(moved to top for Rawlco radio listeners – scroll down for new entries)
Via reader Michael Stuber;
An offering by the University of Saskatchewan publication, the Sheaf, which chose not to publish the Jyllands-Posten cartoons out of respect for Islam.
Read this too, from former Sheaf news editor Jeremy Warren.
Related – Too many Christians, not enough lions? (link fixed)
Lost Budgie weighs in.
Update – from the comments, University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon has reportedly issued the following by email;
I feel I must publicly communicate with our campus community on what I have just seen in the student newspaper.
In the February 23 edition of the Sheaf, the editors explained that they would not publish the controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. It is surprising that they did not exercise similar restraint in their decision to publish ‘Capitalist Piglet’ in the March 2 issue of the paper. This is a cartoon that is certain to cause distress to members of our community. It has divisive shock value only and does nothing to advance the understanding or debate for which universities should be distinguished.
The Sheaf should apologize to us all.
Peter MacKinnon
President
Monday March 6 update: The cartoonist “Y!th” responds in the comments – after a fashion. Just keep scrolling
The heat is on now – Rawlco radio news is reporting the story, as is the local CTV affiliate. The story out of the Sheaf is that the publication of this cartoon was an error – a breakdown in the editorial review process, or something to that effect – and that an apology will be forthcoming in the next issue. (One is already up at their website). The managing editor Will Robbins,has tendered his resignation, but so far, hasn’t spoken publicly.
I’ll tell you why I’m not buying this – the Sheaf was out for days before the explanation and apology were offered. Editorial mis-step? Does the staff not read their own paper after publication? A true error would have been proactively addressed and an apology/retraction issued immediately. It would have also been yanked from the website.
Not until the cartoon was featured here, and the media began to pick up on the story did anyone see fit to respond.
A new blog, Boycott the Sheaf has awarded the “ULTIMATE HYPOCRITICAL
ADVERTISING AWARD” to McNally Robinson Booksellers, who pulled the Western Standard magazine from the shelves because they contained the Jyllands-Posten cartoons in the context of a news story.
Mar.7 Update
Saskatoon Star Phoenix has now picked up the story.
Well… he was Jewish, so kosher’d be in. Why publish something like and not the Muslim parodies? I’d be worried about Christians marching in protest and possibly burning down the University, but they’d all stop at the front entrance, remember their tax dollars paid for the school, and just end going into one of the Campus bars for a drink.
ahhh students, smart enough to figure out which morality is “correct”
so much smarter than the rest of us.
I get your point, nevertheless, I would not want to be of the comic all star duo, when the day comes that they stand before the Judge of all the earth, and they will; you can take that fact to the bank!
This is why we love the blogosphere, think you would ever see this in the MSM? Have you tried to get a comment from the sheaf Kate?
hmmmm….
deference to islam, baseless slander against christianity.
I am not a christian, but this cartoon is pointlessly insulting to many people.
There is no way to coherently oppose the printing of the danish cartoons and print this. This is complete hypocrisy.
I support free expression universally, but to deny it for some ideas and then to print this is absurd.
Good to see the U of S is turning out lots of future Dipper slaves for the Caliphate. Perhaps it is time to consider letting the University fundraise privately and get off the taxpayer teat. I am sure the Wahhabi sects could find some cash for like-minded progressives.
Having received my BA from the U of S (Saskatoon) in 1966, I am very disappointed with this biased and unbalanced stance of the Sheaf. This rag obviously respects only Muslims but not Christians or Jews. And so continues, the “I hate the West” syndrome of the so-called Academia and MSM. The left suffers from a gigantic inferiority complex.
Just my humble opinion but I think it makes the cartoonist and editor look stupid as opposed to causing any genuine insult to Christianity. Why I would fire the editor is obviously they’re a complete and utter moron and are doing a disservice to the student body by not performing their editorial duties by covering an dpresenting information that is useful to students. The Mohammed cartoons asked some serious questions about the acceptance of certain values in Islam that need debate – specifically the fact a suicide bomber would earn 72 virgins. This cartoon has no value whatsoever, asks no deep meaningful questions and is an insult to the intelligence of EVERYONE who reads it.
Proof of the late former BC Judge and Vancouver Sun Columnist, Les Bewley’s oft reported contention that we could replace all Liberal Arts Colleges / Faculties with Library Cards.
Is it 72 virgins they get? I always thought it was 19. When did it go up?
