Paris, France - January 7th 2015 , The word balloon on the old cover of "Charlie Hebdo" reads - "A hundred lashes if you don't die of laughter". But I can't help thinking that in place of laughter, there will be many more tears in this new year as embittered Islamist nutcases wreak more deadly terror in the name of a medieval religion they don't even understand. Who knows where it will all end?
Very soon after yesterday's vile attack in Paris, thousands of ordinary French citizens came on to the streets chanting "Je suis Charlie!" in anger, in solidarity and in love. So I say, "Je suis Charlie. I am Charlie too!" For fraternity, for liberty, for equality. And dear reader, how about you, are you also Charlie?
Je suis Charlie....
ReplyDeleteLiberty...freedom...the right to be...once again have come under attack. Liberty...freedom...the right to be will survive...will always win in the end. Dreams, hopes, the ability to create, invent, to build...the freedom to be an individual; to stand tall and face the world head on...and look it directly in the eye...will always be the winner. The ability to be an individual; to love; to laugh and to live with dignity and liberty will always win.
You feel it the same way as I do Charlie.
DeleteA bit like the response to our recent brush with terrorism here on Oz. We will not let them terrorise us, we will band together and support eachother !
ReplyDeleteYes Helen. Just the same.
DeleteJe ne suis pas Charlie, parce-que je suis Meike. But even though I rather keep my own name, I am thinking about other ways to express my solidarity with all journalists and caricaturists who live under constant terrorist threats for speaking (i. e. writing and drawing) their minds.
ReplyDeleteThis latest attack was shocking news when I switched the telly on last night. I was glad to see that many prominent figures in the Muslim world spoke out against it, too.
I respect your right not to be a Charlie. Meike is a much nicer name.
DeleteWhile I abhor what was done, I wonder what reaction would be provoked if the world's satirical magazines decided to pick on christianity in a similar way to how Islam is often portrayed. Extremism in any religion is horrendous. But lack of respect is too.
ReplyDeleteI hate what the gunmen did - but I'm still thinking about whether 'je suis Charlie'.
AJ - "Charlie Hebdo" has often poked fun at the Roman Catholic church and at Judaism but those religions did not spawn fatal responses. Showing lack of respect is not illegal and it is arguably the mark of a free and civilised society that we can poke fun at, satirise and knock those who put themselves on pedestals that are made from jelly. Well that is what I think.
DeleteI don't understand any religion. It seems we no sooner sort one set of nutters out than another lot jumps in to fill the breach. They do need a good sorting but they should be condemned as homicidal criminals and not as Islamists. There is still the criminal fraternity in Ireland to deal with. Giving Protestants and Catholic murderers there an amnesty will come back to haunt us. A bit of zero tolerance policing is what is required. That applies to Catholic Priests who think they can tamper with children and it applies to anyone who thinks the sword is mightier than the pen.
ReplyDeleteI spent a fair bit of time in Yemen and Egypt and really enjoyed it. It was a bit hot. I went to Saudi once and vowed never again.
We are singing from the same hymn sheet Adrian! I know that this is an inappropriate allusion for two militant atheists! Were you mummified in Egypt?
DeleteNo. Nor was I defied or defiled . I just lived with the little buggers and did what Mad Mitchell had failed to do, I charmed them. I did give them a good slap now and again.
DeleteI am waving my pen with the crowds
ReplyDeleteThe instant, unorganised response of the French people is inspirational and uplifting.
DeleteWell, damn. Not a week ago I whispered the wish that this new year be one of peace and that humanity would be kinder and more respectful and more gracious to one another. And then yesterday, that small group, those few "desperate for glory" people, went totally against everything I was hoping for this year and, in essence, to me they said, "Fuck you!"
ReplyDeleteIt is clear that they didn't read your blog Mama Thyme.
DeleteI'm unequivocally with you on this one YP. As for the goodness of Christianity how about the crusades or the Spanish Inquisition just to name two of the many thousands of similar atrocities undertaken in the name of a faith.
ReplyDelete