I don't answer to the state

We have the right to be rude. It's not a cost-free right; being rude shouldn't be. It marginalizes us socially; removes us from polite company; loses us friends. A business -- such as a magazine -- that is offensive may lose readers, advertisers and even staff and investors.

Publishing the Danish cartoons wasn't rude -- by western, liberal standards. It wasn't even rude by the standards of most Muslims, especially most Canadian Muslims. Even radical Muslims only "decided" to riot in places like Iran and Syria when those two dictatorships had a need for an anti-Western riot -- not because any of the rioters actually saw the cartoons.

I was happy to answer for the conduct of our magazine to anyone who asked -- reporters, readers, the public in general. I probably get asked about the decision once a week, and it's been two years now. But I won't explain myself to the government.

I have about ten more clips I plan to post over the course of the weekend. Many of them are in the same vein, but there are a few moments that are illuminating, including an off-hand comment made by my inquisitor.