Actually, I would hope that muslims would be offended by this as well, given that they “honour” Jesus as a prophet.
But, of course, the chances of any muslim organizations (or any institution of significance) making an issue of this are slim to none.
Everyone knows that student papers are overwhelmingly staffed by hippie/ndp/post-modern types and therefore pay little attention to them anyway.
Kate: This is a wonderful example of the convoluted reasoning of the leftist rabble who “think” they are for free speech. They are so drunk on the freedom of our society that they’ve lost all perspective. They are the spoiled brats of virtually unlimited freedoms, who see Christians as more dangerous than Muslim Fanatics and Free Enterprise as more dangerous than coersive socialism. The cartoon you feature is a picture into the minds of these Socialist Utopians. They are completely intolerant while preaching tolerance; hateful while preaching acceptance, coersive while preaching peace, and despotic in their approach to freedom.
As long as they are a minority, we are safe.
Just curious, how many of you are university grads that would have considered themselves liberal, until after a few years of maturity when you became conservative?
Here’s one.
Anyone else?
What do you think about this idea floating out there that the Marxists and Leftists consciously took hold of the universities.
If you’re a Liberal, how do you deny this?
Wow, mind numbing stupidity and cowardice – what a combination.
Can you imagine what self-indulgent ass would think this was witty social comment? I have no problem with disgusting or outrageous humour, I’m a big South Park fan, but satire has to provide insight and it has to be funny.
Editorial Policy? Shmeditorial Smolicy? The Sheaf, a voice for Saskatchewan “progressives” since 1912. +
“The Sheaf will not publish any racist, sexist, homophobic, or libelous material.”
What is the editorial policy of the newspaper?
The Managing Editor(s) have the right to veto any submission they deem unfit for the Society newspaper.
In determining this they will decide if the article or artwork would be of interest to a significant portion of the society and benefit the welfare of the readers.
The Sheaf will not publish any racist, sexist, homophobic, or libelous material. +
http://www.thesheaf.com/about/
It’s nice to see cartoons like this. The more the left reveals their stupidity and bias, the better it is.
Sadly, they need to have it pointed out to them, because the University teaches them what to think, not how to think.
I guess if it is offence they were trying to achieve, then mission accomplished.
I hope the Dean of the Univesrsity and Alimni supporters are reading this right now. I have 4 sons. One of them has a pending enrollment application sitting on someones desk right now. In light of this double standard, perhaps it is time to rethink which institution deserves our hard earned money and support!
I guess we are closer to the end than I thought:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” 2Tim 3:1-4
Not surprised but disappointed
Don’t give me this freedom of expression bullsh*t.Western Standard and others are printing these and other insulting pieces to become part of the story and tap it for all the notoriety and free publicity they can get their greedy little hands on.
Wouldn’t it be sweet irony if some crazy christians blew up the U of S?
After having a quick look around the paper’s site it is quite clear that these kids are too stupid to know any better. One seems to think that the use of the word f*ck is somehow good writing. Like many students they are out to shock and be noticed.
I for one am not willing to pay any attention to these children while they act out.
Though it is troubling to see the state of the student paper it should not come as a shock. I would enjoy the opportunity to draft the lot. A little drill and PT might go a long way to turning them into productive citizens. National service is an excellent solution for a bad upbringing and lack of manners. It also tends to put a damper on whingeing and moaning.
I think the problem of the predominantly leftist academia in Canada is a result of there not being a proper mix of private and non-private universities in Canada.
The funding for the non-private universities should be discontinued. It would be a good experience for these institutions of higher learning to become more self sufficient when it comes to fund raising.
Perhaps we would see more nobel prizes issued to academic staff as a result of it, since they would have to hussle to produce truly well educated people and to become more prolific in doing research.
JC is such a nice target.
HE made good grist for the mill, in the “Life of Brian.” Loved the stuff about the crucified doing the two step from the cross singing:
“Always look at the bright side of death.”
Alternately, the guys at the back of the crowd during the sermon on the Beatitudes saying to each other:
“What did HE say, ‘Blessed are the cheesemakers.’?” Then expositorily positing that Christ didn’t mean cheesemakers per se but had a wider net to include “all those involved in the dairy industry”.
Enough to make one be seized by mad cow disease, I say!!
I didn’t see all the Christians in Europe
during the Monty Python 1960s rise up and burn down British embassies across the continent.
