Mr. Taia, the world would be safer if you led a movement of a few hundred thousand liberal Muslims to join the military of their respective western nations so as to lend their expertise and credibility to the effort to wipe ISIS off the face of the planet. I don't have recent figures, but there were all of 3,409 active duty Muslims in the American military as of 2008, according to the Wall Street Journal. Come on. Considering the events of the last 20 years, that's kind of lame.
11
Follow the Money: From Paris to ISIS to Paris, Corbett • 11/18/2015, https://www.corbettreport.com/follow-the-money-from-paris-to-isis-to-par... CorbettReportRSS (The Corbett Report)
In late 2012 it was revealed that one of the most prominent backers of the Syrian terrorists was the French government, who in addition to their illegal arms shipments were also delivering money directly to the terrorist opposition leaders.
Last year the French arms export industry enjoyed its best sales in 15 years, with revenues up 18%. The reason for the Merchant of Death bonanza? A spike in sales to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, two of the main funders and supporters of ISIS.
Of course, not all of the blame for the fostering, funding, arming, equipping and training of ISIS belongs to France. Much of it belongs to the United States, its Gulf allies, Turkey and Israel, as well as assorted other NATO members. But there is a line to be drawn from the arms and funds that France supplied to the “moderate” terrorists in Syria and the seeming international operational abilities of this seemingly unstoppable terrorist boogeyman group.
France is a nation in mourning. But perhaps the French people can reserve at least some of their outrage for the government which has used their own tax money to fund, supply and support the terrorists they are now at war with.
In late 2012 it was revealed that one of the most prominent backers of the Syrian terrorists was the French government, who in addition to their illegal arms shipments were also delivering money directly to the terrorist opposition leaders.
Last year the French arms export industry enjoyed its best sales in 15 years, with revenues up 18%. The reason for the Merchant of Death bonanza? A spike in sales to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, two of the main funders and supporters of ISIS.
Of course, not all of the blame for the fostering, funding, arming, equipping and training of ISIS belongs to France. Much of it belongs to the United States, its Gulf allies, Turkey and Israel, as well as assorted other NATO members. But there is a line to be drawn from the arms and funds that France supplied to the “moderate” terrorists in Syria and the seeming international operational abilities of this seemingly unstoppable terrorist boogeyman group.
France is a nation in mourning. But perhaps the French people can reserve at least some of their outrage for the government which has used their own tax money to fund, supply and support the terrorists they are now at war with.
1
Is anyplace place safe? In America the answer is NO. Any parent who sends their child off to school in the morning know this. Any person who walks into a movie theatre or church must accept this. Our congress and the NRA have decided our way of life must include putting our children and ourselves at risk of being killed by our home grown terrorists (alienated angry youth).
12
No free society is safe. One acting out person can cause considerable damage and death, which is then amplified repeatedly on instantaneous mass media. In theory, larger, coordinated efforts are more easily thwarted. But small numbers can more easily operate under the radar. An un-free, tightly controlled society may be more safe from attacks by individuals or small groups, but then overall living is much less enjoyable. Such a deal, reality.
3
What matters now is kindness.
5
The attack, like the religious belief behind it, is irrational. That isn't to say any religious belief is rational or that there has not been an evolution in most religion's mythology which may or may not advance in the Muslim interpretation of life. Until then reason is on hiatus
1
"... The attack, like the religious belief behind it ..."
What is the religious belief behind these or any attacks?
This is not religion, it is not "the Muslim interpretation of life".
Such attacks are brought on by hatred and a misguided attempt at
obtaining power, not by religion.
What is the religious belief behind these or any attacks?
This is not religion, it is not "the Muslim interpretation of life".
Such attacks are brought on by hatred and a misguided attempt at
obtaining power, not by religion.
2
Yes, the issue is assimilation. It must be required for societies to function after accepting large swathes of immigrants. Political correctness has allowed for too much toleration of pre-existing beliefs of all sorts and not enough required assimilation. It don't work out well for those with these immigrant populations and it doesn't work out too well for the minorities themselves. This is an historical fact.
4
I keep hearing Muslims say the best way to fight Islamic terrorism is take in even more Muslim immigrants and be even more hospitable to them. I keep hearing that ISIS "wants people to hate Muslims" so we are fighting terrorism by blinding loving them even more! The self serving manipulation makes me want to puke. It is simply playing good cop to the terrorists bad cop but pretending otherwise. Yes, every Islamic terrorist attack should result in more Muslims being allowed in our country and non-Muslims being even more subservient to Islam. After 10 or so more terrorist attacks Muslims will have successfully bend the west to their will.
4
It's up to the peaceful, good, law abiding Muslims to come out in force and protest loud and clear against the Muslim terrorists. If your people are afraid of them, think how the rest of us feel. Your silence is deafening.
13
Once again I am disheartened and disgusted with the reaction to an Islamic terrorist attack. The bodies aren't even cold because Muslims are proclaiming "terrorism has no religion" and that the most important things for people to do is 1) not mention the perps are Muslims 2) be vigilant against Islamaphobia. These same people would be responding with virulent anti-Jewish hatred if the perps had been Isreali Jews.
The race card, the poverty card, the Islamaphobia card, the "marginalization" card all serve the same purpose- they allow people to sympathize with the perps due to racial, cultural, ideological or religious solidarity without looking as though they are doing so. Women, gays, Jews and many others face demonization and discrimination yet do not have these problems with violence. It is ironic that the group who claim that bigotry causes them to be violent are on the giving end of bigotry and violence towards gays, Jews and women on an epidemic level.
Muslims have told me my whole life that the behavior of Israel causes anti-Semitism. Yet these same people refuse to accept that many negative feelings towards them are caused by their behavior and attitudes.
Most Muslims might not be terrorists or vocally support them but most seem to place the blame of Islamic terrorism on non-Muslims. This causes more anti-Muslim resentment in me then the terrorist attacks themselves.
The race card, the poverty card, the Islamaphobia card, the "marginalization" card all serve the same purpose- they allow people to sympathize with the perps due to racial, cultural, ideological or religious solidarity without looking as though they are doing so. Women, gays, Jews and many others face demonization and discrimination yet do not have these problems with violence. It is ironic that the group who claim that bigotry causes them to be violent are on the giving end of bigotry and violence towards gays, Jews and women on an epidemic level.
Muslims have told me my whole life that the behavior of Israel causes anti-Semitism. Yet these same people refuse to accept that many negative feelings towards them are caused by their behavior and attitudes.
Most Muslims might not be terrorists or vocally support them but most seem to place the blame of Islamic terrorism on non-Muslims. This causes more anti-Muslim resentment in me then the terrorist attacks themselves.
12
We can bomb both Iraq and Syria into a mass of rubble, if that is our desire. But from that rubble will grow the shoots of the next incarnation of the Taliban/Al-Qaeda/AQAP/Daesh. Until the underlying economic and social issues are addressed, further radicalism is guaranteed.
2
Every chance you get, love.
5
We are going to live right where we are. If no place is perfectly safe, then there is no point in trying to find that Shangri-La. Britons lived through the Blitz. France lived through the Nazi Occupation. Japan lived through two atomic bombs. New York got through 9/11 attacks that killed 10 times as many people as this attack. You will get through this too.
5
Islamic extremist brought their war to Paris and their ideology and radical hate killed 129 innocents. My question to Mr. Taia is where is the outrage? As a Muslim I would hope he realizes that good people of the world do not condemn Muslims but do expect that the influential Muslim leaders should be the first to express outrage and condemnation. I hear none of this here.
20
Anyone reading this was alive before 2001, and knows that America has been changed because of it in many ways, and not for the better. It’s possible that the deep divisions among Americans ever since are related. Some thought Obama could bridge them, but it may be far beyond any President anymore.
2
Here is another piece where the author prefer to focus blame on the victims of terrorist atrocities, rather than acknowledge the underlying origin of these hateful crimes, radical Islam. First, he blames "the neglect of our youth." As some of the commentators have already pointed out, terrorists do not all come poor backgrounds. And, why is it that the poor youth of other cultures, such as Tibet and India, are not terrorizing the world? Could it be that the most fundamental cause of radicalization is not 'neglected' youth but the ideology of Islam?
And, as for the French reacting to the Paris attacks with "Islamophobic hysteria", actually as people all over the world know, the threat of Islamic ideology is real.
And, as for the French reacting to the Paris attacks with "Islamophobic hysteria", actually as people all over the world know, the threat of Islamic ideology is real.
23
What motivates ISIL? Are they really so very different from our own inner city gangs and rural white supremacists? Only in a matter of degree and their willingness to target innocent civilians. They are hopeless and disaffected people who have found meaning in their well defined, if murderously antisocial, subculture. We can hunt them down and kill them, but we won't eliminate them unless we figure out how to draw them back into the world that embraces the values we hold so dear.
2
I read with interest how people innumerate the many virtues of France, its freedom and general joi de vie. Generally true no doubt. If you are tempted to throw stones (or bombs) at Islam and the heart/brain-dead ISIS (and who isn't) it's time to reflect.
If you fear "safety" is gone forever, it's important to remember how many years did the streets run red with the blood from la guillotine, all in the name of "Liberté, égalité, fraternité? Here in the US, how many thousands of Native Americans were summarily murdered by "Christian" soldiers and bureaucrats because we wanted their land and justified its theft and their removal because the political power of the time scorned their life style and cultural values?
Life is dangerous in proportion to the degree by which humans let their fear, bigotry, greed, vengeance, hatred of "the other" overwhelm all notions of humanity, compassion and fairness (eg: giving the unknown refugee the benefit of doubt).
If you don't think human behavior is changeable, life will continue on in this vein forever—or likely worsen. If you do think it is amenable to change, begin the process within.
Better, safer times are a matter of individual decisions made millions of times, not by millions of guns and "may the meanest badass win". Personally, I will risk the terrorist threat to save what we all believed once defined this country—a haven of opportunity to live free, not necessarily free from restraint but at least free from oppression.
