Which governments contributed to the costs of protecting Salman Rushdie?

[Boojatta]

Has Iran, the reason for the costs, contributed money?

Has Saudi Arabia, home of Mecca, contributed money?

Do people spend any money when they travel to Mecca?

Does the government of Saudi Arabia get any part of that money?

Have any of the people who are responsible for the threats against Rushdie ever visited Mecca?

Have any of the people who approve of the threats against Rushdie ever visited Mecca?

[etherealtruth]

1. I'm curious, has some (recent) event prompted this ?

I'm a fan of Rushdie's. I doubt any government that is based upon Islamic law has contributed any money to protecting his safety, I doubt any government with a predominantly large and conservative Islamic population contributes or cares about his safety ... but, I'm missing your point.

[Boojatta]

3. How about self-interest for any group that cares about world opinion?

Here's an analogy. Suppose I am wealthy and I tell you that you are the sole beneficiary of my last will and testament. A week later people see you and me shouting and arguing with each other in a posh restaurant. Some reporters take notes just in case there is something to report. The next day I am found murdered in my home.

Isn't it possible, even if you were completely innocent of killing me, that people might suspect you of murder? Isn't it possible that some segment of the general public could jump to the conclusion that you are a murderer?

Here's another one. Suppose I run a red light and injure you while you are enjoying your right of way to walk across the street. Suppose I say to the judge, "I hope the plaintiff dies from the injuries tonight so that I won't have to communicate with the plaintiff again." Would the judge be impressed by my honesty and be extra lenient to me?

[etherealtruth]

4. I glean that there was no recent event that prompted your querie.

[Boojatta]

5. Is being spontaneous something that Martha Stewart approves of? e.o.m.

[saltpoint]

2. Boojatta, I'd be more inclined to respond more respectfully to

your posts if I had some idea what their THESIS might be.

I like Rushdie. I admire his brains and his balls.

[Boojatta]

6. Thesis: US Prez W has a legitimate grievance against Iran. W could

go to the UN and say: "I want Iran to pay to the UK security services at least part of what has been spent to protect Rushdie. Also, Rushdie is entitled to compensation for inconvenience and mental distress."

Then the UN can debate the matter and we can see what the representatives of the various countries have to say. Let's get their words engraved in titanium and transported to the moon so that there will be no deniers on the facts of this issue, an issue that could unleash WW III.