While the rest of the Muslim world is screaming and blowing things up over a cartoon, Morocco has been fairly quiet.  While the Middle Eastern countries are boycotting Danish products, Puck brand cheese is flying off the shelves at Label'Vie and Marjane. 

What?  I thought a visual aid would help.

Anyhow, what I truly don't understand is this...A Danish newspaper publishes a cartoon depicting the Muslim prophet (pbuh) wearing a bomb turban (I haven't actually seen the photos here, as you might imagine).  Not cool by any standards, and totally provoking Muslims.  BUT...what better way to prove that those Danish newspapers are wrong than to...strap bombs onto yourselves.  Riiight.  I wish I knew what they were thinking.

And honestly, I'm not even arguing that this is an issue of free speech.  Of course I support free speech.  Of course.  But do I think that provoking religious people by depicting their beloved prophet as a bomb-toting maniac is a good idea?  Hell no.  I'm tired of hearing the Danish government bitch and moan and dig themselves into an even bigger hole in an attempt to separate themselves from their newspapers...Yes, I understand the state doesn't run the paper, yes I understand that you have no control.  Okay, whiny Danes...you're just really not helping your situation.

As far the Muslims are concerned, well...After living here for six months (and hell, even before I got here), I can say with complete certainty that Islam is not a violent religion.  And living amongst the complacent (and almost slacker-like) Moroccans as I do, I have even less of an understanding of the rest of the so-called "Muslim world."  In particular the Middle East.  If you ask me, it seems time for a change.

I may go home for a brief respite in April.  Aside from an aching wisdom tooth that I may or may not bother to take care of, I'm itching for some good pizza, some good beer, some other unmentionables.  Some trashy magazines.  I guess one might say I'm itching for a taste of home.