There is no shortage of death and killing in our world.
There are although; those killings and deaths that are more senseless, more
heinous, and somehow, more disastrous. The attack on the cartoonist and
publishers of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo early this week were
such killings. The French citizens and free nations around the world are in
shock and mourning of this unthinkable tragedy that transpired in Paris. In a
world where such deaths are ever increasing people of good faith; believers of
personal and civil liberty, inalienable rights and freedom; particularly, freedom
of expression are shocked and appalled. This is certainly because we refuse to
accept the brutality, hate and total disregard by the few who would deny the
right to express opinion and views different from their own and those views
that even we ourselves do not hold or believe. We do mourn, we are shaken, we
can even be confused but we will not bow. The citizens of Paris and all who cherish life and freedom
will return stronger and with a greater will to survive, to debate and yes; to
satirize the ignorant and misguided who kill the seekers of truth through the
power of humor and that of the pen.
As of this writing thousands have covered the streets and
avenues of Paris in respect and reverence for their slain countrymen. The
offices of Charlie Hebdo will publish on time and schedule the next issue of
their weekly. It will be an expanded and astonishing million copy release. The
voices of freedom sing out ever louder, ever stronger. The suspects (murderers) have received their
self-ordained fates. They will not kill again.
Expressions of defiance, regret, consolation and
unity were posted and printed from the first moments that the news of the
events at Charlie Hebdo were made public. This; sadly was not the first attack
on Charlie Hebdo and may not be the last. But again; we stand firmly in
support. Editorial cartoonist in particular expressed their heart-felt and
stinging messages from Paris and around the globe in remarkable, relentless
fashion. Some of the best are on view here. Je Suis Charlie.
