>>> Perhaps at the heart of these provocations is an implicit intent to begin the unavoidable violent confrontation that we all fear may well be coming. <<<
It is not provocation per se, it is defiance against Sharia law being imposed via ‘hate speech’ restrictions and censorship.
The Constitution says nothing about “Thou Shalt Not Offend” rather it promises freedom to speak one’s opinions even if those opinions may offend some thin-skinned twit with a political agenda. Indeed, it is offensive speech which is most subject to suppression that must be most protected.
And yes, there will be violence since the entire Muslim faith is diametrically opposed to, and at war with, western civilization. One side or the other will eventually be crushed.
Back in the mid 1700s the patriots used a lot of speech that many, probably the majority, found offensive. All that talk about independence and breaking away from Great Britain certainly offended the Loyalists, who if I recall my history correctly were about a third of the Colonial populace. Thus one could say that the very founding of the country was based on speech that many found offensive.