If you fear "safety" is gone forever, it's important to remember how many years did the streets run red with the blood from la guillotine, all in the name of "Liberté, égalité, fraternité? Here in the US, how many thousands of Native Americans were summarily murdered by "Christian" soldiers and bureaucrats because we wanted their land and justified its theft and their removal because the political power of the time scorned their life style and cultural values?
Life is dangerous in proportion to the degree by which humans let their fear, bigotry, greed, vengeance, hatred of "the other" overwhelm all notions of humanity, compassion and fairness (eg: giving the unknown refugee the benefit of doubt).
If you don't think human behavior is changeable, life will continue on in this vein forever—or likely worsen. If you do think it is amenable to change, begin the process within.
Better, safer times are a matter of individual decisions made millions of times, not by millions of guns and "may the meanest badass win". Personally, I will risk the terrorist threat to save what we all believed once defined this country—a haven of opportunity to live free, not necessarily free from restraint but at least free from oppression.
6
In 2013 we suffered the Marathon Bombing which was the irrational act of two disaffected brothers. Boston has not caved in to that attack. Life goes on. We try to be careful when an event will be attended by large numbers of people. Living in fear would be a consession to the terrorists. We will extract justice from the one surviving brother, who will be put to death in the course of time.
In a similar way, civilized society needs to go on with life, and to take those actions that will diminish or end the power of terrorists to control what we do. Hopefully, France, Russia, the US and other counties will take the necessary military and legal actions to cut ISIS and similar terrorists down to size. We defeated the Nazis in World War II. ISIS are small beer compared to 1930s Germany. We will defeat them in time.
In a similar way, civilized society needs to go on with life, and to take those actions that will diminish or end the power of terrorists to control what we do. Hopefully, France, Russia, the US and other counties will take the necessary military and legal actions to cut ISIS and similar terrorists down to size. We defeated the Nazis in World War II. ISIS are small beer compared to 1930s Germany. We will defeat them in time.
4
No place is safe. Possibly no place ever was. You just live and be free and hope for the best. If something happens, it happens. Live without fear. That is the only path to freedom and to life.
5
So sad, so true and reminding me, with sudden grief, how I felt on September 11. I walked downtown, eyes glued to the sky, not knowing if my steps would take me into or away from more carnage, yet I had to leave the safety of my office.
They say we learn from our mistakes but in truth, do we?
They say we learn from our mistakes but in truth, do we?
1
The Paris attack simply demonstrates the folly of squandering billions of dollars surrounding every government building with concrete flower pots and 24-hour armed guards inside and out. Put the money into national infrastructure that will last long after this most recent terror group has been forgotten.
1
The answer to this question is 'No'. And few other places this know this better than New York City. That realization arrived on a morning in September by way of a hard-learned lesson that woke us out of our dozing complacency, and a sense of entitled security. It was a truth that came crashing down on us, as surely as those doomed towers fell. It didn't matter that we were separated by miles and oceans from those who wished us harm, any more than it made a difference that the victims were civilians and not part of some religious war declared against humanity. So, to answer the question again: 'Is Any Place Safe?' No. The answer is no.
2
It is fear that drives us to hate. The world, not just France, has lost its innocence and cannot close its eyes to the suffering and needs of others. Probably safety exists nowhere in the world, but we need to keep our humanity and values intact in the face of fear. Open our arms to suffering people who are asking the world, "Where will we live?" Find a place in our hearts and our countries to welcome the oppressed and not hate. A suffering person who cannot answer "Where will we live?" will suffer more and learn to share a terrorist's hatred for France, The US, and on and on.
1
Paris will be fine. It survived much worse in WWII.
The author of this piece found something in Paris that attracted him and he made himself a home. He shared certain values with Parisians. Many of the migrants coming to Europe are escaping a failed state not necessarily making a conscious decision to choose something better. Therein lies a problem.
When they reach their European destination they feel isolated as they don't share enough of the same values and may find Europeans too liberal amongst a variety of other things. As they look to find themselves the next generation turns to religion and some to radical Islam which has no tolerance for the West. Many land in ghettos where they share the same Middle East and African culture and belief systems with each other but far away from their native homes.
The point is that Europe does not feel like home to many of them and Europe does not want to change to fit Middle Eastern and African values. We in the West should lose this arrogance that the West is a better place for these migrants to land. It's traumatic to be pushed out of their homes and they may never quite pining for what they had in their homeland.
The author of this piece found something in Paris that attracted him and he made himself a home. He shared certain values with Parisians. Many of the migrants coming to Europe are escaping a failed state not necessarily making a conscious decision to choose something better. Therein lies a problem.
When they reach their European destination they feel isolated as they don't share enough of the same values and may find Europeans too liberal amongst a variety of other things. As they look to find themselves the next generation turns to religion and some to radical Islam which has no tolerance for the West. Many land in ghettos where they share the same Middle East and African culture and belief systems with each other but far away from their native homes.
The point is that Europe does not feel like home to many of them and Europe does not want to change to fit Middle Eastern and African values. We in the West should lose this arrogance that the West is a better place for these migrants to land. It's traumatic to be pushed out of their homes and they may never quite pining for what they had in their homeland.
6
As many readers have commented,safety is relative,subjective and changes over time.Safety is also determined by one's own actions and the actions of those around us,including governments and their agencies.What is becoming clear is that subtle changes in the balance between privacy and security may be necessary for us to enjoy the freedom we love.Similarly,minor inconveniences in the name of security may need to become a way of life until there is a change in the threat level.To deny the necessity for such changes in the name of "liberty"freedom and democratic principles will be as "unenlightened" as emotionally driven tilting towards authoritarianism or changes in our fundamental way of life.
I empathize with the writer and other moderate moslems but I cannot help thinking, when I read articles such as these, that they should stop mentioning "The neglect of a segment of our youth (especially those of Maghrebi origin, from countries like Morocco or Algeria) is an undeniable reality". Let us not forget that moslems who live in western countries have come on their own, no one forced them, and they have chosen to not assimilate into or join the mainstream. As a result they have been marginalized - what else would you expect to happen in a free society? Sure, the western majority can be more accommodating of the moslem minority, but isn't the onus more on minority communities to adapt rather than the other way around? And to respond to alienation by becoming terrorists and blowing up innocent people - how is that even remotely justified?
I would much rather if this article focussed on the problem within the moslem communities that create such an outcome. Moslems in western countries should stop acting as victims, and instead talk about specific ways they can partner with the western majority to help eliminate cancer within their community. They should stop trying to play a bridge role between middle east and western societies, and rather identify openly with the western society (if they indeed identify accordingly).
I would much rather if this article focussed on the problem within the moslem communities that create such an outcome. Moslems in western countries should stop acting as victims, and instead talk about specific ways they can partner with the western majority to help eliminate cancer within their community. They should stop trying to play a bridge role between middle east and western societies, and rather identify openly with the western society (if they indeed identify accordingly).
11
It is the never ending manufacture and sales of weapons and arms of all types and sizes that is hurting humanity on a global scale.
I got this from Thich Nhat Hahn, a well known Buddhist monk, and I know he is not the first to say this.
The Buddhists acknowledge that it would probably be impossible to stop the arms industry from the continuing manufacture and sales of arms since it is such an enormously profitable venture.
I got this from Thich Nhat Hahn, a well known Buddhist monk, and I know he is not the first to say this.
The Buddhists acknowledge that it would probably be impossible to stop the arms industry from the continuing manufacture and sales of arms since it is such an enormously profitable venture.
1
I enjoy and appreciate the naïveté of certain religious philosophies. However, Buddhists were around when Genghis Khan conquered the entirety of the known world without a single firearm.
Thich Nhat Hahn is well aware that war begins in the mind, not on the assembly line.
Thich Nhat Hahn is well aware that war begins in the mind, not on the assembly line.
1
I sympathize with the author, but he offers no solutions other than a vague "don't be like the governments in Muslim countries." This does not move anything further. What non-Muslims need are systems in place to allow entry only those people (including Muslims) like the author, who share the values of the people in the countries they are trying to enter. Without those systems in place there is still a great likelihood that what happened in Paris is just one more example of jihadi terrorism, that is different in degree ...but not in kind ...from the 9/11 attack on the US, the attack on Charlie Hebdo, the attack on the Madrid train station. the coordinated attacks on British trains, and the everyday slaughter that goes on in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Yemen, and everywhere else the jihadis are present.
What is needed are strong statements and protest demonstrations by other Muslims who share western values of total opposition to jihadi terrorists and their silent supporters, whatever the reasons the jihadis are killing non-Muslims. Muslims also must support those processes that will allow emigration to the west by those Muslims who share western values and keep "terrorists in disguise" from entering non-Muslim countries in order to spread terrorism.
What is needed are strong statements and protest demonstrations by other Muslims who share western values of total opposition to jihadi terrorists and their silent supporters, whatever the reasons the jihadis are killing non-Muslims. Muslims also must support those processes that will allow emigration to the west by those Muslims who share western values and keep "terrorists in disguise" from entering non-Muslim countries in order to spread terrorism.
2
Where is the perspective? Here in Kansas, where I presently sit, I recall Tim McVey and the rabid nazi quasi christian sects in the hustings of Missouri who attacked fellow christians visiting the wonderful Jewish Community Center as a present threat. ISIS? Between me and ISIS are dozens of cults armed to the teeth and ready to overthrow the US government under the cry of Second Amendment Freedom. Grow up France. Check out your history of barbarity committed in Northern Africa for a lesson as stark as our own here with our native people. Until we believe as much in peace, all of us, as we do in killing one another this will never end, Paris, Overland Park, anywhere.
