terry Joney, from entering the country.

He's already banned from the UK.

[Silent Hunter]

No, the entire point of having freedom of speech is to protect unpopular words.

There's unpopular and there is offensive.

I don't like giving government the right to make that distinction. Never know what might become "offensive ".

They already do make that distinction. I can think of a number of laws in this matter - across Europe.

[Silent Hunter]

One of the actresses who "appeared" in the film is suing for defamation. Good, I say.