Hear, hear...........

More blood on Charlie Hebdo's pencils now

Warning: This post contains depictions you may find offensive.

Charlie Hebdo is reflective of French society - and quite possibly that more widely spread in western Europe. It would have been reflective of British attitudes too had multiculturalism and political correctness not been rammed-down our throats over the last 20 or 30 years. But that doesn't make us any better than them (the French), it simply makes us more timid - like rabbits caught in life's headlamps.

In some minds, French TV will have demonstrated further insensitivity by televising a three and a half hour concert (on France 2) in support of Charlie Hebdo whilst the State-owned French Post Office has pledged to provide the journal with free distribution for one year.

This week's "Survivors' Edition" doesn't simply caricature the Muslim Prophet, it lampoons the Pope as well - but there aren't angry cardinals or baying mobs of believers demonstrating and burning French flags organised by Catholic monks , priests and nuns:



Its cartoon depicting Hollande and Merkel hasn't brought crowds of protestors onto the streets of Paris or Berlin in protest.

Last week, the BBC showed the magazine's front cover on both News At Ten and during Newsnight:



It was somewhat timidly published by the Guardian earlier in the week as did Time Magazine - several times:



So too the Wall Street Journal and Guy Fawkes, the Parliamentary blogger.



Guy Fawkes' Order-Order blog entry also included a list of outlets for the English Language edition.

Last Sunday, state-owned France Télévisions aired a 3½ hour concert in support of Charlie Hebdo on channel France 2 even though the newspaper earlier this year ran a cover illustration that derided the broadcaster’s coverage of the Winter Olympics. And the state-controlled French Post Office has pledged to provide free distribution for a year.

I have to say that having now seen the cover, I do wonder what all the fuss is about. It depicts a male of indeterminate age who could originate from one of any number of countries and could equally be a Sikh or simply wearing comic headgear (two balloons in a pillowcase comes to mind). There is nothing in that cartoon that identifies uniquely as a depiction of the Muslim Prophet.

But are copies of the Guardian and Time being burned in the streets of Marawi, Manchester, Marseille or Mecca? No, of course not!

You aren't offended because you are not Muslim, Mark.
They put their prophet above their family and whether or not we agree or like it, we should respect it.
This has not happened in France and unfortunately people will suffer because of it.

No, I'm not, Mike, I am agnostic. Religion has been the cause of far too much blood being spilled throughout history.

During the second world war, Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin met on a number of occasions to decide both war strategy and post-war aims. At one such meeting, aboard a British warship in Malta I believe, the question of a future Jewish homeland was discussed. Churchill suggested east Africa and said that Britain would handover one of its colonies. But this idea was vetoed by Roosevelt who was under pressure at home from the powerful and predominantly Jewish-controlled banking and media lobby. Stalin had no preference but wanted them out of Europe. Roosevelt insisted that the Jewish homeland be established in what was then British-administered Palestine, in spite of the fact that Palestine has strong religious significance to Muslims and Christians as well as Jews.

If only Churchill had had his way ...

Agree, show respect when it is due.

But no respect is deserved by those Muslims who:

• Show no respect for other religions and cultures, and work actively to destroy them.
• Call for the murder of infidels (including me).
• Carry out heinous terrorist acts.
• Support those who carry out such acts.

But if the "none Muslims" showed respect in the first place, instead of mocking their religion, we wouldn't be in this mess.
It's been going on for decades, going back as far as 50's 60's maybe longer.

Some Muslims should understand that Satirical humour and humorous ridicule have been a part of the European press and our social culture for centuries .
Onion skinned extremists that have for some reason decided to live amongst Europeans, obviously need no excuse to murder and maim innocent men,women and children. They will continue to do so regardless of their so called B.S motives for butchery.
I have no respect for them whatsoever and absolutely none for those that defend their actions in any way shape or form.
Je suis Charlie!

Respect is a two-way street and whilst we should respect and not mock the Muslim faith, those who commit heinous crimes in the name of Allah are beyond contempt.

What about all the Muslims killed in Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq?

What about all the Muslims killed in Egypt by Muslims with slightly different beliefs?

Or the Muslims raped, prostituted or killed by Muslims?

Your question is not really relevant to this thread as I am more concerned about how these events will affect our freedom of speech and how that freedom was attacked in France just lately by murdering evil scum.
Curtailing freedom of speech in any form will lead to a long slippery slope IMO but it looks like it will happen regardless.
Just take a look at the history of Russia and China to see where it leads.

Off topic answer though..
After 9-11 I think we all knew that the U.S would strike back.. It turns out that they struck out against the Bin Laden terror training camps in cahorts with the Taliban in Afghanistan which I agreed with and which of course escalated. It can be argued that hundreds of thousands of Afghan women will now lead better lives because of this decision where young Muslim girls are now free to attend schools etc.
I am definitely not happy about how the U.S managed to mask the responsibility of Ladens financial funding in Saudi Arabia for the 9/11 attack which caused the demise of so many innocent souls.

I completely disagree with the Iraq war (part 2) and I remain infuriated with Bush and Bliar to this day.
Israel have lost many of their people due to fascist extremists and in theory their whole race could have been wiped out if the extreme had had their way.
When they said "never again"..I guess they meant it.

The extremists are not connected to this issue IMO

I think it is relevant because a lot of situations are connected to what has happened and what will happen.
You can address any issue how you please but you have an anti Muslim bias IMO.
Even your name on this forum has negative aspects as boots on the ground has caused more problems in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.
I suppose you will say that the slaying of many innocent people in Gaza had no connection to what is happening in Europe now.

These sentiments are just the same for Muslims who have been attacked in many places on countless occasions.

Bootsonground,
Do you have any solutions (regarding Muslims) to solve the problems mentioned in this thread?

I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it!!

Voltaire

That's OK then,

Just normal everyday Muslims going around butchering each other I guess.

As long as there are no damned extremists involved..

"Bootsonground,
Do you have any solutions (regarding Muslims) to solve the problems mentioned in this thread?


im·passe
ˈimˌpas,imˈpas/
noun

1. a situation in which no progress is possible, especially because of disagreement; a deadlock.

In a word.

I agree.