I'd have thought that the 'free speech' the pro Charlie supporters were rallying over would include the right to ridicule Israel and Judaism as well as Islam, but it doesn't. What about the freedom of speech of John Kiriakou, the only person in prison for the C.I.A.’s abominable torture regime because he blew the whistle. Edward Snowden remains a hunted man for divulging information about mass surveillance. Chelsea Manning is serving a thirty-five-year sentence for her role in WikiLeaks. The truth of Western-sponsored state terrorism as practiced by the genocidal Israeli regime is off limits to media commentators under the spurious pretext of "anti-Semitism." Western free speech is nothing but a cynical charade by those in power to maintain their positions of power.

Dear George,

I agree with Poirot - this has opened up a can of worms.

I also agree with David F., - you are a generous, decent,
and thoughtful person, and then sum.

When all this fades and the dead have been buried - I'm
sure that the trauma will endure. All we can hope is that
something good will come out of it. What we certainly
don't need is more anti-Islamic hostility among the
white French majority, more votes for the Right-Wing
National Front and more bitterness and self-isolation
among the Muslim Community as well as Editors having
second thoughts about every cartoon and every provocative
opinion piece.

I agree with Middle East Commentator Juan Cole who stated
that - "This horrific murder was not a pious protest
against the defamation of a religious icon. It was an
attempt to provoke European society into pogroms against
French Muslims, in hopes of driving recruitment efforts
of militant groups like al- Qaida and the Islamic State."

Foxy, David f,

"I also agree with David F., - you are a generous, decent,
and thoughtful person..."

Yup, George's style of interaction is my template to aspire to on OLO.

I can be too reactive and sometimes too big for my boots.

I've had occasion lately to examine my style and my penchant to lump things in one big basket instead of recognising that most people and subjects are way more complex than that.

A French friend told me that the French are a very cartoon-loving society, and apparently everyone loves reading the comics and cartoons in the daily papers etc.

They look at the cartoonists as talented journalists who have strong messages to portray to the French people. They have far more cartoonists employed in France than in any other European country.

So is it that surprising that they took such offence to the freedom of speech they have always enjoyed, being threatened and the cartoonists being murdered?

I don't think it is an anti-religion or anti-Muslim thing so much as a pro freedom reaction.

Dear Poirot,

Don't pay too much attention to the criticisms
hurled at you by people on this forum who tend to
lump everyone into groups or label people or whose
opinions are rooted in sweeping generalisations.
Remember the old adage - "He's so narow-minded he
can see through keyholes with both eyes." (joke).

I dislike the terms "Left" and "Right" intensely.
The same goes for "Progressives," "Fabians," "Emily-
Listers," and so on -
ad nauseum.
Most people I know have a variety of views on issues.
They can be very broad-minded on some issues and
very conservative on others. After all there are
many facets to one's persona - and things can change
as new facts come up. Nothing is set in concrete -
for most people that is. At least you're capable of
self-analysis - and critique - most thinking people are.
So take it easy my friend, and don't let them get to you.

Suseonline, "I don't think it is an anti-religion or anti-Muslim thing so much as a pro freedom reaction"

I am sure you are right.

From one of my favourite satirists,

"[Tina]Fey said. “[We] cannot back down on free speech in any way. We all have to stand firm on the issue of free speech.”

http://time.com/3658423/tina-fey-free-speech-charlie-hebdo-the-interview/