Wildfire

I am still in awe over the attacks on the embassies in Egypt and Libya - and just today, in Yemen. 
I am not at all justifying the video that was made that negatively portrayed the prophet Mohammad, but at the same time, I am at a loss for words that it has led to such a reaction. An inappropriate reaction, at that.

Why punish a country  for the actions of a few people? The people who produced the film in question are not representatives of the views of all Americans.Understanding the importance of separating a few rogue individuals from the entire country, Secretary of State Clinton was certain to assert that “The U.S. government had absolutely nothing to do with this video.”

Furthermore, isn't this the same gaffe the American government made when it began its War on Terror in 2003? Why punish all Arabs or all Muslims for the acts of one group? This type of retaliation is completely misguided and misdirected.

Egypt's President Morsi highlighted the tension of this incident and the reaction: “The Prophet Muhammad taught us to respect human life,” but made it clear that “The Prophet Muhammad and Islamic sanctities are red lines for all of us.”All heads of states have made public apologies for the actions in their respective countries.

Nevertheless, how can this hostile reaction be avoided? Often in history we have had misguided reactions against the people of entire countries for the acts of their governments - think of how the Germans or Russians were treated during WWII and the Cold War and the embarrassment towards the whole freedom fries agenda towards France. 

Just as how the Arab Spring started from one little flame that led to a region-wide conflagration, I only hope that this current wildfire will be put out sooner than later.