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I wonder how quickly a Westerner's head would be lopped off if he shredded a Quran or used its pages for wiping their posterior. Something tells me that a deranged saif brandishing simpleton would be dispatched, posthaste.

As long as radical-Islamic fanatics, a.k.a. terrorists, are permitted obdurate contempt for anything or anyone contrary to their beliefs, and as long as the Islamic world community accepts their contempt as unobjectionable, reports such as Newsweek's faux Quran desecration story will incite catastrophe. Because we understand that the radical-Islamist is simple- minded with all the restraint of a hyper Kindergartener off his Ritalin, the "catalyst" -- in this case Newsweek -- must always be responsible for the reactions it creates.

Perhaps there is one more element associated with this issue of blame.

Truly disturbing is that no matter how many times the mainstream media purposely publishes inaccurate accounts of events, creates stories, ignores real stories or slants its facts in displays of agenda-driven media activism, the bulk of the American public continues to purchase their publications. As long as there are those who are enticed to gawk at the monstrosity of the tragedy, these merchants of sensationalized disinformation will thrive.

The mainstream media has ceased being about the facts and in its present state exists only to offer the events of the day through the eyes of the agenda-bent and ideological. People are starved for accurate information delivered in good faith. But there is hope.

Today an ever increasing number of Americans are turning away from traditional news outlets and finding alternative sources for their information. Some are calling it the "New Media." I like to describe it as an evolution back to honest, transparent reporting, true and simple; the epitome of the definition of 'journalism,' not the bastardization that is today's mainstream media.

A message is being sent, and judging by how the mainstream media is circling the wagons around Newsweek and acquiescing to the tantrums of simplistic barbarians, I would suggest that they are hearing our message loud and clear.

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Frank Salvato is Vice President and Executive Director of the Basics Project and managing editor for TheRant.us. His pieces are regularly featured in Townhall.com. He has appeared on The O'Reilly Factor and numerous radio shows. His pieces have been recognized by the Japan Center for Conflict Prevention and are periodically featured in The Washington Times as well as other national and international publications. He can be contacted at oped@therant.us

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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.

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