Did You Know Charlie Hebdo Was Still Around?

"On January, 7 2015, at about 11:30 a.m. in Paris, France, the employees of the French satirical weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo were targeted in a terrorist shooting attack by two French-born Algerian Muslim brothers, Saïd Kouachi and Chérif Kouachi. Armed with rifles and other weapons, the duo murdered 12 people and injured 11 others" - Wiki

The stated reason for the attacks? Blaspheming the Prophet Muhammad.

But quick math revealed that the Charlie Hebdo attacks are now over a decade in the rear view mirror. Because I'm not French, I wasn't even sure if Charlie Hebdo was still around.

America is Back! [Censored Version]

They are.

Now we censored Donald Trump's micropenis, but let us assure you, it is there under the censorship bar. It got me thinking though, what American entity could get away with that illustration?

I don't think any news source could get away with that image to promote a story.

In pop culture, South Park could probably do a similar parody, but very few of its animated peers would risk such contemporary ire.

Mr. Garrison

But as I scrolled down the list of recent Charlie Hebdo issues, each cover more provocative than the last, all I could think about was Marilyn Manson.

Every Marilyn Manson album, right from the start, went Gold or Platinum, each album more controversial than the last.

Then starting with 2007's Eat Me, Drink Me album, listeners just started tuning out....

Manson's brand of shock had worn thin. He wasn't shocking anymore, just shocking for being shocking's sake. He had free speech, but people simply turned away.

Manson's way over 50 and you want a more current example?

How about Kanye West? Just yesterday, he dropped a setlist for a soon-to-be released album that looks like it was created by a belligerent 8th grader.

If that was a new album setlist from, literally, any other American artist, it would be front page headlines. But because it's from Kanye West, sorry, I mean Ye, people yawned. Crazy ol' Ye, trying to stir the publicity pot.

When your schtick is shock, eventually you are only competing against old versions of yourself.

This is a reminder though, I am using American cultural references. What do the French think about Charlie Hebdo? Ironically, France 24 asked the very same thing: Has the 'I am Charlie' spirit been forgotten?

"One of the biggest changes in last decade is how the press, initially sympathetic to Charlie Hebdo, has gradually moved to criticising its editorial line. British news and opinion website UnHerd points to Libération recently expressing scepticism for Charlie Hebdo and even suggesting it is at times guilty of racism. Why have even those on the left – traditional supporters of Charlie Hebdo – abandoned the publication? A host of reasons are suggested: cowardice, legitimate fear for their lives and more cynically, progressive politicians' eagerness to court the Muslim vote." 

If Beacon of Speech rolled out with the same exact cover image (minus the hack job editing), what would be the response?

Now because we're pretty unpopular, I don't think that illustration would do much in the public discourse.

But if a multinational news corporation, say CNN or FoxNews, rolled out with the illustration, I think it would send shock waves across the political landscape.

How do I figure? A majority of Americans say that the First Amendment GOES TOO FAR in the rights it guarantees. I don't agree with that.

I believe Americans think the 1st Amendment doesn't do enough for their rights.

I believe Americans think the 1st Amendment does too much for your rights.

Americans, across generations and the political spectrum, are becoming more self-centered. I think there's a greater chance of Charlie Hebdo folding in France than a Charlie Hebdo-type publication gaining a foothold in America.

You don't trust my opinion? You want to reference the hive of AI?

AI: "Charlie Hebdo's humor and political commentary are deeply rooted in French culture and history, which makes it less relevant or understandable to an American audience."

I find it amusing that AI thinks Americans are dumb.