Secular society- democratic, tolerant, free-thinking, has given the world what theocracy and nationalistic mythology never has. Human dignity has flourished free of the boot heel of superstition. There are many in the US who call for a religious "restoration" but it is rather toward a secular restoration to we should turn. While Islamic terrorists were attacking Paris, free men and women stood up and rejected the intolerance of a religion in Utah. We cannot ignore violent threats, but we must always resist, never submitting, to fundamentalists of any stripe. - a disbelieving american
1
You left for France because of its values. Those are not the values of the region you left nor the Islamic extremists. You would be killed in a horrific way by ISIS and its ilk for being gay. France and every other liberal democracy have a right and indeed a duty to protect their citizens from this nihilistic scourge of death. They are the haters. They hate modernity. They hate freedom. They hate everyone not like them. They cannot be reasoned with because they are barbaric, and have nothing to offer but the cult of hate and death. Those that come to live in countries like France must abide by an unwritten social contract to buy into the civil liberties of the society they have joined. That is the very reason they immigrated. They can assimilate without giving up their heritage, but must give up some of the mindset that is contrary to modern liberal democracies regarding the status of women and many other things. That is the price you pay to escape the medieval values of extreme Islam. There is no completely safe place, but you must do your part to make it so. We all must do so.
9
Enough of the bleeding heart pleas for compassion and other weak values. It is time to face up to the fact that ISIS is using an entirely different play book from the one employed by the US and our allies. ISIS' playbook has no moral, economic, or religious restrictions on murder, torture, or ethnic cleansing. The US and our allies' playbook speaks of morality. compassion, and historic acceptance.
ISIS is winning and we are losing since the only thing ISIS understands is unbridled violence in the name of their God. The only way to defeat ISIS is to use their playbook and execute a battle plan that instills terror in their forces. Our current slow-motion war on ISIS is a joke in their eyes and is seen as weak in the face of ISIS' ruthless election of power.
Carpet bombing with napalm and high explosives of every ISIS base, town, city, and their forces will have a double effect. First, it will severely deplete their forces and make supporting ISIS extremely hazardous. Second, it will instill a sense of fear far beyond their ability to respond. The only way to eliminate ISIS IS to eliminate them with a massive totally non-nuclear "shock and awe" that renders the ISIS Caliphate to dust and smoking ruins.
Any questions?
ISIS is winning and we are losing since the only thing ISIS understands is unbridled violence in the name of their God. The only way to defeat ISIS is to use their playbook and execute a battle plan that instills terror in their forces. Our current slow-motion war on ISIS is a joke in their eyes and is seen as weak in the face of ISIS' ruthless election of power.
Carpet bombing with napalm and high explosives of every ISIS base, town, city, and their forces will have a double effect. First, it will severely deplete their forces and make supporting ISIS extremely hazardous. Second, it will instill a sense of fear far beyond their ability to respond. The only way to eliminate ISIS IS to eliminate them with a massive totally non-nuclear "shock and awe" that renders the ISIS Caliphate to dust and smoking ruins.
Any questions?
2
A lot of words about how Paris and France are losing its values. Nothing about the killings, and terrorists and the values they have derived from Islam. Mr. Taia has a lot to learn; being objective and rational will be a good start.
11
As an understatement, France is a civilized country; a vibrant culture of art, music, literature and kindness.
Contrast with Her enemies; no art, no music; no literature and no compassion. Could the writer find acceptance of her / his gender preference in a non-pluralistic dessert? Do not fret about France losing Her direction. Do something about the medieval wasteland the terrorists come from.
Contrast with Her enemies; no art, no music; no literature and no compassion. Could the writer find acceptance of her / his gender preference in a non-pluralistic dessert? Do not fret about France losing Her direction. Do something about the medieval wasteland the terrorists come from.
10
Asymmetric warfare.
I wonder how much money it cost Daesh to terrorize Paris versus how much it is costing France to retaliate?
Bin Laden said they would bleed us dry...and Daesh is not Al-Qaeda but they spring from the same place.
How do you stop a religious war, that has been going on, in one form or another, for centuries?
I don't know what the answer is.
I wonder how much money it cost Daesh to terrorize Paris versus how much it is costing France to retaliate?
Bin Laden said they would bleed us dry...and Daesh is not Al-Qaeda but they spring from the same place.
How do you stop a religious war, that has been going on, in one form or another, for centuries?
I don't know what the answer is.
1
Please! What happened in Paris not WAR. A terrorist attack is terrible, but it is not war. That no place may be completely safe is terrible (though I think this has been the case for some years), but that doesn't equate to war.
1
Don't jump the gun! When NYC was attacked in 2001 I felt same as you. Guess what? I feel pretty safe these days and I am still free to be whatever I want to be and think whatever I want to think..... The sky HAS NOT FALLEN, but we have a bunch of murderous thugs that we need to deal with or the murders will continue.
And it is MURDER....mass murder, but murder nonetheless. Take the hyperbole out of the equation and you will see that when you reduce things to their most basic level, your life remains unchanged. Not your sense of safety, I get that, but your practical day-to-day life remains unchanged.
So what to do?
TALK. WRITE. Make your voice heard as you are doing now. Show the world why Paris is such a great place by believing in her ability to endure.....
And it is MURDER....mass murder, but murder nonetheless. Take the hyperbole out of the equation and you will see that when you reduce things to their most basic level, your life remains unchanged. Not your sense of safety, I get that, but your practical day-to-day life remains unchanged.
So what to do?
TALK. WRITE. Make your voice heard as you are doing now. Show the world why Paris is such a great place by believing in her ability to endure.....
1
Please define "safe"........Timothy McVeigh murdered more than 180 people, including women and small children and babies. And they all assumed that they were safe in that building. I do not believe there exists such a place as "safe", if we are to mingle with our fellow citizens. But, you are right: "The borders are gone".
4
The 2 U.S. led invasions has already created the divide between the Western and Muslim world. No diplomacy or change of strategy is going to ameliorate "hard feelings." Radical Islam is bent on revenge and as we continue to drop bombs and deploy "special ops" the edict is out, "I will avenge, my son will avenge and his son will avenge.." Get ready for an interesting [next] 3 generations. The only way out of this is genocide- are we ready to go down that path?
Nonsense. What did Ghandi say?
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind"
I reject violence as anything other than the response of the ignorant.
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind"
I reject violence as anything other than the response of the ignorant.
2
Right, if countries take steps to protect themselves from terrorists, the terrorist win. Better to do nothing, no let more potential enemies in. That will show them.
Sounds like plan
Sounds like plan
8
Before we allow the xenophobes to block Syrian immigration to the US we would be wise to take a deep breath and do some serious thinking. While it is apparently true that there was a Syrian passport holding terrorist, there were apparently also French citizens and Belgian Citizens intimately involved. We do not know for sure who the other conspirators and planners were, nor where they came from. So, are those proposing that we block Syrian immigration also in favor of blocking French and Belgian citizens from immigrating and even visiting as tourists?
Certainly, we should take every precaution to ensure that no known or suspected sympathizers of ISIS or other terrorist organizations gain entry to the U.S., and that a thorough vetting of all immigrants, tourists and visa holders be done.
Should the French and Belgians be blocked? What about the English, since we know there are also UK citizens who have gone to fight for ISIS.
If we go down the path of an absolute block on Syrians, where does it end?
Certainly, we should take every precaution to ensure that no known or suspected sympathizers of ISIS or other terrorist organizations gain entry to the U.S., and that a thorough vetting of all immigrants, tourists and visa holders be done.
Should the French and Belgians be blocked? What about the English, since we know there are also UK citizens who have gone to fight for ISIS.
If we go down the path of an absolute block on Syrians, where does it end?
A compelling encapsulation of what the Paris attack has wrought. Oh that I had visited while Paris was still free. Was it ever free? The government of France, as that of the U.S., is a wet blanket on freedom. Can you own your own home in France or America, or is the state your landlord charging you rent (taxes), and will take your (?) home from you if you don't pay. What about the fruit of your labor? Is it really yours, or does the state have a prior claim on it, which it deducts before you even see it? Can the military take your children for war by force? Even chattel slaves in the Old South didn't face that indignity.
Can you carry a concealed weapon on your person to defend yourself against a terrorist assault? Or does the state control guns, even declaring areas where young people assembly (schools, concerts, sports arenas) "gun-free zones," which make such inviting "soft" targets for terrorists? Does your government engage in foreign intrigues and wars, which spawn terrorists? Does the state to which you give your allegiance have a military so powerful no rational enemy would attack it directly, but would instead engage in clandestine terror?
The state, the rule of law, government "security", have all played out their usefulness and now do more harm than good. It is time, to look for new social systems not predicated on the use of force and coercion. Violence begets violence, it can never serve to suppress it. I suggest voluntaryism.
Can you carry a concealed weapon on your person to defend yourself against a terrorist assault? Or does the state control guns, even declaring areas where young people assembly (schools, concerts, sports arenas) "gun-free zones," which make such inviting "soft" targets for terrorists? Does your government engage in foreign intrigues and wars, which spawn terrorists? Does the state to which you give your allegiance have a military so powerful no rational enemy would attack it directly, but would instead engage in clandestine terror?
The state, the rule of law, government "security", have all played out their usefulness and now do more harm than good. It is time, to look for new social systems not predicated on the use of force and coercion. Violence begets violence, it can never serve to suppress it. I suggest voluntaryism.
I'm a veteran. I served in Berlin during the height of the Cold War, when I was young and tough (I'm still tough). My work was classified. I saw armed East German "Vopos" every day, barbed wire, the "no-man's land" and gun towers of the Wall, where many innocents died trying to escape East Berlin, East Germany. Now, 45 years later, it appears things are much, much worse.
Assuming for the moment our intelligence agencies know what they're doing, are providing good intel to our leaders, and there is in fact a coordinated, NATO-centric effort to "crush" ISIS underway (the latter assumption still a big question), I would align myself with the comments Col. Jack Jacobs made last night on the Stephen Colbert show. Namely, it will take "a quarter million" ground troops, along with air strikes, to eventually destroy ISIS, a massive effort that could take "a decade or more". What countries, what leaders, are prepared to undertake this effort, and at what financial cost?
It's so easy for our politicians to spout drivel about "wiping out" these barbarians, but how? Who will do it? Under what conditions of engagement? Frankly, I wonder if our leaders are up to this, if they are able to comprehend the threat of ISIS to Western Civilization, as we've known it since WWII.
