We can certainly empathize with the tragedy, and the monstrous, senseless slaughter of a dozen inspiring lives, but as an episode of political and cultural significance? Its characteristics are decidedly exotic.
Part of this is due to the fact that the United States and Canada possess no Muslim population comparable to that of Europe. The rising European impulse to “push back” against Islam — in this case, through vulgar cartoons that incessantly insulted the faith, its followers and prophet — can appear weirdly chauvinistic, even petty.
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