Monday, April 24, 2006
Bad words
When it comes to dealing with Europe's Muslim populations, the old "Sticks and stones ..." proverb is out, particularly the "words can never hurt me" part. These days, the update goes: "Say words that hurt me and I'll blow up a train." As an EU official explained non-emotively, "The basic idea is to avoid the use of improper words that could cause frustration among Muslims and increase the risk of radicalization."
I'm a little skeptical myself. Though I suppose one could say I've become radicalized by my experience at NYU, which is probably the closest I've come to being a repressed minority, white male that I am.