Maybe the Pope is right, and this is the beginning of a "Third World War". I hope not, but "if it walks like a duck, swims like a duck, quacks like a duck..."
Assuming for the moment our intelligence agencies know what they're doing, are providing good intel to our leaders, and there is in fact a coordinated, NATO-centric effort to "crush" ISIS underway (the latter assumption still a big question), I would align myself with the comments Col. Jack Jacobs made last night on the Stephen Colbert show. Namely, it will take "a quarter million" ground troops, along with air strikes, to eventually destroy ISIS, a massive effort that could take "a decade or more". What countries, what leaders, are prepared to undertake this effort, and at what financial cost?
It's so easy for our politicians to spout drivel about "wiping out" these barbarians, but how? Who will do it? Under what conditions of engagement? Frankly, I wonder if our leaders are up to this, if they are able to comprehend the threat of ISIS to Western Civilization, as we've known it since WWII.
Maybe the Pope is right, and this is the beginning of a "Third World War". I hope not, but "if it walks like a duck, swims like a duck, quacks like a duck..."
1
Safety depends upon the specific context and perspective. Compared to the people living in nations that have been left with 250,000 dead Syrians and 200,000 dead Iraqis, Paris and France are quite safe and secure. Compared to what happened in World War I and World War II particularly in the Soviet Union and China, France is very safe. In contrast to what happened in America during the Civil War, France is quite safe. From the perspective of the Muslims living with years of war and violence from European, American and Israeli military action along with the military action by the likes of Arab, Turkish, Persian nation states along with military action by al Qaeda, ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah and the PLO, France and the French people are safe. The real question is why the lives of so many unsafe people seem to matter less than the relative safety of comparatively so few.
3
Mark's Female Half
What a wonderful piece of honest poignant writing. I have been reading NYT and other newspapers, and the comments...It is frightening what people say and suggest. Some want total annihilation of certain people. Where does it end? I feel sick to my stomach when I read such things. There are some who want WW III. And they will not rest until that happens. They are psychologically wedded to this concept and think this is some kind of prophesy. But they are the self fulfilling prophesy (of the insane and the dysfunctional). It is scary.
There are those who assume that if they just drop atom bombs like in Hiroshima and Nagasaki everything could be quickly silenced, and they could turn the people they dislike or they are tired of into good servants that could be easily controlled and managed. Japan was a country and Pearl Harbor bombing was a State sponsored military action. That is not what these bombings are. These bombings are not coming from Syria, or any country, directly with hard evidence.
It is all so sick...the attacks, the counter attacks and counter counter attacks. It just seems to go on until they destroy everyone.
We have to stop it.
What a wonderful piece of honest poignant writing. I have been reading NYT and other newspapers, and the comments...It is frightening what people say and suggest. Some want total annihilation of certain people. Where does it end? I feel sick to my stomach when I read such things. There are some who want WW III. And they will not rest until that happens. They are psychologically wedded to this concept and think this is some kind of prophesy. But they are the self fulfilling prophesy (of the insane and the dysfunctional). It is scary.
There are those who assume that if they just drop atom bombs like in Hiroshima and Nagasaki everything could be quickly silenced, and they could turn the people they dislike or they are tired of into good servants that could be easily controlled and managed. Japan was a country and Pearl Harbor bombing was a State sponsored military action. That is not what these bombings are. These bombings are not coming from Syria, or any country, directly with hard evidence.
It is all so sick...the attacks, the counter attacks and counter counter attacks. It just seems to go on until they destroy everyone.
We have to stop it.
1
Another op -ed self serving for the Muslins in Europe, from The Muslim Times, formally known as the NYT. Why is every op ed cushioning their ruffled sensibilities, why their voice heard more often than the one of the real French people?
1
Round them up and send them back, because they all believe that THEY ARE RIGHT!
One type of place that we know is not safe are schools. There's a mass shooting at grade schools and on college campuses once a month in our own country. Maybe we can declare war on that front, too?
1
As an immigrant into France, a country where I arrived at age 18, almost penniless and with only a rudimentary knowledge of the language, I really dislike this sort of writing which tries to put all the blame for North African's poor integration into French society on the shoulders of the French. Like everyone else, they benefit hugely from all the safety nets of the French system, including free education, right through to the very top engineering schools to which access is uniquely based on merit, yet how many of them make it?
I ask this question because in spite of arriving with nothing and thanks to the generosity of the French education system, I managed to make it through the French system into one of these top engineering schools, even benefitting from a student grant for the last 2 years of a 6 year curriculum. My experience suggests that this is also the case for very many people of Asian origin but, for some reason or another, North Africans are seriously under-represented in such top level schools and have also have very high drop-out rates in secondary education. I have discussed this on more than one occasion with North African friends who, when pressed gently, do acknowledge that maybe different attitudes towards education and personal responsibility also play a major role in North Africans diificulties. Instead of playing the victim card, the author of this piece should give some thought to that side of the equation.
I ask this question because in spite of arriving with nothing and thanks to the generosity of the French education system, I managed to make it through the French system into one of these top engineering schools, even benefitting from a student grant for the last 2 years of a 6 year curriculum. My experience suggests that this is also the case for very many people of Asian origin but, for some reason or another, North Africans are seriously under-represented in such top level schools and have also have very high drop-out rates in secondary education. I have discussed this on more than one occasion with North African friends who, when pressed gently, do acknowledge that maybe different attitudes towards education and personal responsibility also play a major role in North Africans diificulties. Instead of playing the victim card, the author of this piece should give some thought to that side of the equation.
15
"..reinforced security, counterattack, war. Do we not understand that this is the very response the Islamic State wished to provoke?" So I suppose the proper response, the response the IS doesn't want, is the opposite? Lessen security, do not counterattack, treat the massacre as an act of protest, an unrelated crime? I don't claim I know what to do, and I know doing something, anything without thinking is not the answer. But doing nothing at all, as you seem to propose, isn't right, either.
The larger aim of terrorism and extremism has been to polarize communities so that there is no room for dialogue, understanding, or compromise. Witness the Palestinians and the Israelis. If Isis can succeed in polarizing Europeans into further marginalizing its Muslim population they will in effect further destabilize Europe by creating an even more embittered Muslim community in its midst. The recent attacks are a direct result of this. Further demonization of Muslims will only amplify and accelerate this trend. Muslims, for their part must emphatically and vociferously denounce, reject, and refuse to shelter extremists in their communities.
2
The answer to "Where are we going to live now?" is very simple, but will only achieved by selfless people with determination. The answer is - take back what is yours, take back your home. Europe and the rest of the western countries simply provide a place to hide. Meanwhile, the regimes in Iran, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, etc continue of in their oppressive culture and abuses of basic human rights.... and we haven't started to mention their boarder-line sadistic treatment of women and anyone gay. This will never take pace as long a people continue to flee and spend their lives hiding.
3
Abdellah - the answer to your question is this: Safe is what you deem to be safe. In my mind: Paris is safe, New York is safe. 9/11 as 11/13 barely make a dent in the yearly death rates of the city - statistically. The question of safety is one of perceived lost control in the face of terrorism. But that is no different than the lack of control for any shooting or traffic accident.
My thought is that we go about our daily lives not worrying about the minute probability being targeted in a terrorist attack (in Western Europe). You can take solace that any self defeating ideology as the one ISIS proclaims will die. Our reaction to the terrorist threat is what we should fear not the terrorist. We in America know this well. We sent Jewish people arriving at our border back home in 1939 after the Kristallnacht. We interned Japanes folks after Pearl Harbour, We pursued our own people in the McCarthy area for fear of communism. History does not look kindly on us for that reaction. I hope we will not make the same mistake and target people because of Syrian or Moslem association. That we make this mistake is the fear we should have. And by all accounts judging form the American reaction to the Syrian refugee question, we repeat the historical errors.
My thought is that we go about our daily lives not worrying about the minute probability being targeted in a terrorist attack (in Western Europe). You can take solace that any self defeating ideology as the one ISIS proclaims will die. Our reaction to the terrorist threat is what we should fear not the terrorist. We in America know this well. We sent Jewish people arriving at our border back home in 1939 after the Kristallnacht. We interned Japanes folks after Pearl Harbour, We pursued our own people in the McCarthy area for fear of communism. History does not look kindly on us for that reaction. I hope we will not make the same mistake and target people because of Syrian or Moslem association. That we make this mistake is the fear we should have. And by all accounts judging form the American reaction to the Syrian refugee question, we repeat the historical errors.
26
I agree with jzu. We dread being murdered; the intentionality is terrifying. There is no need for a feeling of existential dread UNLESS a death cult obtains some kind of dirty bomb. That is very scary. But my own view is that death cults do not last forever. I do not believe we will endure a death cult operating among human beings for the rest of time. These attacks are, as many have said, theater. Sadly, human beings are not capable of looking away; they watch theater. I think the solution will be the passage of time and an effort to detect and head off every crazy plan to create a vivid scene of carnage.
There are no easy answers, of course, but I wonder if the answer might lie in the question itself. Your neighbor might have asked where she would live, or where you would live, but she asked where "we" would live, as if your fates were inseparable. Those who live far from home sometimes have the good fortune to find a second family in friends and neighbors, and I very much hope that this has been your experience in the home you have made in your beloved Paris (beloved to us, as well). Whatever tomorrow brings, you will face it together, and that is not nothing. It saddens me that you grew up in a country which would deny the truth of your existence (and if I am not mistaken, you are no longer the only openly gay Arab man of letters, yet you remain the only openly gay Moroccan novelist and filmmaker; and to be "the first" must be very challenging, yet hopefully deeply meaningful); studied French and received scholarships to venerable institutions in a story worthy of Horatio Alger; only to feel as if the city of your dreams (and very hard work) no longer existed. Your love and courage give me hope, if I may say so, for I believe it was your love and courage which lead you to keep vigil in the night. I don't think that was something you wanted to do, but something you needed to do; you could not have done otherwise, and that is one of the hallmarks of pure love, is it not? Our hearts are with you. Please take good care.