Fortunately, for the West there is this concept called forgiveness, rather than the dispensation of so called Divine justice by its proponents.
So if you go to Church on Sunday it is because God has adopted you as HIS sons and daughters.
In short, you belong to the forgiven “Bigger Bastards Club”; which includes the usual assortment of hypocrites, moneygrubbers, the sick, disturbed, failures, ‘normal people’ and the occassional saint. Its members are those who recognize to varying degrees their need for redemption.
Now if I got arrogant, we would send the author of cartoon about two cents of lead travelling at high speed for being an offensive son of bitch and send them off to meet their Maker.
This of course presumes that one can arrogate to oneself what the Divine mind is thinking; which may be a greater leap of faith than the proposition of faith itself. It takes a bit of a simpleton to suggest to God: “Hey your sitting in my seat, so get the HELL out MY way.”
Of course, the cartoon is intended to be provocative; but there is nothing there that says you have to ‘take the bait’ and get all exercised about it. The best that can be said about the cartoon is to simply ignore it.
Yep, Jesus in bed with the capitalists and manifest destiny etc, etc. It is trite Marxian drivel. No mature person of faith would be offended by another’s stupidity. It is not in the Constitution but freedom of speech also includes the freedom to be a jackass, something JC rode on, if I recall!
Yep, I’m bucking for you. HEE HAW.
Now back to financial planning, like a good little capitalist because after all they screw everybody. Oh please.
Somebody direct this moron to the parable of the talents.
“What do you think about this idea floating out there that the Marxists and Leftists consciously took hold of the universities.” [?]
In a university setting, today, it is almost impossible to present an argument in favour of capitalism, western forms of government, the beneficial contributions of the united states or the u.k., or western culture without being accused of being sexist, racist, facist, uneducated, or a redneck.
Every time, during my years at school, that I had something good to say about, for example, free trade, I was greeted by horror and rage by some members of the faculty.
Oddly enough, most of the biased majority of faculty were from the 60’s baby-boom period, whereas most of the reasonable ones were either older (still holding to the traditions of free debate) or gen x (cynical about socialist plattitudes).
But overall, you are very right that the atmosphere on (most) university campuses is hostile to free expression and suffocated by political correctness.
Pator Wally, are you the wild man from Winnipeg?
Sorry, should be pastor Wally!
Maybe i’m a little slow but I’m not quite sure what point they are trying to make.
When I was at Queen’s, I wouldn’t call myself totally a lefty because I was still socially conservative, but I was a Marxist in terms of the-capitalists-are-all-crooks type, and I was quite a feminist, if you subtract the abortion and lesbian platforms from it (which, as I found out, was very difficult to do).
One of the things I am most ashamed of in my life is when, as a teaching assistant in a sociology class, I let the other girls belittle the one boy who dared speak up and say that maybe day care wasn’t the best thing for all children, and maybe we should think that a mom might, just might, want to stay home. And I remember marking his papers very critically, because he was so SEXIST.
I wish I could find him now and apologize.
I am so embarrassed of who I was then. I consider my education one of the worst frauds in history. And I have no idea what I am going to do with my children’s education. I hope they go into the sciences.
“Don’t give me this freedom of expression bullsh*t.Western Standard and others are printing these and other insulting pieces to become part of the story and tap it for all the notoriety and free publicity they can get their greedy little hands on.
Wouldn’t it be sweet irony if some crazy christians blew up the U of S?”
So there is a problem with Newspapers reporting news?
Or is there a problem with newspapers showing people images that are the subject of the news?
If some “crazy christians” blow up anything, it will be the fault of the people that commit the crime, not the people who publish the cartoon. Just like it was the fault of people who rioted for the riots in Iran, not the fault of the Danes.
But I doubt it will happen.
It would appear, at a glance, that these leftish students regard fellatio as praying.
I suppose when one considers the obsession they have with sex, homosexuality, lesbianism, workshops on masturbation and so on, it’s not surprising that perverted sex is a religion to them. Orgasm is a ‘rapture’ of sorts … even better … you can go through over and over again.
If a parasite happens to form, just vacuum it right of there and carry on with poplulation reduction.
This is a perfect example of why there should be no restrictions of freedom of expression.
If they can’t print it, we don’t know what they are thinking and are thus unable to make informed decisions about them and their actions.
“the Sheaf”, I know you now.
“UoS”, I know your students and faculty now.
