11 dead in French satirical magazine shooting

[CountDeMoney]

"Defending freedom of expression in the face of oppression is one thing; insisting on the right to be obnoxious and offensive just because you can is infantile. Baiting extremists isn't bravely defiant when your manner of doing so is more significant in offending millions of moderate people as well. And within a climate where violent response – however illegitimate – is a real risk, taking a goading stand on a principle virtually no one contests is worse than pointless: it's pointlessly all about you."

That is not an unreasonable statement, or even a false statement.  In fact, it's not too far in principle from what Oliver Wendell Holmes would've said.

[frunk]

I don't know, I think it's a basic test of being able to function in society.  If what someone says, no matter what it is, is considered justification to kill then you don't make the cut.  As horrible as this tragedy is it's better to have agitators like CH then to stay quiet and build up a thin skinned population that is likely to become extremely dangerous on a flimsy pretext.

[garbon]

I don't know, I think it's a basic test of being able to function in society.  If what someone says, no matter what it is, is considered justification to kill then you don't make the cut.  As horrible as this tragedy is it's better to have agitators like CH then to stay quiet and build up a thin skinned population that is likely to become extremely dangerous on a flimsy pretext.

What proof do we have that having agitators prevents this thin skinned population?

[Eddie Teach]

Ok, just catching up with the thread, wondering what is so offensive to people about Jeff Bridges in True Grit. 

[frunk]

What proof do we have that having agitators prevents this thin skinned population?

There's a few fewer now.

More specifically, the vast majority of Moslems in France have chosen not to attack CH so clearly they are not that thin skinned.  It's the idiotic few that are the problem.

[Valmy]

In defense of B4, what is so outrageous about suggesting that the editors of Charlie have some responsibility here?  They knew they were taking a baseball bat to a hornet's nest.

So if somebody brutally murdered the South Park people you would say South Park bears some of the responsibility?  I mean sure they are crude and offensive but that is no crime worthy of a death sentence.

[garbon]

What proof do we have that having agitators prevents this thin skinned population?

There's a few fewer now.

So, none?

[Valmy]

Yeah Marty posted it a few posts above you.

[Liep]

Yeah Marty posted it a few posts above you.

It seems like each time I check Languish another 10 pages have been written in this thread, so I gave up trying to keep up.

[11B4V]

Ok, just catching up with the thread, wondering what is so offensive to people about Jeff Bridges in True Grit. 

Would you like me to post it? For ref that is.

[The Minsky Moment]

Ok, just catching up with the thread, wondering what is so offensive to people about Jeff Bridges in True Grit. 

He's ornery and cusses too much.

Plus:  crappy costume design.

[Jacob]

Yeah Marty posted it a few posts above you.

It seems like each time I check Languish another 10 pages have been written in this thread, so I gave up trying to keep up.

I'm following it, but I'm just happy that for once I'm not in the middle of it.

[Eddie Teach]

Ok, just catching up with the thread, wondering what is so offensive to people about Jeff Bridges in True Grit. 

Would you like me to post it? For ref that is.

Sure.

[11B4V]

Ok, just catching up with the thread, wondering what is so offensive to people about Jeff Bridges in True Grit. 

Would you like me to post it? For ref that is.

Sure.

My avatar for over 24 hours before anyone said anything.

[DGuller]

I think the real tragedy in all of this is this clusterfuck of a thread.