20
Why did Muslims choose to emigrate to France is they did not intend to become part of that country and its culture. Blaming their new host country seems ungrateful and likely to result in things becoming worse instead of better. France is not the problem, Muslim extremists are. What are moderate Muslims doing to demonstrate their disgust at such mindless violence against innocent people?
Zealotry — be it political or religious — is the worst aspect of humanity and always a moral failure. Safety comes from moderation, inclusion and assimilation. Raging against Western society for all the failures in the Middle East is not and can not be an answer to what is wrong in that region. If the majority of Muslims are truly moderates, they must stop fighting centuries-old battles and join in repudiating extremism. Otherwise, they are part of the problem.
Eclectic Pragmatist — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
Zealotry — be it political or religious — is the worst aspect of humanity and always a moral failure. Safety comes from moderation, inclusion and assimilation. Raging against Western society for all the failures in the Middle East is not and can not be an answer to what is wrong in that region. If the majority of Muslims are truly moderates, they must stop fighting centuries-old battles and join in repudiating extremism. Otherwise, they are part of the problem.
Eclectic Pragmatist — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
14
It is crazy to blame the France or compare it to totalitarian, religious governments in the Middle East. But apparently blaming the victim is acceptable when the victim is Western Civilization.
25
War is not the answer.
The response from France reminds me of the bellicose talk here post 9-11. Look at how unsuccessful that was - the war in Iraq has been a failure, and has at least something to do with the latest tragedy in Paris, in my opinion.
This all leads me to think of who we choose as our next president - do we want war hawk Hillary Clinton? Or do we hope for, and need, a person with a much more nuanced view of the world - Bernie Sanders? I say we desperately need Bernie.
The response from France reminds me of the bellicose talk here post 9-11. Look at how unsuccessful that was - the war in Iraq has been a failure, and has at least something to do with the latest tragedy in Paris, in my opinion.
This all leads me to think of who we choose as our next president - do we want war hawk Hillary Clinton? Or do we hope for, and need, a person with a much more nuanced view of the world - Bernie Sanders? I say we desperately need Bernie.
3
Sorry - I'm going to pass on Bernie's 90% tax rate. He's the last thing this country needs.
1
Dave - No, the 90% was on Eisenhower's watch. Bernie's will be lower. Don't worry.
Terrorist's are looking for that one place that causes the world to gasp and panic into chaos. So far they have not found that place. What they have discovered are several communities that have the resolve to endure the initial attack, deal with the shock, measure their response, and enact their plan.
I believe the terrorists are seeing the world a little differently. We are stronger than they imagined. We are more resolute. We value our freedom and we are willing to pay the price to keep it.
Stay strong and stay free.
I believe the terrorists are seeing the world a little differently. We are stronger than they imagined. We are more resolute. We value our freedom and we are willing to pay the price to keep it.
Stay strong and stay free.
6
Anyone note the irony that after what the US did to Vietnam, there were never any Vietnamese suicide bombers hitting us back? That although tortured and mistreated, many POW's returned alive, and were not beheaded on video or burned alive? That Vietnamese immigrants to the US appreciated the freedom that they had here and assimilated well?
35
We need to get past political correct double standards and openly acknowledge what is before us. Terrorism is terrorism. Even the Times falls into the PC quagmire by labeling some who commit terror (mostly against Israeli civilians) as militants rather than terrorists.
We also need to ask ourselves what it is that makes Muslims living in the west, with far more opportunity to live a good life than in the Middle East and Africa, choose to become extremists in such numbers. What can the non-Muslim community do to address their grievances?
Lastly, we need to ask the Muslim communities in the West to turn out those violent extremists who hide among them. These terrorists cannot survive in a vacuum. Somebody always knows about them.
We also need to ask ourselves what it is that makes Muslims living in the west, with far more opportunity to live a good life than in the Middle East and Africa, choose to become extremists in such numbers. What can the non-Muslim community do to address their grievances?
Lastly, we need to ask the Muslim communities in the West to turn out those violent extremists who hide among them. These terrorists cannot survive in a vacuum. Somebody always knows about them.
20
This politically "incorrect" response may bring on a tsunami of obloquy, but --- liberal Western Europe may be able to learn from the Israelis' experience. Israel has been under attack, sometimes genocidal attack, since before its founding in 1948.
Israel's responses have not been perfect, but it nevertheless has maintained a high level of freedom for all its inhabitants, including Arabs. Polls repeatedly show, for example, that Israeli Arabs would rather remain in Israel after a "two-state solution" than join an Arab Palestine.
Israel has maintained "the freedom to go out, dance, have fun, listen to music, make art, and rejoice," even while under mortal and continuous threat. There may be much for those of us of liberal bent to criticize, but we should not make the perfect (which none of us has attained ) be the enemy of the good. The liberal West would be well advised to study -- objectively -- Israel's approaches to security.
Israel's responses have not been perfect, but it nevertheless has maintained a high level of freedom for all its inhabitants, including Arabs. Polls repeatedly show, for example, that Israeli Arabs would rather remain in Israel after a "two-state solution" than join an Arab Palestine.
Israel has maintained "the freedom to go out, dance, have fun, listen to music, make art, and rejoice," even while under mortal and continuous threat. There may be much for those of us of liberal bent to criticize, but we should not make the perfect (which none of us has attained ) be the enemy of the good. The liberal West would be well advised to study -- objectively -- Israel's approaches to security.
14
"A tsunami of obloquy," I like that!
I also left Morocco many years ago feeling the government's restrictions on basic freedoms and liberties, including freedom from faith. For not following Ramadan or walking in the street with a woman who is not related to me, I could risk a prison term, stiff fines or if lucky, manage to bribe a cop to get out of a bad situation that can destroy your entire life and career. I went back to Morocco recently. Things has gotten worse. Today, the government is not alone to enforce "public morality." Gangs of young men roam in the streets harassing gays, women, "bad Muslims," secularists, tourists. And the government is cheering, and possibly encouraging, such attacks. The message is clear: "If you want democracy, this is what you will get." Truly sad for such a beautiful country and a generally tolerant people. Morocco and the entire Arab world have moved closer to the Saudi model than the other war around.
7
Thank you for publishing this humane letter from an Islamic refugee.
He fled a moderate Islamic country seeking freedom from bigotry which is arguably less in Morocco than any where else in the Islamic world. I have had several gay Moroccan friends who live a double life there as if hiding out in their own country. They seek freedom from bigotry and to live their own lives just as we do in our supposedly free westernized countries. Yes, the question is where can we all live in freedom without fear.
He fled a moderate Islamic country seeking freedom from bigotry which is arguably less in Morocco than any where else in the Islamic world. I have had several gay Moroccan friends who live a double life there as if hiding out in their own country. They seek freedom from bigotry and to live their own lives just as we do in our supposedly free westernized countries. Yes, the question is where can we all live in freedom without fear.
3
The difference is that you as an openly gay person could be hanged in any Muslim country, France needs more freedom and liberty, this guy is really something.
14
The situation we face as many facets -- complex and highly interrelated. No silver bullets. We have to face the realities people see and their assumptions.
MSA -- we need not live in fear in the US. But the U-MN student government just voted down an annual tribute to the victims of 9/11. They said it would show discrimination. If we are unable to presence and represence the most shocking act of terrorism in our history -- we lose our memory -- the event falls behind the veil of forgetting -- no longer conscious in the nation's psyche.
It is one thing not to live in 'fear' but ISIS poses an existential threat to our way of life. Our thoughts that drive actions have consequences. You say "fear" brings out "hatred, bias and racism." I say no one is without prejudice. In fact, what we have developed in America is a prejudice against prejudice. People have to acknowledge prejudice to bring about change. I worked for racial integration in the 1960s and the 70s. In the streets and in the fleet as a noncom in the Navy. Because of my experiences I helped change college policies and resolve a 'mutiny' by the blacks [excluded from certain rates] against the officers on our frigate.
You can only be without fear if you are not engaged in actions that change consequences for the better. Negotiating racial disputes are multi-causal and are personal -- it was 'fear' that helped me find reasons to draw disputants to the table, work though prejudices so better angels could emerge.
MSA -- we need not live in fear in the US. But the U-MN student government just voted down an annual tribute to the victims of 9/11. They said it would show discrimination. If we are unable to presence and represence the most shocking act of terrorism in our history -- we lose our memory -- the event falls behind the veil of forgetting -- no longer conscious in the nation's psyche.
It is one thing not to live in 'fear' but ISIS poses an existential threat to our way of life. Our thoughts that drive actions have consequences. You say "fear" brings out "hatred, bias and racism." I say no one is without prejudice. In fact, what we have developed in America is a prejudice against prejudice. People have to acknowledge prejudice to bring about change. I worked for racial integration in the 1960s and the 70s. In the streets and in the fleet as a noncom in the Navy. Because of my experiences I helped change college policies and resolve a 'mutiny' by the blacks [excluded from certain rates] against the officers on our frigate.
You can only be without fear if you are not engaged in actions that change consequences for the better. Negotiating racial disputes are multi-causal and are personal -- it was 'fear' that helped me find reasons to draw disputants to the table, work though prejudices so better angels could emerge.
5
The world will always be ruled by strength and resolve. Allowing terror to flourish by offering tepid cowardly responses and mouthing the popular canards.
"We are better than that.' That is not America, France..." "If we do this or that we are no better than."
Ladies and Gentlemen, The leaders, who are monumentally protected are eyeball deep in blood and gore from your brothers and sisters!
Good morning to those who have waited and watched while those leaders facilitated the slaughter of innocents. Are you tired of rhetoric and inaction yet or do you realize the Emperor not only wears no clothes but he is giving away yours!
"We are better than that.' That is not America, France..." "If we do this or that we are no better than."
Ladies and Gentlemen, The leaders, who are monumentally protected are eyeball deep in blood and gore from your brothers and sisters!
Good morning to those who have waited and watched while those leaders facilitated the slaughter of innocents. Are you tired of rhetoric and inaction yet or do you realize the Emperor not only wears no clothes but he is giving away yours!
