Originally Posted by SilentKnight

Levant also appeared on Canada AM and was bluntly unapologetic about his decision to publish the cartoons. He said the cartoons have become a legitimate news item, and as such his magazine has the right to publish them under the principles of free speech.

"Freedom of speech trumps political correctness," Levant said. "I would say our magazine would publish an anti-Semitic or Holocaust denying cartoon if it meant Jews around the world were rioting because of it and burning embassies because of a cartoon. We would want to show our readers what all the fuss was about."

He added: "It's a real news story, and if someone would be offended, well it's a historical artifact, we're going to show it."

The magazine has a circulation of about 40,000, and will appear on newsstands in about 10 days.

Levant, who is Jewish, had some harsh words for Elmasry. He described him as an "idiot" several times, and said he has no moral high ground to lecture him on journalistic integrity.

Levant pointed to controversial comments Elmasry made in October, 2004, when he said all Jews over the age of 18 are fair targets for suicide bombers. Elmasry made the comments on The Michael Coren Show, an Ontario program that runs on Burlington's Crossroads Television System.