Explosions and gunfire in Paris

[AnneFan]

I've had a holiday planned and now I'm second guessing to go or not.

 

[Vartha]

Why they have to do that kind of thing is beyond me no matter WHAT country it's in

 

[Greens]

I've had a holiday planned and now I'm second guessing to go or not.

I think you'll be fine.

 

[Vartha]

I've had a holiday planned and now I'm second guessing to go or not.

Where to Paris? I'm sure it would be safe NOW but you can't just let them make you afraid to stop what you first intended

 

[ThePhantasm]

In Lebanon, a man named Adel Termos threw himself at an ISIS suicide bomber to save a crowd of people from being killed. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/13/lebanon-families-mourn-victims-beirut-bombings

 

[chamber-music]

I think any acknowledgement for past offenses is always a step in the right direction. I never said it would completely stop terrorists. It is a step in the right direction. Hollande did acknowledge of 'suffering' of the Algerians, but stopped short of apologizing for the massacres their armies inflicted on the local population. Why would that be?

The reason many leaders don't give a full apology for past misdeeds their nations committed is because they fear it will make them liable. You will have people in some countries demanding reparations.

 

[Paradoxium]

If you are go to Central Europe, for the love of god have some situational awareness. Don't wonder into the ghettos, and don't look like an easy mark. Don't do the smartphone zombie crap you see in American cities. Don't flaunt an expensive iPhone. Don't "stare" down while you walk by people, look to the side if necessary.

Get a Tactical Flashlight, it can temporarily blind/disorient attackers and is completely legal. It's inexpensive and you can get those on Amazon. If you are small wry individual, it also might be wise to be with a big strong man, boyfriend/husband/brother/friend or some sort. I know it is imperfect, but it's better than nothing.

 

[Greens]

If you are go to Central Europe, for the love of god have some situational awareness. Don't wonder into the ghettos.

Doesn't this go for every country on Earth?

 

[Paradoxium]

You would think so. But some people think it is "racist", especially if the ghettos has many Muslims.

 

[Greens]

Every major city has bad areas. It's always good to do your research before you visit a country for an extended period of time.

 

[Paradoxium]

Regardless, I think most people should get a high lumen LED tactical flashlight. It's a good non-lethal self defense tool. Lot of instruction/tutorials on how to use it.

 

[terry78]

The thing is are they targeting France specifically. The three incidents could be isolated, but it seems weird.

 

[JKKS085]

I admire your enthusiasm in the prospects of integration. I do believe there are millions of well integrated North Africans and/or Muslims, but the truth can bite hard. The French Arab/Muslim community has still suffered from racism, and according to the BBC, the unemployment rate for university graduates of French origin is 5%; this can be compared to the unemployment rate of 26.5% for university graduates of North African origin. (Source). A report of Amnesty International investigates racially motivated executions in French banlieue's, murders and abuses committed by the French police and the leniency expressed by the French government into investigating such cases has been published April 2, 2009. The report has mostly been censored by French news. You can find it here: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2009/apr/ai-france-police-report.pdf. The riots in 2005 that left France in a state of emergency only brought the problem to light for a brief period.

It doesn't help also, that although understated, the French terrorists that attacked the satirical newspaper were brainwashed in prison, of which 70% of the inmates are Muslim. When the dust settles, I think at least one of these attackers will be a disgruntled French Muslim from the French Banlieue's brainwashed from the very same prisons.

France does not allow statitics based on ethnicity or religion wether such statistics come from NGOs or official governement agencies so I highly doubt the scientific validity of those numbers. They are very rough estimates at best.

There's no deniying that there are social issues in France, occurences when integration can be difficult, but suggesting that there is some sort institutionnalized racism (or even better a "racist rampage" whatever you meant by that) directed towards Muslims borders on stupidity and ignorance.

And finally using those social issues as the sole explanation of those terrible acts is extremely shortsighted. It is probably part of the big picture in some capacity, but that is also ignoring the fact that amongst those from western countries who joined ISIS in the past few year, where also young men from well integrated, middle class families. And I'm leaving the newly converted people out of the picture. Case in point there is just no easy answer as to why these things happen, why some people chose the path of integrism and violence and what we can do to stop them.

 

[PacificBoy]

The thing is are they targeting France specifically. The three incidents could be isolated, but it seems weird.

I'd say yes. David Cameron said UK foiled seven potential attacks in the last six months, and UK, along with France, are the two European countries most heavily involved in the Syrian civil war. France is more vulnerable because it's within the borderless Schengen area (unlike the UK) and closer to terrorism hotbeds like Molenbeek in Belgium.