3
We really need knees to stop jerking in both directions. It is racist and stupid to stop all immigration and demonize all Muslims in response to terrorism. But it is flippant and narcissistic to respond to ISIS with hackneyed references to "military adventurism" and "my rights."
No, American military intervention did not "fix" Iraq, or Afghanistan, or Libya, Syria, Somalia, Panama, Vietnam, or Korea...but it made all the difference in World War II, which is the last time Civilization was attacked by a force that wanted nothing less than its destruction. Our conflict with ISIS is not fundamentally political--there is nothing they want that can be negotiated, no diplomats with whom we can meet, no concessions we can make. ISIS wants the death of the infidel--which is the vast majority of the humans on the planet--and I wish it were otherwise, but the only viable response to that is an uninhibited military response.
No, American military intervention did not "fix" Iraq, or Afghanistan, or Libya, Syria, Somalia, Panama, Vietnam, or Korea...but it made all the difference in World War II, which is the last time Civilization was attacked by a force that wanted nothing less than its destruction. Our conflict with ISIS is not fundamentally political--there is nothing they want that can be negotiated, no diplomats with whom we can meet, no concessions we can make. ISIS wants the death of the infidel--which is the vast majority of the humans on the planet--and I wish it were otherwise, but the only viable response to that is an uninhibited military response.
9
What a powerful essay. . .thank you.
4
The self-pitying hysteria reflected by this piece is unworthy of NYT Op-Ed pages. The world hasn't ended, Paris isn't burning, and while there are deep and complex problems to be faced, and danger in every city, that's life in the modern world.
7
Where are the MODERATE muslims denouncing the vicious anti-west attacks for ONCE AND FOR ALL! Yes, there are "bad " Christians, Jews and other religious and ethnic groups. But when an atrocious attack occurs, the moderates denounce the radicals. Why not here?
21
The moderate muslims have denounced the attacks, especially in Paris. You can Google it.
Sad to say, but it is war. You better get used to it. You made the decision to run due to your personal beliefs - but no one is making you do so. try taking a stand !
1
I live in Paris as well, with the difference that I was born there and I'm of Caucasian stock and catholic culture (I'm agnostic). For several reasons, I overall disagree with this piece.
I don't think that France was more at war before the attack than after them, though that may change soon due to reactionary politics.
However, said attacks did illustrate the vulnerability of the population to terrorist attacks. But let's not kid ourselves, the vulnerability was always there, however, most people try and succeed in forgetting about it after each incident.
The fact of the matter is that someone determined to kill random civilian and willing to die in the process will succeed to a certain extent whatever you do. The question then becomes, why are these people willing to give there life to kill innocent bystanders, where does that ideology comes from and how can we fight against it. In that sense, I agree that French society share a part of responsibility in allowing those ideologies to become a popular reality, I think US responsibility in that regard is staggering as well.
What I fear right now is not another attack, what I fear is the reaction of my fellow citizen and our politicians : the rise of the far right, a stronger implication of France in the Syrian war, the blind adoption of security laws that cripple fundamental rights, etc... All those things are already happening to some extent, and all of them, to some degree directly play into ISIS' hand.
I don't think that France was more at war before the attack than after them, though that may change soon due to reactionary politics.
However, said attacks did illustrate the vulnerability of the population to terrorist attacks. But let's not kid ourselves, the vulnerability was always there, however, most people try and succeed in forgetting about it after each incident.
The fact of the matter is that someone determined to kill random civilian and willing to die in the process will succeed to a certain extent whatever you do. The question then becomes, why are these people willing to give there life to kill innocent bystanders, where does that ideology comes from and how can we fight against it. In that sense, I agree that French society share a part of responsibility in allowing those ideologies to become a popular reality, I think US responsibility in that regard is staggering as well.
What I fear right now is not another attack, what I fear is the reaction of my fellow citizen and our politicians : the rise of the far right, a stronger implication of France in the Syrian war, the blind adoption of security laws that cripple fundamental rights, etc... All those things are already happening to some extent, and all of them, to some degree directly play into ISIS' hand.
9
Europe has invited the enemy into its midst, and no place that appears to be a good target is 'safe'. There are not so many of these extremists who are willing to give up their lives as there are those who support their views. It may not always be this way. France is a large country and there are many places that will likely never be plagued by terrorism, but the numbers, even in Paris are very small. You are safe from the violence, but not the fear of terror, which is why they use it. You cannot win again terrorism, but you can survive it by living your life.
2
Undeniable reality?? The reality is that immigrants were granted access. These people were not "recruited" and asked to migrate to France. They came for no reason other than their own. Then they refuse to assimilate into the culture. They migrate to a country and demand the culture change to fit their desires. They are not successful and blame racism and the society they refuse to accept. Why don't they migrate back to their country of origin is they dislike France so much? I'm not sure what this writer thinks, but blaming a society for not providing even more social benefits is not a reason these people turn to terrorism. Assimilate or migrate. Make your decision.
25
The horrifying truth is, there is, for lack of a better word, an increasingly popular Islamic "denomination" that believes as a matter of religious faith, that non-Moslems are infidels, and infidels are existentially contaminated by unbelief. What makes this truly terrifying is the conclusion that infidels are worthless living trash, have no right to exist, and this is the crux - therefore must not exist. It is a religiously motivated desire to commit genocide on a global scale as an act of religious faith. What we should be worrying about is the possibility of being victimized by suicide bombers with nuclear weapons.
8
Of course no place is safe, as long as people are free. You can see that people say "oh I never saw it coming".
2
Dear Abdellah,
Nothing has changed, you are just now waking up to the illusion of security sold to you by The State.
Also know that the answer to France's failed security measures will be more security measures, and the only way to protect your freedoms will be to eliminate them.
Nothing has changed, you are just now waking up to the illusion of security sold to you by The State.
Also know that the answer to France's failed security measures will be more security measures, and the only way to protect your freedoms will be to eliminate them.
1
The terrorist recruiters have, in my opinion, gained enormous assistance from the anti-Muslim rhetoric that has abounded. All they have to do is say "See how these people talk about your culture and your religion." Catholics weren't condemned for the bombings by the IRA Provisionals. Neither should Islam be condemned for the crimes of those who rationalize that they are doing it for their religion.
There is no guarantee of safety, but you are a sitting duck in a Gun Free Zone. The elites never have to worry about that for them and their children, but the average person does not have that luxury.
3
If radical Jihadist ideology fueled by literal and fundamentalist interpretations of Islam but not truly representative of the religion as practiced by most Muslims then isn't the responsibility of the true Muslim community to educate the rest of us and be the first to step up and denounce the actions of the 'crazies' in their midst? Shouldn't the community be organizing marches, teach-ins, appearing in all media in large numbers to combat the misconceptions and not leave the meaning of Islam to the Jihadists? Too often we hear instead, fears that the West will become less welcoming of all Muslims. The west will clamp down on civil liberties. Or worse we hear from Muslims, often the young and educated, how tired they are of defending their religion and culture. Well, maybe it is fatiguing, but you know, it IS your responsibility. You can be proud of being a Muslim, just let us know what that means because all we see are your crazy cousins who want to destroy our way of life.
15
We could learn so much from British stoicism. If I was a terrorist, I'd think bombing London was a total waste of time after the 2005 attacks. Please let's get some perspective and stop beating the war drums. When will we ever learn that dropping bombs on people, most of them innocent, is not a long term solution.
1
Many years ago, when I was beginning my Master's thesis in Spain, I went to London with a friend to buy books for my thesis. While we were there, either the ETA or the IRA bombed an Iberia Airlines office in London. My friend's mom called, terrified, we "HAD" to take the train, no planes were safe, the sky was falling. My friend decided to return by train. I told him I would rather die young than live terrified to an old age. I took the plane. Nothing happened.
Allowing terrorists to choose our lives for us is the ultimate cowardice. And stupidity. Fear brings the worst out of many people: hatred, bias, racism. Fear brings out the cowardice in many people: "yes" they say "let's surrender our rights to get some security" not realizing that (1) security is false and (2) when your rights are gone, they are gone.
I made that decision at 20. I've made it every single day of my life.
I'm not going to live in fear. I'm not going to surrender my rights. And, you know what, if I die, I die.
Allowing terrorists to choose our lives for us is the ultimate cowardice. And stupidity. Fear brings the worst out of many people: hatred, bias, racism. Fear brings out the cowardice in many people: "yes" they say "let's surrender our rights to get some security" not realizing that (1) security is false and (2) when your rights are gone, they are gone.
I made that decision at 20. I've made it every single day of my life.
I'm not going to live in fear. I'm not going to surrender my rights. And, you know what, if I die, I die.
154
Fear also brings forward common sense to rationally deal with threats. There is no hysterical call for "surrendering rights for security". So, yes, do not live in fear of losing rights.
1
It's nice your friend did as his mom wished even though she was overreacting. If we all listened more to our mothers much pain may be averted. Love your Mother.
Shameful. Where is your courage? What is wrong with increased security and counterattack? This page reeks of fear and then has the audacity once again to smear the West with Islamophobia. Yes, there is prejudice, discrimination, racism—but that’s a historical theme that only the West has had the courage to address. The fact is that Muslims do have a home in the West and have been welcomed in the West. The West is nothing like the Middle East. You left your home to look at the spectacle, the “terrible things” that you can’t name, and to think and feel sorry for yourself. If stepping outside is your way of showing solidarity, I have to say I find that action pathetic. Could you not make room for a single sentence showing sorrow for the people who were murdered? Paris did not “fall.” You blame the West for neglecting youth as the cause for terrorism. I’m really tired of hearing that argument. Don’t just say it, make your case with facts, how does this neglect cause people to take the Quran literally and make it his or her life goal to kill unbelievers and apostates—does Islam have nothing to do with these attacks?
63
He (or she) who puts security over liberty deserves neither -Benjamin Franklin
An who are you with your misinformation to refute what we who are north African know about the climate which is and has always been the real Paris-not he one of the museums and perfumes and designer clothing, but that of the bandeaus to which those of Algerian and north African descent are banished.
