Random House Cowers on Muhammad Book

Random House has decided not to publish The Jewel of Medina, a romance novel by American author Sherry Jones about Muslim prophet Muhammad and his wife Aisha. The publisher fears a Muslim backlash. A description of Muhammad's and Aisha's wedding night is considered offensive to some Muslims who might resort to violence.

Consequently, it can be assumed that the First Amendment to the Constitution now has an unwritten de facto rider stating that free speech must meet the approval of Muslims.

In other news, Danish editorial cartoonist Kurt Westergaard, creator of the Muhammad bomb-head cartoon, remains under police protection, hiding from Muslim fanatics. He has been charged in a Jordanian court with blasphemy but has indicated that he's not going to Jordan to be tried in a Sharia court.

Meanwhile, the two Tunisians suspected in a plot to kill Westergaard have their deportation cases tied up in Danish courts. One remains in detention, the other was released last Friday for self-deportation.

Furthermore, Dutchman Geert Wilders, creator of the film Fitna, faces jail if he goes to Jordan and is convicted of blasphemy and contempt for Muslims. It's believed that Wilders has also scratched Jordan from his travel itinerary.

In summary, while Dane Westergaard and Dutchman Wilders exhibit bravery by standing up for freedom of speech, Americans at Random House are spearheading the effort to turn the First Amendment into Muslim toilet paper.

Also: The Jawa Report