Decapitation shows CharlieHebdo is right

Paris — January, 2015. RadicalMuslim terrorists launch a series of attacks over two days, killing

17 innocent people. The most brazen assault occurred when the extremists, as “payback,” hit the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical magazine which had published cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed — in 2006.

Now, 14 attackers are on trial — though three, who fled to Syria just before the attacks (not a surprise) are being tried in absentia.

In what is also no surprise, the defendants haven’t shown remorse. In fact, it’s just the opposite. They have attempted to intimidate the authorities, and openly threatened witnesses, such as one screaming, in open court, “You’re going to pay for it!” to a policewoman who was testifying.

But worst of all, a teacherwho was simply trying to educate his class on the history of the attack, and who had referenced the cartoons, was hunted down this week by a terrorist and decapitated in a middle-class Parisian suburb. According to the French anti-terrorism prosecutor, the attacker claimed responsibility via text alongside a photo of his victim, and proclaimed on social media: “I have executed one of the dogs fromhell who dared to put Muhammad down.”

To their credit, the French have launched aggressive nationwide operations to root out extremists by raiding homes and non-governmental entities, and cracking down on social media sites which allow not only hatespeech, but also the coordination of attacks. French President Emmanuel Macron vowed: “Islamists will not sleep peacefully in France. Fear will change sides.” Well said, sir.

But it’s not enough, and it’s after the fact. The $64,000 question is why theWest, including the U.S., always waits until after an attack has occurred to act, especially if people are on terror watch lists, and continue to eviscerate the countries inwhich they live.

Many newspapers around the globe printed cartoons in response to the Charlie Hebdo attack, with some criticizing radical Islam. But how many re-printed the Hebdo cartoons that led to the terror attack in the first place? Almost none. In testament to its courage and dedication to freedomof expression, CharlieHebdo is re-publishing the cartoons to coincide with the trial.

Every paper on the planet, but especially in Europe, should be doing so, whether or not they agree with the cartoon’s message. That, and only that, would send a clear message that the world is unified in its fight against radical terrorists.

And it’s perfectly acceptable to be afraid. That’s called courage. As Mark Twain said, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear — not absence of fear.”

Bottom line: Don’t say you are standing up for freedom of expression and honoring fallen comrades if you don’t put your money where your mouth is. Otherwise, the bad guys win by default. If those in the media allow their fear to trump courage, they need to find a different profession.

DidWestern intelligence know the decapitation attack was imminent? If not, why not?

Europe’s intelligence agencies (and our NSA) missed the warning signs. If that’s the case, it once again shows that no amount of technology will protect us in the absence of common sense, and on-the-ground, person-toperson intelligence gathering.

How is it that theNSA sees more value in reading emails and monitoring phone calls of millions who pose zero threat than it does honing in on those with a proven track record of terrorism (or at least terrorist sympathies)? For reference, one of the Hebdo attackers had been convicted of terrorism in France and was well known in intelligence circles (as were the Boston bombers), including being on America’s terror watch and no-fly lists. If these don’t qualify as red flags, nothing does.

The big question is how the West proceeds from here. Will it jettison political correctness and take the necessary steps to combat a ruthless enemy, such as profiling, renunciation of Sharia law in theWest, and an aggressive, pull-no-punches approach to rooting out terrorism? Or will the tough rhetoric fall by thewayside, as the policy of placation seeps back into the picture?

Once thing is certain. Endless conferences, symposiums, summits and blue-ribbon commissions on combatting terrorismare a complete waste of time and resources. Incessant talking won’t solve the problem. What is needed is decisiveness, common sense and an iron will to see it through.

The solution to effectively fighting terrorism is simple; it’s just not easy. It’s time theWest rolls up its sleeves and gets the job done, once and for all.

Only then can we all legitimately say, “Je suis libertie.” But in the meantime, as a proud columnist, my message is, and always will be, “Je suis Charlie.”