I find this “cartoon” highly offensive, but it has told me what I need to know.
I guess the proper way to show my displeasure with this cartoon is to hunt down the cartoonist and cut off his/her head while yelling ‘G-d is great’.
I’ll make sure to get right on that, after I sell my soul to the devil of course. I hear he’s got a good deal going on Alf pogs.
The editors of the sheaf are cowards. Cowards.
Mr. C.J. Mullen
“I for one am not willing to pay any attention to these CHILDREN while they act out.”
Let’s see, the age of the university student is between 18-30. Last time I checked this is old enough to be treated as an adult with consequences in any other context. While what they do here is “childish” along with a few other more colorful adjectives I could use…they are not children.
Nothing will ne done about this as it is obvious that the academic and media institutions of this province and nation are cowards when it comes to facing a real threat to free speech from the radical Muslims but bold when it comes to offending and insulting those who have until now been some of their most ardent supporters.
The irony of it all is that if those of us who are of the Christian or Jewish faith were to protest or question this cartoon, we would be insulted and derided for questioning their rights to free speech.
“Draft the lot.”…The sooner the better Mr. Mullen, you can have them. Get them off the streets and out of academia…they are an embarassment to those who fought to give them the right to free speech. With any freedom comes a measured responsibility… mature behavior understands this.
Maranatha
If Islamic terrorism has taught us nothing else it is that is you blow things up you get your way! Maybe Christianity could take this lesson to heart and get some respect. Oh, wait, “thou shall not kill.” Too bad, thought I was on to something for a sec!
Actually, go to http://www.thesheaf.com and check out the most recent print version (March 2). Not only is this cartoon on there, but 4 of 5 of the cartoons have some negative view about Christianity.
Brave, independent, progressive souls indeed.
Hi everyone, I’m a health care student at the University of Sask. and was pretty disgusted that my student paper would print these. Although the paper has never really printed anything informational or even entertaining this has really crossed my line and the lines of a lot of students. The Sheaf, however, doesn’t really take criticism well and rarely publishes letters that cast it in a negative light. I was hoping that maybe if they received a large volume, they’d print some, or maybe even an apology.
The Sheaf: editor@thesheaf.com
or failing that, let the University president, Peter Mackinnon know about it:
peter.mackinnon@usask.ca
If you could write even a small message about your displeasure, it’d really help out the students on campus.
Disgusting hypocrisy. The Thugs not only are winning this battle, they are converting new thugs. These students are brainwashed idiots who think they actually have something to say. Time to wake up, fellow Westerners. We are at war.
Jeff in NC
We are indeed at war on two fronts with Islam and with our own misguided, mentally disordered Left.
We must beat the Left before we can beat anyone else. They are the ‘enemy within’ and are a dangerous as any other enemy sworn to end out western way of life.
Michael S
I will be happy to take your suggestion and support the students who find this has crossed the line by writing both the rag and Mr Mackinnon.
Maranatha
Maranatha – Thanks. Despite what the Sheaf shows, it doesn’t represent all the students on campus, it doesn’t represent hardly any of us at all. The University is generally a fine institution, but this is putting a bad name on the students and the entire province.
Dang, I must be getting old because I just browsed the Sheaf’s latest edition (to see if there was anything meaningful) and found out they have a Carnival of Sex there! There must be some really long cold winter nights up in Saskabush.
In my day (arrrgh!) I thought the Engineer’s annual Lady Godiva ride through the commons area (in april)was riske. Our tax dollars at work. I’m also sure that there is more than one set of parents that have either sold the farm (literally) or spent their retirement trying to get their young educated.
I had the pleasure of attending a speech by Salman Rushdie last night at Claremont McKenna College. As someone who has personal experience of Islamic ‘sensitivity,’ he had some interesting things to say about the Danish cartoon controversy. To paraphrase in no particular order (as I was unable to record it – although it may be replayed on C-Span):
‘If I were a picture editor, I would have only published one of the cartoons: the one where Mohammed says that there are no more virgins left, as it is the only one with a punchline. That said, the minute there was violence, the cartoons were no longer the story – the violence became the story. Once there was violence, we had an obligation to demonstrate that we are not fearful. The only way to do that was to repeat the act, which meant republishing the cartoons. What under other circumstances would have been rude became required.’
