Legal issues aside, isn't it slightly ironic that Salman Rushdie is suing someone over the contents of a book?

Question

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080802/D92A5TB00.html

I thought it was ridiculous for the radical Islamic community to call for Rushdie's death back in the 80s. Now, I think it is ridiculous that he is issuing his own "fatwah" on a couple of old bodyguards. Funny and ironic to me!

Answer 1

It is slightly ironic in a way, although suing (for money) over slanderous or hurtful comments that may damage his reputation is of course a LOT different to threatening Rushdie with DEATH over some superstitious religious mumbo-jumbo.

Answer 2

he should sue the nation of islam

Answer 3

The man is made up of contradictions; he believes Britain should go through a period of mental cleansing in regards to racism yet at the same time opposes the Racial and Religious Hatred Act on the basis of freedom of speech (which I am all for by the way)

He's an idiot and he can't write!!! Anyone read The Satanic Verses? As a Muslim it wasn't the content I found offensive but his writing! Drab and monotonous.

Answer 4

Rushdie's lawsuit over defamatory remarks made in a book by a former bodyguard is not at all the same thing as the Ayatollah issuing a death threat against Rushdie for writing a fictional book that obliquely poked fun at Islam.  What Rushdie is doing is not a fatwah, even metaphorically.  A fatwah is an outlaw or vigilante action, while a lawsuit is a perfectly civilized way to seek redress for grievances.