Within days of their big rally in Paris and elsewhere in which France and others decried terrorism and carried on about "free speech", French authorities have arrested at least 54 people for - surprise! - "offensive speech".
The irony that the west was rallying to defend a magazine that was attacked for its alleged slander of Islam, while at the same persecuting individuals for voicing their views was not lost on many.
Meanwhile, the Pope's weighed in, cautioning that there are limits to freedom of expression.
(Reuters) - Pope Francis, speaking of last week's deadly attacks by Islamist militants in Paris, has defended freedom of expression, but said it was wrong to provoke others by insulting their religion and that one could "expect" a reaction to such abuse.
Apparently, the proper response to an "art" exhibit featuring Christ on a cross upside down in a jar of urine would have been to shoot the place up. After all, one should "expect" a reaction to such abuse.
Lighten up, Francis.
