I saw the news online last night.
And the massive outpouring of solidarity.
Am I Charlie Hebdo? I don’t think so.
I can’t help thinking that at some level Charlie Hebdo was asking for it.
Some of the images Charlie Hebdo printed were inflammatory.
Should Charlie Hebdo have been printing those images? Were they wise to carry on printing these kinds of images even after threats and warnings and previous acts of violent reprisal?
When the potential for mercilessly violent acts of reprisal such as yesterday exists this goes beyond political correctness and becomes an issue of mortal safety.
Freedom of speech is an essential right. But we should use it wisely.
Charlie Hebdo didn’t in my view. And has payed a terrible price.