Naturally, private citizens, religious groups, and government officials have spoken out against the book burning. However, the tone of these critics has been so urgent and emphatic–occasionally almost hysterical–that I find myself wondering if they do not protest too much. Why give so much attention to the moronic stunt of a few dozen Florida peckerwoods whose cumulative I.Q.’s would barely reach room temperature?

Of course, the planned burning is odious, but I wonder if the tone and volume of the condemnation do not also indicate a degree of intimidation. Are we afraid of what Muslims might do in reaction? There have already been anti-American demonstrations in Kabul and Indonesia in anticipation of the event. Are people so insistent that the Qur’an burning not take place out of fear of Muslim outrage? If so, we need to make absolutely clear what we consider sacred: Freedom of speech, even when it is odious, and even when it is the speech of a bigot or a halfwit. We need to make very clear to the “Muslim world” that we hold sacred the principle that we might disagree strongly with everything someone is saying, but defend to the death his right to say it. Shame on us if we let threats frighten us into retreating from that principle.