The French government announced it was shutting down embassies in 20 countries. Spokesman for the government of the United States questioned the judgement of the publisher, while softly supporting the principle of free speech. The Globe & Mail reported this morning that over 30 people have already been killed in violent outbursts to a Youtube video… the Innocence of Muslims.

French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault issued a statement expressing his “disapproval of all excesses,” in response to the Charle Hebdo cover.

[Translation from cover caption: "You mustn’t mock."]

The magazine’s editor, and a fomer cartoonist named Stephane Charbonnier, denied he was being deliberately provocative at a delicate time, according to a report by SkyNews.

“The freedom of the press, is that a provocation?” he said. “I’m not asking strict Muslims to read Charlie Hebdo, just like I wouldn’t go to a mosque to listen to speeches that go against everything I believe.”

The French satirical magazine’s offices were firebombed in the past (November 2011) when they published another controversial cover.   http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15550350

According to the Huffington Post, Charlie Hebdo often publishes satirical cartoons mocking Christians. The Huffington Post is also running a Poll, which you can vote on, regarding Free Speech. Click below to go to the Huffington Post article and Poll.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/09/19/french-satirical-magazine-charlie-hebdo-cartoons-prophet_n_1896063.html

According to Wikipedia, the magazine has a “left-wing anarchistic” editorial slant.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Hebdo

The National Post ran this editorial cartoon in today’s paper:

It seems that magazine covers are generating a lot of excitment these days…I guess the Prophet is good for profits. As for Royal Nipples, that is so yesterday. 

http://www.coverssell.com/?p=6301