[thread="616346"]One thing I'll never understand is why people think free speech = free from consequences. In no way am I saying that these terrorists were justified in their actions, because they most certainly are not. But the folks at that magazine already knew what time it was with the Muslim extremists--their offices were already firebombed a few years back. Hell, I believe several of them had police security everywhere they went after that incident. So they knew there was a faction of people out there pissed off and crazy enough to kill over a cartoon, as ridiculous as that sounds. [/thread]
But they exercised (and will continue to) their free speech and kept publishing these images. And they apparently pissed off Muslim extremists enough to have them up the ante from the office firebombing. So you can see that free speech doesn't mean you can't get touched. In the sane world, yes it means that. BUT WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH VIOLENT, RELIGIOUS ZEALOTS YOU'RE NOT DEALING WITH RATIONAL PEOPLE.
My whole issue with this magazine is what's the end game here? What is them publishing these images doing? Like yo, I'm 99.9% positive that most people who are not terrorists understand how ridiculous terrorists are. Why do we need to rustle their jimmies when we know we're dealing with folks delusional enough to think there are virgins waiting for them in heaven should they die a martyr?
Some will say "they're exercising their free speech", which is true. But at what point does it become more important to exercise it wisely instead of doing it because we can or because we get a chuckle out of it? In the year 2015, we now know that nothing ends well when dealing with Islamic extremists--their end game is to die and take out as many non-believers as possible. Why would we continue to poke and prod at them knowing this? Those cartoons aren't enlightening anyone to the horrors of religious extremists, nor are they converting terrorists into peaceful, upstanding citizens. In short, NOBODY WINS. Yes, you exercised your free speech, but now your'e dead over a silly cartoon and your kids don't have a dad. Why not just let the terrorists terrorist and keep it moving? Because these cartoons aren't doing a damn thing to fight the war on terror---they're simply fueling the fire.
And again, in no way am I blaming the victims for what happened to them or saying that the terrorists were justified in their actions. I just think we really need to reassess the potential consequences of our actions because we're obviously not dealing with rational, peaceful people when it comes to extremists.
that sounds like a threat. Reminds me of the way the Syrian government talks...
:x 
What the **** is wrong with you? Like seriously right now WHAT THE **** IS WRONG WITH YOU?! If yo really think the ppl at Charlie Hebdo died over silly cartoons you're extremely naive and short sighted.
