Editorial~Je Suis Charlie~Always "Je prefer mourir debout, que vivre a genoux" -Stephane Charbonnier

1. The name on my birth certificate is Jewish. I was raised as a Catholic. As an American of
actual Italian descent, I have lived all over the world. I have friends & lovers in my photo album
of all ages, colors, religions & nationalities. I include them in my life, because they, like I,
believe in a certain civility, ultimately what I believe the gods intended.
The higher power I love, is not punitive, doesn’t threaten me with damnation, does not ask me
to be less than I can be, does not require subservience or violence to prove power and
allegiance. The god I honor, who created us in his own image, is not racist or sexist, is
compassionate, not judgmental, & champions me to use the gifts he gave me to create, not
destroy things. Somehow, sometimes, the purity of god’s creation has been distorted by
man’s fears & insecurities, & leaving constraints that segregate & alienate us. My god protects
the innocent, never using them to bribe, to blackmail, or to slaughter in the guise of
enlightenment.
Every act of terrorism has left me in tears. But the recent attack in Paris took me back to
Sept.11th. I was in New York on that morning. I remember how brilliant the sun was & how
silent the city was. How shocked, hurt & angry we were as a city & a nation. And how our
reserve rallied to stand & cry out, that we would not cower.
I lived in France for many years. I love the subtleties of the French language, especially where
wit & satire are concerned. I am heartened to see that the French have rallied as quickly as we
did, to stand as a nation, & let everyone know they will not be silenced, now or ever.
The civilized world stands with them. All who witnessed these murderous attacks by bullying
cowards realize with satisfaction that they have made us stronger, louder, more creative &
determined, united, as never before. For me personally, loving both my country & France, this
moment is especially poignant. And, I know we have a commonality that guarantees our
strength & resilience, as it has for centuries, as rivals & allies.
In France: “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité ~ In America:“Life, Liberty & The Pursuit Of Happiness”
Since France & America also have great music in common, I hear the voice of the legendary
Edith Piaf ~ ”Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien”. And the voice of Kid Rock ~ “I Was Born Free”.
In honor of those who have perished everywhere~these truths will help us triumph.
I hold the words of Stéphane Charbonnier close to my heart:
“Je préfère mourir debout que vivre à genoux”
“I would rather die standing, than live on my knees”
They Are Not Free~We Are
#JeSuisCharlie
Always