France in embassy alert over Prophet Muhammad cartoons

[dipsydoodle]

Security is being stepped up at some of France's embassies after a French satirical magazine published obscene cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said he was "concerned" after the issue of Charlie Hebdo appeared on news-stands.

French embassies, consulates, cultural centres and international French schools in some 20 countries will be closed on Friday as a precaution.

Riot police have been deployed around the magazine's offices in Paris.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19646748

The French seem to a have a dislike of blowback whereas other countries may not care. Its the perpetrators of blowback who decide its justification : not the recipients.

[CJCRANE]

1. We're seeing the growing pains of a connected world. nt

[zellie]

2. Freedom of speech

No country should cower in fear and give up that sacred right.

[CJCRANE]

4. I support freedom of speech on both sides.

This guy can say what he likes and others can protest against his views, as long as they're not violent.

I disagree with the way people like this promote their views though, not because of cultural sensitivities, but because they're playing into the hands of the fundamentalists and make them stronger. And that's me exercising my freedom of speech to say that.

Hover, in today's media world we don't get a discussion or a dialog just the equivalent of shouted insults.

Let's have a dialog or even a discussion or conference where all points of view get heard. That's what's missing in today's media environment IMO.

[ananda]

3. Blame.

Over the long run, I tend to blame the colonial and missionary
mindset that tells us superior, enlightened westerners that
we need to colonize and/or missionize the heathens or infidels
for "their" own good, meaning of course make them like us so
they'll serve us and allow us to stay there and exploit their
labor and resources... and then demonize them if they dare to
get angry and rebel.

[leftynyc]

6. Oh Horseshit

All we're seeing are people who refuse to understand that not everybody believes the same things they do and are under no obligation to cater to their taboos and feel they have a right to get violent about it. Fuck the thugs.

[Nye Bevan]

5. No riot police needed at "The Onion" offices.

(NSFW warning)

http://www.theonion.com/articles/no-one-murdered-because-of-this-image,29553/