NEW RULE

Terrorism exists

Salman Rushdie: “I am very disappointed to hear that my publishers, Random House, have canceled another author's novel, apparently because of their concerns about possible Islamic reprisals. This is censorship by fear, and it sets a very bad precedent indeed.”

Salman Rushdie is ridiculous. In 1988, “The Satanic Verses” was published. London, Madrid, and September 11 had not occurred. Terrorism was a concept. Terrorism was not a reality. Rushdie is opinionated. This is his profession. However, he should shut up. In 1988, Random House’s actions were censorship. In 2008, they are appropriate.