The
very foundation of a democratic society is based upon certain freedoms - and certainly the most valued are freedom
of speech and freedom of the press. The principals of American life are
fomented on the right to express our personal or political views, no matter how
unpopular or offensive they may be to others.
Today
in Paris Muslim terrorists who were offended by cartoons lampooning the prophet
Mohammed assassinated twelve journalists with the satirical publication “Charlie
Hebdo” in bloodbath. The publication did
not limit its satire to Islam or Mohammed. As is often the case with those who
use barbed humor to make a political or social statement, “Charlie Hebdo”
included caricatures- often tasteless- of politicians, political parties, the
religious and anyone holding what the publishers deemed to be extremist views
on any subject.
It
is true that “Charlie Hebdo” published and distributed cartoons and satirical
writing that many people found vulgar and offensive. Personally, I do not find most of the cartoons even nominally amusing. But in a free society one
can simply ignore and choose not to read the publications. Civilized people do
not kill because they dislike a cartoon.
Civilized people may express indignation, cancel a subscription, line
the cat box with the paper or engage in heated debate. However, as a society we
do not encourage mass murder when offended by words or pictures.
In a
paean to the French government, despite the disdain that many Americans hold
for the leftist French who appear to look down on those who are not French, we
Americans should celebrate and support a state that upholds the rights of its
people to engage in free speech. Rather
than forcing “Charlie Hebdo” to shut down out of fear of retaliation, France
instead chose to close embassies and schools in preparation for any potential
retaliation by terrorists when the magazine previously published certain
provocative cartoons that lampooned Mohammed in 2012.
At
the very heart, Americans and the French people have similar political
ideologies or philosophies. The motto of France, “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”
{Liberty, Equality,
Brotherhood} was born of the revolution and resonates with French citizens just
as we Americans hold dearly Patrick Henry’s speech to “Give me liberty or give
me death”. Even today more than 64,000
citizens have chosen the license plate with the motto that predates our own
Revolution - “Don’t Treat On Me”
So I choose to stand with
those who support liberty. I do not have to agree with you; but I will defend
your rights of free expression.
Let us give support to those
with the courage to stand by their convictions.
Je Suis Charlie!
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