…
‘What we need are muslim leaders who will stand up and say that it is okay for Islam to be lampooned, that in a free society everyone agrees to take their lumps and that muslims will take theirs. Instead, what we have are leaders saying that Islam should be exempted from ridicule. In a free society there can be no no-go areas; without freedom of expression there are no other freedoms.’
…
‘The Suffi mystical tradition in Kashmir and the Shia minature portrait tradition in Iran are the two greatest traditions in Islamic art, both of which have represented the prophet. To say that there is a prohibition on representing the prophet is a lie – and many in the West unthinkingly accepted it as the truth.’
…
‘One of the most controversial of the Danish cartoons, the one where ‘Mohammed’ has a bomb in his hat is not even a representation of Mohammed. The face of that cartoon is that of the most radical muslim cleric in Denmark – the one that toured the Middle-East displaying the cartoons. Further, in Denmark there is a saying ‘may an apple fall into your hat’ which means good luck; ‘may a bomb fall into your hat’ is fairly self-explanatory in this context, a context that would have been immediately evident to people in Denmark. If we had been able to have an honest discussion about the cartoons, facts such as these would have come out – the violence precluded that possibility.’
When I was a lad in school, I was perhaps a bit of a leftie… save the whales and all that, but it was tempered by memories of travels to Peru, when the Socialists took over.
It’s easy being a leftie, and supporting leftist ideals. Until the piper comes to collect the bill.
I remember our family ranch at the foothills of the Ande’s… nothing but rock and desert all around it, yet it stood out like a piece of emerald amidst all the dry arid landscape. Well watered land, with 500 horse, 50 race horses, employing close to 75 people.
One day the Socialists came and said we had to give half of everything to the locals. They split the property right down the middle, including the house.
What a house, 5000 square foot ranch-style layout. Marble everywhere. It was my families pride and joy. Manicured gardens all around.
I went back 2 years after as a favor to a family member on some business. Our half of the property was still a beautiful emerald green. The other half was rotting, dry desert. The house was a mess on one side, and the animals that had been turned over to the locals were long dead.
Socialism is wonderful in theory, but unfortunately fails in practice. There’s never any follow through to support that which is attempted. Whats the point of giving people land if they can’t manage it?
We don’t go back there anymore, it’s just to sad.
Yep, it’s easy to piss on things when you 20… it’s a lot harder when you get older, and have to work for what you get.
Everytime I pay tax’s, I think of that damn ranch, and those bloody communists shouting “We are here to free the people, free their minds, free them from their chains of oppression”.
Hmmpf… at least when we had the ranch, they ate, and had a place to sleep. The children went to school, and they had good medical.
All they had left after a couple of years were dry lumps of dirt, and a few thousands of scrap metal, but their were free right? Luckily the Commies got the boot. Never got the other half of the ranch back though.
It’s easy to profess a leftist doctrine, and piss on everything that smacks of institutionalism. Right up until you need something done.
The Sheaf seems to have the same policy as does the CBC, i.e. show tolerance only toward those religious faiths that might hurt you if offended.
wow.
Very instructive story.
I guess that’s why they call socialism the “anti-everything-that-works” movement.
Doug: Your: Just curious, how many of you are university grads that would have considered themselves liberal, until after a few years of maturity when you became conservative?
Good point. As Margaret Thatcher put it, “The facts of life are conservative”.
Michael S, do local businesses that advertise in this paper know what this student paper prints?
Would be good to update them too;)
Nothing that free market tuition fees wouldn’t solve, maybe?
[begin sarcasm]
Please, you don’t think a paper that views capitalists as pig would willingly and knowingly take money from businesses (who exist to *gasp* make profit)do you?
That would be completely hypocritical and i would be SHOCKED if such a fine paper would do such a thing!
[end sarcasm]
You want to get people back down to earth? You want people to take civics more seriously? You want people to stop with their moral relativism?
Bring back mandatory military service. 2 years of military service for everyone after highschool will eliminate PC/Leftist idiocy forever.
People lost their perspective when they lost their fear of being the one to take the bullet. Modern westerners have not seen hardship or death. They do not have an appreciation for the threats that they are kept safe from so they should be forced to be the one to do the safekeeping for a while.
This cartoon is under Page A16 if you download the pdf. I’m going to write these intellects and see if they publish it…
Soup,
I’m not a wild man from Winnipeg, just a fool from Saskatoon. (Seen on the front of a sandwich board: “I’m a fool for Christ”; on the back: “Whose fool are you?”