As for what you have written about the Qur'an, you are in a word WRONG and very ignorant. As a matter of fact, if the founding fathers of what is now the US had NOT known the Quranic tenets and of Islam, you may well NOT have the liberties you USED to have.
There are, unfortunately, a handful of terrorist -those who mislead and misinterpret the words of the Quranic texts...just as there are the handful of Jews who corrupt the tenets of Judaism and the handful of Christians who corrupt the message of Issa/Jesus. But the majority of those who profess any of the three monotheistic religions do not corrupt nor do they terrorize.
By the way, sir, you had best review your own government's and your own population's history of atrocities... beginning with pre-revolutionary days of what is now the US and perhaps ending with your governor's appalling and illegal response to refugees from Syria and elsewhere. He should be impeached before he spreads even more malice.
And I refute your statement about how we have been 'welcomed' ... again best check your facts before babbling.
An who are you with your misinformation to refute what we who are north African know about the climate which is and has always been the real Paris-not he one of the museums and perfumes and designer clothing, but that of the bandeaus to which those of Algerian and north African descent are banished.
As for what you have written about the Qur'an, you are in a word WRONG and very ignorant. As a matter of fact, if the founding fathers of what is now the US had NOT known the Quranic tenets and of Islam, you may well NOT have the liberties you USED to have.
There are, unfortunately, a handful of terrorist -those who mislead and misinterpret the words of the Quranic texts...just as there are the handful of Jews who corrupt the tenets of Judaism and the handful of Christians who corrupt the message of Issa/Jesus. But the majority of those who profess any of the three monotheistic religions do not corrupt nor do they terrorize.
By the way, sir, you had best review your own government's and your own population's history of atrocities... beginning with pre-revolutionary days of what is now the US and perhaps ending with your governor's appalling and illegal response to refugees from Syria and elsewhere. He should be impeached before he spreads even more malice.
And I refute your statement about how we have been 'welcomed' ... again best check your facts before babbling.
There is a big difference between "becoming mired in racism, Islamophobic hysteria and a new war on terror" and requiring others to respect our values.
Islamic terrorists do not respect our values, yet they use them to move freely within our borders. to communicate clandestinely with one another, and to perpetrate heinous atrocities upon us. In other words, they are using our values to defeat us. We need to recognize this and take appropriate measures to prevent the misuse of our values to our detriment. That is the only way we can preserve our values.
Sometimes, it requires difficult choices, but, if we do not use all appropriate means to compel respect for our values and to preserve those values for future generations, we will surely lose them.
As examples, our values require us to respect life, but: in some situations, a person who commits murder in a wanton and depraved manner may be subject to execution; there are times when we must go to war, even though it means the loss of life, sometimes even innocent life. Those are the sorts of choices we face now, not because we want to do these sorts of things, but because these were the choices put before us by our enemies.
Islamic terrorists do not respect our values, yet they use them to move freely within our borders. to communicate clandestinely with one another, and to perpetrate heinous atrocities upon us. In other words, they are using our values to defeat us. We need to recognize this and take appropriate measures to prevent the misuse of our values to our detriment. That is the only way we can preserve our values.
Sometimes, it requires difficult choices, but, if we do not use all appropriate means to compel respect for our values and to preserve those values for future generations, we will surely lose them.
As examples, our values require us to respect life, but: in some situations, a person who commits murder in a wanton and depraved manner may be subject to execution; there are times when we must go to war, even though it means the loss of life, sometimes even innocent life. Those are the sorts of choices we face now, not because we want to do these sorts of things, but because these were the choices put before us by our enemies.
45
No place is safe as long as it is possible for 'small groups of asymmetric warriors (aka gangs of any ilk or ideology)' to have ready access to modern communications, transportation, and weapons without constraint.
These people are better equipped and more informed than combat units were in WWII, Korea, or Vietnam.
Our best answer would be to apply the lessons of civilization, and replace the anger and violence of right wing hate, fear, greed, jealousy, and bigotry with increased opportunity and progressive, humane ideas designed to unite rather than divide people.
This will be difficult in a 9 billion person world where computers, virtual market places, and robots are displacing humans in virtually every way. The entrenched ideologists are destined to just double down on the control and certainty of direct intervention (aka death and destruction) rather than opportunity, tolerance, and integration of diverse cultures.
These people are better equipped and more informed than combat units were in WWII, Korea, or Vietnam.
Our best answer would be to apply the lessons of civilization, and replace the anger and violence of right wing hate, fear, greed, jealousy, and bigotry with increased opportunity and progressive, humane ideas designed to unite rather than divide people.
This will be difficult in a 9 billion person world where computers, virtual market places, and robots are displacing humans in virtually every way. The entrenched ideologists are destined to just double down on the control and certainty of direct intervention (aka death and destruction) rather than opportunity, tolerance, and integration of diverse cultures.
3
So "hate, fear, greed, jealousy, and bigotry" are the domain of the right wing?
Fascinating.
Fascinating.
2
Interesting Radx that you cannot see hate, fear, jealousy, bigotry, fascism, and misguided religiosity in the events in Paris, or 9-11 in the US. The response of civilized values has been pretty successful in protecting international traffic. I can only think of half a dozen bomb scares and 3 actual airliner crashes caused by terrorism in the last 14 years- Malaysia, Ukraine, and now the Sinai.
Terrorism can only bring down civilization if we let it- via lamentable articles such as this one.
Terrorism can only bring down civilization if we let it- via lamentable articles such as this one.
1
Thank you for this essay; it sums it all up.
7
Mr. Gregory's slip is showing. He bravely proclaims that he feels safer in the streets of Paris than in the US with the "taser-trigger happy cops,"gangs and crime. If u live in an "hotel particulier" in the "seizieme arrondissement" and r white, you should feel safe. If you are a person of color living near the Boulevard Rochechouart or in the Paris "banlieues," not so much.Since instances of police brutality in US are rare, and the p.o.'s involved r duly punished, why is DG even mentioning them? His left wing tendentiousness is evident. DG calls for internal reform within the Muslim community in the US and elsewhere. Good luck with that, There have been no mass demonstrations against jihadism, despite the recent carnage of last week,the slaughter of innocents at CHARLEY HEBDO, or the kamikaze attacks of 9-ll. Answer to the problem of religious extremism will be increased, intensive surveillance of all citizens and the consequent encroachment on our civil liberties. This is the price we will pay for security. DG's article strikes me somewhat as left wing twaddle, moonshine, not worthy of serious consideration. He should show more loyalty to our brave police officers, and refrain from tarring all of them with the same brush because of a few "bad apples."
8
I might be missing something here, but it was only within the last century that millions of disenfranchised immigrants; Jews from eastern Europe, Italians, Irish, either seeking to live and breathe free or create an opportunity of personal and future generational growth, came to our urban centers. They new the scorn, disdain and poverty which Mr. Taia describes eloquently in his poignant essay. While there were radical ideologies for the daybandied about (think Emma Goldman), it never coalesced to the nefandous horror being unleashed now. Embracing a new fangled sympathy for the unique plight of the tempest tossed 21st century Mohammedian and rationalizing the direness of their situation is over-simiplisitc, ignores the history of others in similar circumstances, and is a self effacing apologia designed to over emphasize the contribution of Western societal racism rather than examine the cultural aspects intrinsic to this specific body of people- one that is at an impasse with our world.
14
Actually, some places are safe than others. And some places used to be safer than they are now.
For half a century, Western Europe has ignored the demographic ramifications of its immigration policies. Enlightened self interest and cultural preservation are the equivalent of religious fascism with murder and the imposition of its 7th century beliefs on the world.
And the left, particularly, still isn't listening. Realistic admission of mistakes doesn't make Europe "like IS". Schengen, as a British security official said this morning on an interview with the BBC in connection with the French raid in St. Denis this morning, must be ended and control of borders be regained.
Not wishing your entire country to look like the Middle East in 100 years, or like the swaths of Europe that already look like the Middle East, does not make you a terrorist. Only mass murder on the basis of religio-fascism does.
The TIMES and the left have got to take their fingers out of their ears and stop running these incessant columns urging Europe to go on doing wrong what it has been doing wrong for 50 years: ignoring culture and the deleterious impact of careless "multiculturalism" on native and host culture.
I can refer you to the Sioux, the Cheyenne, the Apache, the Huron, the Pequots, and a host of other "local cultures" who once roamed this particular continent freely.
Oh, the AfD in a "Bild" poll this week, for the first time received more than 10%-it is now 3rd in Germany.
For half a century, Western Europe has ignored the demographic ramifications of its immigration policies. Enlightened self interest and cultural preservation are the equivalent of religious fascism with murder and the imposition of its 7th century beliefs on the world.
And the left, particularly, still isn't listening. Realistic admission of mistakes doesn't make Europe "like IS". Schengen, as a British security official said this morning on an interview with the BBC in connection with the French raid in St. Denis this morning, must be ended and control of borders be regained.
Not wishing your entire country to look like the Middle East in 100 years, or like the swaths of Europe that already look like the Middle East, does not make you a terrorist. Only mass murder on the basis of religio-fascism does.
The TIMES and the left have got to take their fingers out of their ears and stop running these incessant columns urging Europe to go on doing wrong what it has been doing wrong for 50 years: ignoring culture and the deleterious impact of careless "multiculturalism" on native and host culture.
I can refer you to the Sioux, the Cheyenne, the Apache, the Huron, the Pequots, and a host of other "local cultures" who once roamed this particular continent freely.
Oh, the AfD in a "Bild" poll this week, for the first time received more than 10%-it is now 3rd in Germany.
16
The good news is that the world was never a safe place.
"Safe" has always been an illusion, Wahhabist-Salafist-fundamentalist-Islamic psychopaths notwithstanding.
“Cheer up, the worst is yet to come!”
― Mark Twain
"Safe" has always been an illusion, Wahhabist-Salafist-fundamentalist-Islamic psychopaths notwithstanding.
“Cheer up, the worst is yet to come!”
