When Booksellers Ban Books: Borders and Waldenbooks admit that they have been intimidated into abandoning their commitment to free speech—something that might seem to be a prerequisite for people who sell books—because of their fear of Islamofascist terrorism.

Neither store will carry the April-May issue of Free Inquiry magazine, which will include four of the Danish cartoons that sparked protests across the Muslim world. “For us, the safety and security of our customers and employees is a top priority, and we believe that carrying this issue could challenge that priority," a Borders Group spokeswoman told the AP.

"What is at stake is the precious right of freedom of expression," says Paul Kurtz, editor-in-chief of Free Inquiry. "Cartoons often provide an important form of political satire... To refuse to distribute a publication because of fear of vigilante violence is to undermine freedom of press—so vital for our democracy." The phrase “the terrorists have won” seems tired and played out, but in this case it happens to be absolutely appropriate.

So the message is clear: if there are books out there you don’t like—perhaps your local Borders carries Darwin’s The Origin of Species, or Heather Has Two Mommies—all you need to do is organize a protest, threaten a little violence, and you can make it too disappear.