 

[DeadPresident]

Also, let's be blunt about this, certain Islamist exponents are by and large the only groups across Europe that have tried to import their beliefs and usurp the native culture. People would be throwing fits if African, Asian or South American immigrants were trying to "convert" certain areas of a sovereign nation according to their own cultural norms. There are plenty of Muslims, the vast majority, who are well assimilated in whichever country they've settled, but the expansionist minority need to be discouraged if they're making life difficult for the natives. The whole reason for nation states is to preserve the historical and cultural fabric of that country, if it's permissible for certain groups to try and make attempts on that history or culture the global community either needs to stamp that out, or do away with the notion of national sovereignty altogether.

 

[PacificBoy]

As an outsider, as a non-European that's my impression as well. The European model for multiculturalism seems to be failing.

 

[Unbreakable Lex]

As an outsider, as a non-European that's my impression as well. The European model for multiculturalism seems to be failing.

Good article on that here:

http://www.economist.com/blogs/eras...islam?fsrc=scn/tw/te/bl/ed/terrorinparishebdo

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

As an outsider, as a non-European that's my impression as well. The European model for multiculturalism seems to be failing.

I wonder if things would still be bad without the recession and terrorism.

Those two really create an environment hostile to immigrants.

 

[chamber-music]

As an outsider, as a non-European that's my impression as well. The European model for multiculturalism seems to be failing.

As a European it doesn't seem to be to me.

Possibly up to a couple hundred individuals in a population of millions immigrants or descendants of doesn't indicate the collapse multiculturalism in my eyes. I live in London which is and always has been a immigrant heavy city. I interact with people from all over the the world and they all get along great. Most immigrants I have met in my life integrate into the country just fine.

 

[Teelie]

In Lebanon, a man named Adel Termos threw himself at an ISIS suicide bomber to save a crowd of people from being killed. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/13/lebanon-families-mourn-victims-beirut-bombings

It is really too bad this is not getting the attention it deserves. He prevented a similar attack but because it was not in a European country no one is giving it much publicity.

 

[Pink Ranger]

I've had a holiday planned and now I'm second guessing to go or not.

Did Anne Hathaway back down when she was being forced out of her successful dotcom company? No! Did she back down when threatened with death by a roided-up Tom Hardy? No! Did she back down when the diabolical Viscount Mabrey tried to take the throne of Genovia? No!

Anne Hathaway never backs down, and neither should you!

 

[Victarion]

The thing is are they targeting France specifically. The three incidents could be isolated, but it seems weird.

I read it was because Paris has a lot of prostitutes. Makes me fear for New Orleans. I don't know why our refugees are being sent there. It's a fun town with plenty of diversions, but it seems like some wicked culture shock for them.

 

[terry78]

Did Anne Hathaway back down when she was being forced out of her successful dotcom company? No! Did she back down when threatened with death by a roided-up Tom Hardy? No! Did she back down when the diabolical Viscount Mabrey tried to take the throne of Genovia? No!

Anne Hathaway never backs down, and neither should you!

It was getting way too normal in here anyway

 

[Marvolo]

Islamic State Threatens To Attack Washington

Islamic State warned in a new video on Monday that countries taking part in air strikes against Syria would suffer the same fate as France, and threatened to attack in Washington.

The video, which appeared on a site used by Islamic State to post its messages, begins with news footage of the aftermath of Friday's Paris shootings in which at least 129 people were killed.

The message to countries involved in what it called the "crusader campaign" was delivered by a man dressed in fatigues and a turban, and identified in subtitles as Al Ghareeb the Algerian.

"We say to the states that take part in the crusader campaign that, by God, you will have a day, God willing, like France's and by God, as we struck France in the center of its abode in Paris, then we swear that we will strike America at its center in Washington," the man said.

It was not immediately possible to verify the authenticity of the video, which purports to be the work of Islamic State fighters in the Iraqi province of Salahuddine, north of Baghdad.

The French government has called the Paris attacks an act of war and said it would not end its air strikes against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

French fighter jets launched their biggest raids in Syria to date on Sunday targeting theIslamic State's stronghold in the city of Raqqa. The operation was carried out in coordination with U.S. forces.
Police raided homes of suspected Islamist militants across France overnight following the Paris attacks.

"Al Ghareeb the Algerian" also warned Europe in the video that more attacks were coming.

"I say to the European countries that we are coming, coming with booby traps and explosives, coming with explosive belts and (gun) silencers and you will be unable to stop us because today we are much stronger than before," he said.

Apparently referring to international talks to end the Syrian war, another man identified in the video as Al Karrar the Iraqi tells French President Francois Hollande

"we have decided to negotiate with you in the trenches and not in the hotels."

(Reporting by Ahmed Tolba and Lin Noueihed, editing by Ahmed Aboulenein, Michael Georgy and David Stamp)

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5649d815e4b08cda34898214

 

[terry78]

They really want to play this game?