I'm surprised that it was offered and doubly surprised that he accepted it; he's let the side down, and joined the Establishment, just like Naipaul. Rushdie led the rennaisance... of 'Indian Writing in English' which became very poplular with new Commonwealth writers. His Midnight's Children brought in an an innovative and refreshing style to the novel, not seen since 'Tristram Shandy'; the normal sequence of a beginning, middle and an end was thrown out. His 'Satanic Verses' was a brave attempt to transform the medieval thinking that Islam is still trapped in and which poses the main threat to world peace, and security. Until the Muslim community face up to radical reform of Islam, we are in for some difficult years ahead.  

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There is more to Mr Rushdie than that novel which is why he is being awarded.

God knows the christians were angry at the jerry springer opera, the jews at the passion of the christ - but since when did there leaders use it to justify terrorism?

Quite shocking.

I think this was clearly a smear aimed at the iranian terror regime, and as such it should be welcomed.

I really don't think the majority of muslims even know who this man is, and even if they did, I don't think they would care all that much.

In the islamic world, there is a dangerous extremist leadership movement that is capable of stirring up shit at the drop of a hat.

We had the false accusations of korans being flushed down the loo at gitmo  - many people were killed in the subsequent protests.

And more recently, the cartoon affair.

The strange thing was, the protests didn't ignite until several months after the cartoon was published.

Rather strange don't you think?

So by my calculations, we can enjoy the summer without needing to worry about the consequences and then just see what is thrown at us come the autumn.

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I couldn't agree more.

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