Charlie Hebdo in Paris

I don’t have a lot to say about Charlie Hebdo. At times like these talking only riles up the blood. We say things we don’t really mean. More importantly, we think and feel things we don’t really mean.

You’ll hear a lot of talk about how we can’t live our lives in fear. And this is true. We can’t live our lives in anger either. I’m not suggesting that all the murderers of this world just need a hug and some understanding and then everything will be all better. I’m not even suggesting people don’t have a right to be angry. I merely argue that a life of anger, no matter how righteous that anger may be, is not much of a life.

The French are pretty tough. We may tease them a bit, but they’re not a nation to be trifled with. They fought the 100 Years War with England and waged a famously ruthless resistance against Nazi occupation. They’ll survive a handful of zealots with Kalashnikovs.