Thoughts on happenings in France

[Leon]

I couldn't believe this when I saw the first news reports on Friday night.  There was a minute silence at the Warfare show on Saturday, which was a nice touch from the organisers.  I really despair at times like this, I don't know what the best response is to attacks like these but we need to stop them from happening.  Simply bombing the region into dust isn't the answer.

I'm glad to hear that our forum members and their families are safe and my thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones.

[FierceKitty]

I hope Merkel's consistently humane and sensible voice has been noted in the last year or so.

[FierceKitty]

lumps. I must not type before coffee.

[ronan]

Now it's happening in Mali.   

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

When can we all just learn to get on! 

[Techno]

Very, very sadly, I fear this 'sort of thing' is going to go on for quite a while, Ronan.  
You're right, Will !
In despair - Phil.

[Luddite]

The Mali thing's unfolding today.  Seems to be another attack on mainly the French (tourists this time).

The terrible events in Paris were all the more terrible for the same reason the Pals Battalions were during WWI; that is, in Paris it was families out together and so the deaths were multiple people from the same family and friend groups.

This sort of thing has always happened and may (although I hope not) always happen.  
Its simply the product of bad ideas.  
In my view this particular conflict is blighted by two particularly bad ideas - capitalism and religion.  
While these bad ideas are playing out over the Middle East, we need to steel ourselves for more atrocities, from drone strikes to 'smart' bombs to suicidal murderers.

You can't kill ideas, so the only way we're going to ever stop this is through challenging and defeating the bad ideas, and educating everyone to embrace good ideas.  

What are 'good ideas'?  Difficult to say, but I'd suggest anything that doesn't involve harming or killing other people is heading in the right direction.  The trouble is of course, that the people in power have no interest in doing anything about this.  For them, war is good business, and nothing kicks up a war like religion.  

[ronan]

You're right.


( I once read every xx15 year in each century was a bad year for France    )

[Techno]

You can't kill ideas, so the only way we're going to ever stop this is through challenging and defeating the bad ideas, and educating everyone to embrace good ideas.  

Very true......But let's not start a row over differing views about politics and religion.

Cheers - Phil

[Leon]

Thought this was worth posting, sums things up quite well.

And a similar one although with slightly stronger language and definitely not safe for work.

[Bodvoc]

Well said Andrew Neill, not often I agree with him but he is spot on there!

[FierceKitty]

I'd vote for you, Luddite.

[Leman]

With the Mali business being Al Quaeda it looks to me like there is now a power struggle going on between them and Isis.

[barbarian]

Competing to see who is the most moron.