Wow.  That was a frightening interview.  And frustrating, because it seems like so many of the issues we're dealing with today could be solved through dialogue between the masses on each side.

I still stand by my view that freedom of speech must be near-absolute, and that the only exception should come when that speech is designed to incite violence.  Racism is horrible, but freedom includes the freedom to think as you wish.  Pat Robertson is a homophobic piece of garbage, but he should not be thrown into jail for it.

It does seem as though the laws in Europe may be doing more harm than good on the international level, because the politicians and reporters are clearly more than willing to use this issue as a weapon.

One way or another, that interview serves to show how dangerous organized religion is and has always been.  It encourages Groupthink and implies a belief in each person that his God is the "right" God.  And when you start from that point, there is no end to what you can justify to yourself.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.