Je Suis Charlie

I really want to admire the people behind the French satire magazine Charlie Hebdo. After last week's horrific assault on their offices by Islamic militants, they're still up and running, putting out a new issue. The "reason" for the lethal and cowardly attack was the appearance in an issue of Charlie Hebdo of a cartoon featuring Islam's Prophet Mohammed which is a really, really big no-no amongst Muslims (or at least the blood thirsty psychopaths who act in the name of Islam). So Charlie Hebdo is not only putting out a new issue but with a cover cartoon of a bug-eyed Prophet Muhammad shedding a tear and holding a sign that says "Je Suis Charlie". Or in other words, a big "fuck you" to Islamic extremists. 

But note I said "I really want to admire" the Charlie Hebdo staff. I mean, there is something totally ballsy and cool to stand up to terrorists, to double down on these alleged "offenses" to show that cowardly terrorists will not win. But there are a couple of points to consider.

1) Charlie Hebdo does not exist in a vacuum. Any attacks against this magazine's offices and staff would not occur in isolation. There is significant risks of collateral damage to surrounding people and property. If this satire publication wants to throw down the gauntlet, well, great! More power to them. But remember that others can and will get hurt. 

2) Anti-Islamic tensions are high right now in Europe, particularly in France. A bold statement of bravado in the face of terror is admirable but will this stoke the fires of those opposed to Islam already and lead to tragedy? There are millions of Muslims who are not connected to the more extreme and violent elements that misuse Islam for their own petty grasps for power. Its these Muslims, however, who will suffer most if the rising tide of anti-Islamic tensions are stoked hotter and hotter. 

So it's a difficult place for Charlie Hebdo to be in. To do nothing is to acquiesce in the face of terror. To do something is to risk adding fuel to the fires of rage and hatred amongst both Muslims and non-Muslims. But it's been said that it's better to regret the things you did rather than the things you didn't do. For the writers, cartoonists and more who assemble Charlie Hebdo, this is an opportunity to stand up in the face of terror and say, "No more!" 

But remember: whatever Charlie Hebdo does next, it's not the end. It's merely the next step and things can...and will...get worse before they get better. And God help us all. 

Je suis Charlie!

And be good to one another. 

Dave-El 

I'm So Glad My Suffering Amuses You