Posted on 01/11/2015 7:44:40 AM PST by marktwain
Following the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris, Reuters is reporting that many cartoonists are publishing cartoons with the hashtag #jesuischarlie; I am Charlie in French. But the cartoons that they are publishing are anything but similar to the ones published in Charlie Hebdo that resulted in the attack.
Most of the ones published by Reuters feature some variation on the theme that the "pen is mightier than the sword" or the rifle, in this case. This is the cowards way out. If these cartoonists had any real courage, they would publish a cartoon that shows the Prophet Mohammad with blood on his hands. That they do not bodes ill for Western civilization. It shows that Islamics can censor western media at the point of a gun or bomb. It also shows the way for any other group that wants to impose their beliefs on others by force. Simply declare that what you think is unassailable, and that attempts at ridicule will be met with force. Most countries already do this when it comes to their current leader or the preferred ideology that is in power.
It is only in Western civilization that the concept of free speech has found a community with enough people willing to defend it. Without defenders, it is quickly lost.
Speech that does not offend, does not need to be protected. As the famous quote goes, any one is free to shout the praises of those favored and in power.
A quick Google search for "Charlie hebdo je suise pictures" came up with numerous images. Of those that I could determine were cartoons that dealt with the mass murder at Charlie Hebdo, about 53 had relatively inoffensive images, and two might be said to be offensive to Islam. I do not count cartoons that claim that the pen is mightier than the sword to be offensive to Islam. No one has had a fatwa leveled at them for such a cartoon... yet.
For all the brave talk of "Je suise Charlie", let us see cartoonists show some real courage. Let us see more cartoons lampooning Mohammad. If we do not, we will only encourage those who claim the power to tell us what may be said and what may not, and ultimately, what may be thought and what may not.
Courage might be easier to come by if the society allowed access to effective weapons for self defense. Permits to carry defensive guns are almost impossible to obtain in France; the police assigned to protect Charlie Hebdo did not seem to have a pistol between them. This at a site which had been repeatedly threatened with death, and which had been previously bombed. I doubt if the creators of the 53 cartoons found on Google, (mostly French) have even a shotgun among them, let alone a pistol. Perhaps I would be surprised. Millions of firearms floated through France during WWII, and many were squirreled away in attics and basements.
Perhaps the image of a French police officer, unarmed and begging for his life on the streets of Paris, only to be summarily executed by Jihadists, will put some spine into the politically correct French government. At least the French were willing to call the attack terrorism. The first step in solving a problem is to admit that you have a problem.
©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
Link to Gun Watch
I’ve noticed and thought the same thing myself. I heard that a German paper reprinted some of the “offensive” cartoons, but that was it.
They're always ready to lampoon Christian targets, so it can't be an honest concern for 'religious tolerance.'
Robert Crumb has been living in France now for 2 decades. He offered up this cartoon last week
“I’m not going to make a career out of baiting some farking religious fanatics, you know, by insulting their prophet. I wouldn’t do that. That seems crazy. But then, after they got killed, I just had to draw that cartoon, you know, showing the Prophet. The cartoon I drew shows me, myself, holding up a cartoon that I’ve just drawn. A crude drawing of an a$$ that’s labeled “The Hairy A$$ of Muhammed.”
R.Crumb is primarily known for the “Keep On Truckin’” guy, Fritz the Cat, and that Janis Joplin/Big Brother album cover.
Image at the link:
http://i59.tinypic.com/2hhiyhj.jpg
Some countries in the West have blasphemy laws against Islam.
Even Mr. Obama appears to support the notion.
I have a sincere question.
Does the Left even recognize WHAT political correctness IS, never mind it’s fallout ?
I'm waiting for CNN to change their Breaking News banner from "MARCH REACHES PLACE DE LA NATION" to "JE SUIS CHEESE EATING FRENCH SURRENDER MONKEYS"
When I'm with leftists, I don't call the term "political correctness." I use the term "cultural marxism."
They invariably proffer me a confused look. I then happily explain it for them: "Cultural marxism? You don't know what that is? You know, it's now called political correctness."
It usually shuts them up, and perhaps gets them thinking.
Perhaps.
I like it, but they are probably thinking you’re the Marxist or at the very least, an a88hole just for MAKING them think.
Pete Seeger and Woody Gutherie took to the streets to protest AGAINST going to war against Hitler.
Liberalism is a mental disorder.
Because all Christians will do is pray for their salvation, and maybe protest peacefully - which is the correct response. They get to defame. We get to have our say. If they don't see the light, then we turn our backs, walk away and shake the dust of the unbeliever's villages from our sandals.
It's not an honest concern - it's cowardice. Keep slapping the pacifist Christian until he stops turning his cheek, and then claim moral superiority because the Christian displayed hypocrisy.
As Christians, following in the footsteps of Jesus is the most difficult task any human can undertake. To love in the name of Our Lord, even when you are despised.
Love it!
Robert’s gnostic but not a Christian. He illustrated the book of Genesis a few years ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_Genesis_(comics)
Leftists are cowards.
All this brave talk of “je Suise Charlie” means nothing. It will all die down after a week.
Piss be upon him.
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