Lowry: Free speech embattled in the West

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2038539-155/lowry-free-speech-embattled-in-the

The attack on cartoonist Charlie Hebdo in Paris was a deliberate attack on free speech. Sure, he created possibly inflammatory material against Islam, but his right to do so should be protected and upheld. When terrorists can cause our basic rights of freedom of expression to be endangered, and our own governments fight against our criticisms, our rights to protest through media and to criticize, the terrorists have succeeded, succeeded in a war that in many ways is as spiritual, political and fundamentally philosophical and psychological as it is a physical war. 

Where does this end? Laws have already been put in place in Europe that limit freedoms of speech when used in a derogatory sense against Islam and other religions in particular. Sure, it's mean, probably bad, and definitely regrettable that people and religions are criticised and degraded by media and expressions, but, we have a right to say these things, and not fear retaliation by our own government, and protection from retaliation from other entities. I think blatant racism, particularly when used in propaganda is where the line is crossed, and it's crossed because the idea is being spread with intent to degrade an entire people, and convince others to do so also. That should be regulated. But, criticisms and satire should never be regulated. The day we allow that to happen is the day the terrorists win, because they caused us to silence our own voices.