Vous Êtes Charlie

Remember…?

Remember the phrase from a decade ago – “Je Suis Chalie”?

Remember why it became a popular phrase?

If you do – kudos… you’re my kind of people.

If not – my condolences… but you are still my kind of people – just for a different reason.

I have been seeing and hearing something similar over the last eight days – “I am Charlie.” A statement that the effort to carry on conversation and dialogue despite the challenges and dangers. Much like that French publication after the 7Jan15 attack, it is both encouraging and defiant…

Something else noteworthy, however is the lack of overt reaction.. on both sides of the event; both are equally disconcerting and disturbing for the sheer potential implied.

For the supporters of the late Charlie Kirk, the silence could be quiet determination to maintain optimism… or it could be the quiet and potent rage which will not subside any time soon… or it could be the simple stance that any hope for conversation and dialogue died on 10Sep25.

For the detractors of the late Charlie Kirk, the silence could be similarly reflect quiet determination to maintain momentum sans visibility… or it could be the inward celebration of a perceived “victory” in a battle which has only escalated… or it could be the chilling absence of telegraphing lines of effort and intent.

BOTH sides really need to pause and look at where we are – this precipice before an abyss of retribution ↔ vengeance ↔ retribution – and understand that no good will come from any of whatever blood-soaked fantasies they might hold against the other side.

History is FULL of examples where all this does is expend spirit, effort, and bile… with nothing to show for it, other than history books full of examples where the end result of such actions were to expend spirit, effort, and bile.

It’s cyclic.

It always has been.  

Vous êtes Charlie.

Nous sommes Charlie.

You are… we are the victims of violence against speech by those who cannot and will not debate with words… only violence.

We can be so much better.

We have to.

As always…

Viciously Optimistic.