The question is whether this march for unity is one worth attending. I contend it is not. First of all, by definition France cannot be unified when the “far-right” National Front is banned from participating. Beyond that, we need to honestly ask ourselves whether the free speech pushed by Charlie Hebdo is worth rallying around? I understand the desire to defend free speech and in particular I understand the desire to oppose Muslim attempts to silence free speech. However, Charlie Hebdo is the lowest form of free speech and not worth holding up as an example of western free speech worth rallying for.
Wow. Didn't know France was so anti-free-speech.
Beyond that, we need to honestly ask ourselves whether the free speech pushed by Charlie Hebdo is worth rallying around?
Absolutely. Free speech is free speech, and provided your speech does not commit fraud, should be protected. Always.
I may not have been enamored, for example, with the Maplethorpe "Piss Christ" so-called 'art', but I did not burst into his office with an automatic AK and slaughter 12 of his peers.
He has the right to be utterly offensive, and I have the right to be utterly offended.
End of sentence.