AND THE DEBATE GOES ON .......

WE still in the West , live in societies where both freedom of thought and impenetrable regulated speech coexist . Many articles , debates and talk shows , took place lately more so in Europe and especially in France , all in the aftermath of the heinous Charlie Hebdo massacres . Most of these , debating the logic and duty of not condemning the Musslem prophet caricatures ,  consequently standing for and claiming a total freedom of expression .


All  versus some very strict anti Semitic related laws and regulations forbidding any type of expression , whether verbal , written or whatever , pertinent to the subject . famous  thinkers and writers in Europe and the States were subjected to very harsh measures and paid dearly , including imprisonment and immediate job termination for daring to discuss or question details of the Holocaust or even for criticizing the State of Israel and its policies . The latest victim being Jim Clancy , here in America , and after being the CNN  news  Anchor for more than three decades , as he was forced to resign after some controversial Twitter exchanges with pro Israel activists .


The above mentioned debates were suggesting and calling for an Islamophobic ban on such images and expressions to safeguard the feelings of six millions Musslem French , and 1.5 billion Musslem around the world , against it stands the preservation of the freedom of speech and expression , sacred for many French men and women , and many around the world , Americans included . I personally  stand for the freedom of speech and the right to express one's opinions freely .


Admitting though , that insulting others has limits , but these limits should work both ways , for theism and atheism , for different and all religions , for liberalists and conservatives , nationalists and globalists .


But the discussion should lie elsewhere in my opinion ;  we seem in these instances only to be listening to the side asking for more restrictions on free speech , eventually equaling Musslem feelings and concerns to Jewish or Israeli ones , and why are we not seriously thinking and considering to eliminate any form of restrictions on our free expression , whether it touches or criticize any one , Musslems  and Jews , Christians , Buddhists or atheist .


We can not  be fighting for freedom against only one side , freedom of expression if and when applied has to be absolute and universal , not selective . If we agree to ban , jail and destroy the livelihood of any Holocaust facts doubter , or any Israel criticizer , and this is nowadays the norm in most of the Western world , how can we then fairly refuse Musslem grievances over insulting caricatures or verbal and written degrading rhetoric !!


We are all nowadays reminded of the necessity to do and act differently , but to do and act in new ways we must learn how to think in different ways , to learn how to look at injustices with a just and fair mind . Only then the rest will follow .


As always , my many thanks for your time and patience .