Freedom Index Drops Again

Chart via The Economist. Freedom House:

The Middle East remained the most repressive region in the world, and some countries that had previously moved forward slipped back from Partly Free into the Not Free category. Africa suffered the most significant declines, and four countries experienced coups.

This year’s findings reflect the growing pressures on journalists and new media, restrictions on freedom of association, and repression aimed at civic activists engaged in promoting political reform and respect for human rights.

Iran, Russia and China most notably.

More. Apropos, Tony Blankley:

Radical Islam doesn't have to win elections (or even win street riots) if they win by intimidation the policies and conduct they seek. For example, as I warned in my book (and came about in the Danish cartoon event a few years ago), the threat of radical Muslim violence succeeded in coercing all but two American newspapers, and most European newspapers from exercising their free speech and press right to publish the Danish cartoons.

In fact just a few weeks ago , the cartoonist, Kurt Westergaard was attacked in his home by a Somali Muslim aroused by the alleged blasphemy. Shockingly, most European journalistic commentary argued that western writers and artists should , for prudence sake, abstain from such expression.

But it is worse than imprudent for Americans (or Europeans) to give up freedoms and ways of life that have been defended for centuries by the martial sacrifice of our ancestors (and current warriors) - and by the intellectual courage of our writers and artists - just because our morally feeble, self-proclaimed "educated class" and elites have lost the will to defend our civilization.

Breaking. Saudi dressed in pilot's uniform held at Manila airport Will the Islamophobia never end?