New York Times columnist Tom Friedman had an interesting insight on Imus in the Morning, Friday. The controversy he referred to reminded me of Tammany Hall. How so?

Many in the Islamic world have been offended by the recent publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. One has him adorned with a bomb-shaped turban on his head.

Well, a cartoon – and the reaction it may cause – is hardly a new issue, is it?

In the US, during the 1870′s, Boss Tweed was the frequent recipient of some rather nasty cartoons from Thomas Nast. Tweed is purported to have stated something like, “Stop them damned pictures. I don’t care so much what the papers say about me. My constituents can’t read. But, damn it, they can see pictures!”

Friedman’s point? The Islamists don’t seem to have a problem with broadcasting photos and video of Jill Carroll, the reporter they have kidnapped. They don’t seem to have a problem with kidnapping people. They don’t have a problem with the murder of reporters. But, they don’t like the cartoons.

Isn’t this, regardless of your views on the matter, all about “knowing your audience”? It may be that they realize we – in the west – will not react to certain acts the way they do. Maybe they understand audience better than we do, in some instances? OK, we did invade Iraq – but, it wasn’t because of a cartoon.  And, the newspapers that printed the ‘toons knew it would cause a stir, but probably not this kind of violent reaction.  Buildings are being burned – like Embassies in Syria.  People will likely die.
Some of the papers that ran the cartoons are now backtracking. One has fired the editor that allowed the cartoons to be published.

Yes, it is also about freedom of the press and more (and other issues), but in the aftermath – the crisis management – it ‘could’ have been averted by simply knowing the audience. Then, of course, there is also the discussion about what is freedom worth, etc. “Do we accept the fallout from our actions?” Wonder if that happened here?

But, along the line of “audience” – what can we learn from this?

Do we not remember The Satanic Verses – by Salman Rushdie? How’s Salman doin’ these days? Getting out much?

Christian fundamentalists in this country have resorted to murder over abortion issues. So, it isn’t as if the Muslims are alone in this type of reaction. And, I remember once seeing a depiction of Christ as an aborted fetus, once. Yes, a very bizarre illustration. So, some of those people did both things – created the offending cartoons and the committed the violent acts.

Reporters without borders has issued an appeal for calm in response to the death threats, and more, that this controversy has unleashed.

Here is an interesting perspective on the controversy:

From the Globe and Mail (subscription required): What would Prophet Mohammed have done?By TAREK FATAH

Friday, February 3, 2006, Page A17

Keep to forgiveness (O Mohammed), and enjoin kindness, and turn away from the ignorant.

The Koran, Chapter 7, Verse 199

During his lifetime, Prophet Mohammed endured insults and ridicule on a daily basis. His opponents mocked his message and used physical violence to stop him from challenging the status quo.

Should anyone really be surprised by this outcry from Muslims?

Certainly their actions of violence cannot be condoned. But, was it not expected? If not, then some people are waking up to a realization of deep personal ignorance today.

For Christians, Jesus experienced much the same ridicule. For Jews, well – we all know the horrible reality of the holocaust. And, the holocaust really did happen, in case you are wondering.

Tarek Fatah’s column seems to have put it in proper perspective.

CNN had some rational discussion from experts on Islamic culture. That was refreshing to see. But, I don’t expect much of that perspective from print or broadcast media in the coming days. How do you think blogs will handle it?

The strange thing? In the past, I would have likely written “fair and balanced” about my hopes for coverage and commentary on this topic. But, as we all know, Fox News has made that phrase a punchline. Again, audience. Fox’s audience loves that phrase. Their detractors see it as a charicature of rational news.

Every time I see a journalist make disparaging comments about public relations, I just silently think of these types of examples. I don’t think “today’s” traditional journalism always serves us well, either.

Saddest thing about this? Just like the Newsweek “Koran flushing story” – this publication of cartoons may lead to deaths. The death threats are already out there.

Has everyone forgotten about “audience”? The cartoonists and editors may well have thought this through. If so, they will have to deal with the consequences. Wonder if they had a crisis plan in place for this one? I kinda doubt the word “contingency” came up when they considered running the cartoons.