Let me be as clear as possible. Pastor Terry Jones is an asshole. A festering, rotting mass of bigoted bile shaped like a human being. He has the singular talent of making enemies, and his every goal in life appears to be intentionally provoking those he hates. He is a philosophical cousin of Westboro Baptist Church's Fred Phelps. But Jones didn't do anything wrong. He didn't harm anyone. Jones made a video that insulted Islam. Nothing more.

Yesterday, riots broke out in Egypt over a video Jones and several Egyptian Coptic Christians made demonizing Muslims. While we slept last night, four American diplomats to Libya, including the American ambassador, were murdered. The initial response of the government was to place the blame squarely on Jones, not those who irrationally overreacted with violence:

"The Embassy of the United States in Cairo, condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims — as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others."

Wrong answer! Religious beliefs do not automatically garner respect, nor do they deserve it. Only religious believers do (not that that means they are immune from criticism). While I understand that the government is trying not to exacerbate an already tense situation, this was entirely the wrong tact. When a fatwa was issued for Salman Rushdie after he wrote "The Satanic Verses," did we blame him for the death sentence? In making such a statement, the government is basically saying that free speech is to blame.

The only thing that should be condemned here is the murder of four innocent Americans. Not words. Americans, even fucking, deluded, asshole ones, have a right to say whatever they want about any religion. Freedom, rightly exercised, does not require apology. And freedom of speech is non-negotiable. Our citizens can say whatever they want, because by valuing even offensive speech, we protect the rights of all speech. We either confront these sorts of irrational, monstrous actions now or sit back and watch as this pattern of behavior, far older than the outrage generated several years ago over "Draw Mohammed Day," becomes institutionalized. These actions are incompatible with individual liberty and we should not be shy in saying so.

There is no justification for murder. None. Certainly not the "sticks and stones" defense. I don't give a damn if someone insulted the blessed prophet or little baby Jesus. If your response to non-violent criticism is violence, I know all I need to know about your faith and the god you serve.

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