Quote of the Day: Multiculti Diversity and the Law in an Open Society

Short and sweet from a British commentator:

diversity cannot work unless all are equal under the law.

The whole piece is worth a look, including this explanation of the previous (the last paragraph is spot on):

That is, we cannot in good faith judge the beliefs and standards of the law-abiding majority by the excesses and ghastliness of a few. No-one of sound mind disputes that radical Islamism is a real threat. Nor does anyone dispute that there's a problem with "home-grown" radicalism. The question is how we minimise and in time, we hope, eradicate these problems. Turning everything into a Them and Us struggle is just about the last thing we could do to achieve those goals.

Instead, however, we get up in arms every time a chip shop ceases to sell pork products or when any muslim declines to reject any and every aspect of sharia law. See! They're winning! We cannot permit a Chip Shop Gap.

This doesn't mean one need accept the horrors of honour killings and the like, sweeping them away as an unfortunate price of multiculturalism. Not at all. That kind of barbarism demands to met by the law, not understanding. Nor is it unreasonable to expect that acceptance is a two way street. You may certainly protest the publication of The Satanic Verses or the production of a play you consider blasphemous but your protests must be peaceful and you have no right to demand that you may not be offended by the perfectly reasonable and lawful actions of others. That's life and even if you don't like it you must lump it. The British muslim has the same rights - and no more - as the British Jew or the British Roman Catholic or the British Hindu or the British Anglican. The same responsibilities too, for that matter.