― Mark Twain
109
It is a childish fantasy to think that all of us can be assured of perfect safety from harm-doers. We can never, never, never always be protected
Do we each want a squadron of Praetorian guards entering every elevator with us? What about another squad to guard the cables?
My suggestions about how to be safer include: don't smoke cigarettes (530,000 Americans a year die from it), don't drink and drive, wear your seatbelts, get your immunizations as needed, and, among other things ignore the calls to war promulgated by hysterical pundits who feel they have to out-shrill others in the media.
Do we each want a squadron of Praetorian guards entering every elevator with us? What about another squad to guard the cables?
My suggestions about how to be safer include: don't smoke cigarettes (530,000 Americans a year die from it), don't drink and drive, wear your seatbelts, get your immunizations as needed, and, among other things ignore the calls to war promulgated by hysterical pundits who feel they have to out-shrill others in the media.
2
Do I feel any empathy for the author, a gay man who fled Morocco where gays are routinely imprisoned, but then points his finger at the "Islamophobia" of France and the West? Not at all. If he wants to reform something, I suggest he start with the root cause of the problem, the intolerance, misogyny, homophobia, and violence of his own religion, Islam.
56
How about asking religious leaders to be more active? Why shouldn't remove from the said Holy texts hundreds of passages that encourage violence? Why shouldn't say out loud that they are sorry to have contributed to the not-holy wars?
10
Yesterday, I had a chat with my fried in Paris. He is French, I am a naturalized American. He was amazed that how my children, born and raised here, are full blooded Americans. While we all cherish our cultural heritage, we are, for all purposes Americans, in values, emotions, and patriotism.
His observation and mine (I travel to Paris frequently): Most (if not all) immigrants in France have failed to raise children that are French in the true sense of the word. They may be French citizens from legal viewpoint, but for all other purposes, they are still Moroccans, Algerians, Arabs, Lebanese, etc. That, to me, is a travesty and tragedy that has the potential to cause many problems in countries like France.
The author is right in identifying this problem, but the cause is wrong. It is the parents themselves who have done this injustice to their children. The country can only be blamed tangentially, and the argument is weak. The blames squarely lies with the families and communities. One cannot share the wealth of a nation without sharing its values, I believe Nial Ferguson(?) said somewhere (or quoted somewhere). I fully agree with this. Immigrant parents must teach this to their children.
Citizens of Paris are back in the cafes and bars to celebrate their way of living. For that is the best revenge: Show indifference to terrorists and they will go somewhere else. If everyone does it, they will have nowhere to go and will simply wither away.
Viva la France.
His observation and mine (I travel to Paris frequently): Most (if not all) immigrants in France have failed to raise children that are French in the true sense of the word. They may be French citizens from legal viewpoint, but for all other purposes, they are still Moroccans, Algerians, Arabs, Lebanese, etc. That, to me, is a travesty and tragedy that has the potential to cause many problems in countries like France.
The author is right in identifying this problem, but the cause is wrong. It is the parents themselves who have done this injustice to their children. The country can only be blamed tangentially, and the argument is weak. The blames squarely lies with the families and communities. One cannot share the wealth of a nation without sharing its values, I believe Nial Ferguson(?) said somewhere (or quoted somewhere). I fully agree with this. Immigrant parents must teach this to their children.
Citizens of Paris are back in the cafes and bars to celebrate their way of living. For that is the best revenge: Show indifference to terrorists and they will go somewhere else. If everyone does it, they will have nowhere to go and will simply wither away.
Viva la France.
22
And many Muslims that come to the US don't become Americans either. They don't want to be here and should return home.
5
Those of us spared the immediacy and terror of war that consumes our everyday reality need a piece like this from time to time to remind us viscerally that there are vast numbers of human beings who are NOT so spared, and what THEIR realities are like.
But I disagree with Mr. Taïa that the neglect of mainstream French to the needs of minority youth, of Maghrebi origin as well as others, has produced an “environment conducive to radicalization, joyous nihilism and, now, carnage“. While the world is VERY occasionally treated to Parisian suburbs lighted eerily at midnight by burning cars, these are inchoate explosions of violence and usually don’t have serious implications in terms of lost human life. What we’ve seen in Paris is a conscious flailing, an intentional threat to life and limb.
And I further disagree with the comparison of the oppressive subjugation of whole peoples and the cellular unwillingness to self-examine that we see in the Arab world, even in the wealthiest ones, with the imperfect attempts by the French at inclusiveness of their minorities. Other opinions like Mr. Taïa’s will be read and considered in France. How many opinions like his will be read in Saudi Arabia or Iran, in Arabic or Persian?
Survival of Parisians’ freedom to be themselves will depend on the resilience of Parisians of all types, not on the resolve of ISIS to destabilize Western societies. If NOT Paris, where ELSE would you go to live that gives you as much freedom to be yourself?
But I disagree with Mr. Taïa that the neglect of mainstream French to the needs of minority youth, of Maghrebi origin as well as others, has produced an “environment conducive to radicalization, joyous nihilism and, now, carnage“. While the world is VERY occasionally treated to Parisian suburbs lighted eerily at midnight by burning cars, these are inchoate explosions of violence and usually don’t have serious implications in terms of lost human life. What we’ve seen in Paris is a conscious flailing, an intentional threat to life and limb.
And I further disagree with the comparison of the oppressive subjugation of whole peoples and the cellular unwillingness to self-examine that we see in the Arab world, even in the wealthiest ones, with the imperfect attempts by the French at inclusiveness of their minorities. Other opinions like Mr. Taïa’s will be read and considered in France. How many opinions like his will be read in Saudi Arabia or Iran, in Arabic or Persian?
Survival of Parisians’ freedom to be themselves will depend on the resilience of Parisians of all types, not on the resolve of ISIS to destabilize Western societies. If NOT Paris, where ELSE would you go to live that gives you as much freedom to be yourself?
9
The irony is that an international paper like the NYT, which supposedly supports free speech – has been promoting many nuances attempt on censorship: anyone who doesn’t agree with its, sometime pretty radical, leftist leanings is shamed into the definition of a rightwing bigot.
Excuse me, but I believe that is bigotry itself.
I hope the NYT and other ‘politically correct’ elements realize that even if only a very small percentage of them are fundamentalists, or terrorists, this will translate into thousands of real threats.
But my main concern for Europe, in terms of the influx of refugees is actually not terrorism – it is the kind of violence and oppression brought by a culture where that is the standard.
Two weeks ago a Syrian refugee father in Germany killed his own daughter because she had been gang raped back home – therefore she was considered ‘unclean’.
There have been at least three gang rapes in Germany this year involving refugees and a rape of a 13 year old girl in a refugee center.
Where is your coverage on these cultural values being brought in to the West?
We must have a much more honest conversation about the misogyny, homophobia and religious intolerance in Islam – before you accuse everyone who makes these relevant questions on being prejudiced monsters.
The West should take in women, families, the elderly… but 75-80% of the refugees are men, most of them of military age – this is turning into a cultural, financial and physical suicide on our part.
Excuse me, but I believe that is bigotry itself.
I hope the NYT and other ‘politically correct’ elements realize that even if only a very small percentage of them are fundamentalists, or terrorists, this will translate into thousands of real threats.
But my main concern for Europe, in terms of the influx of refugees is actually not terrorism – it is the kind of violence and oppression brought by a culture where that is the standard.
Two weeks ago a Syrian refugee father in Germany killed his own daughter because she had been gang raped back home – therefore she was considered ‘unclean’.
There have been at least three gang rapes in Germany this year involving refugees and a rape of a 13 year old girl in a refugee center.
Where is your coverage on these cultural values being brought in to the West?
We must have a much more honest conversation about the misogyny, homophobia and religious intolerance in Islam – before you accuse everyone who makes these relevant questions on being prejudiced monsters.
The West should take in women, families, the elderly… but 75-80% of the refugees are men, most of them of military age – this is turning into a cultural, financial and physical suicide on our part.
38
If I understand history correctly, Islam has always been aggressive with its own peculiar brand of intolerance. There were believers and infidels, but unlike many other examples of religions intolerance, the infidels often survived and even flourished in its midst. Until the last century, it was never this, where woman and children are ritualistically dressed with bombs to blow themselves up along with infidels and apostates.
This grotesque parody of what Islam has been is now the reality. As the rest of the world does what it can to protect itself from this madness, the use of words like "racism" becomes irrelevant and totally unrealistic.
This grotesque parody of what Islam has been is now the reality. As the rest of the world does what it can to protect itself from this madness, the use of words like "racism" becomes irrelevant and totally unrealistic.
9
I lived in the Middle East for a year in the mid-1970s.
At that time Kabul was wonderful city of fabled history and surpassing beauty. Young women and men in western clothes attended the university together. Urban Afghans were embracing modernity.
When I went to the countryside where life had been unchanged for centuries, if people knew of America, they welcomed me with joy and delight. There was obvious admiration for my country and what it stood for.
In Baghdad, the woman I was traveling with took me to visit relatives in that fascinating and sophisticated city. When the old grandfather (in traditional dress) heard where I was from, he put his hand on his heart. "Oh America, America!," the ancient Iraqi man said to me, his eyes alight with pleasure.
Aleppo was exotic, and Syria seemed like what Israel might have been a century before. Ancient history was visible everywhere in ruins and traditional lives. There were also many in modern Western clothing in the city.
So what has changed since the 1970s? What has caused those three countries to plunge into chaos and become incubators for terrorists?
What happened to derail the trend toward modernity in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria?
War happened. Millions have been killed or maimed. Children have lived their entire lives in intense trauma. Tens of millions have lost their homes.
What would Americans be like if we'd suffered a similar fate? How would we feel about the people and nations who caused our suffering?
At that time Kabul was wonderful city of fabled history and surpassing beauty. Young women and men in western clothes attended the university together. Urban Afghans were embracing modernity.
When I went to the countryside where life had been unchanged for centuries, if people knew of America, they welcomed me with joy and delight. There was obvious admiration for my country and what it stood for.
In Baghdad, the woman I was traveling with took me to visit relatives in that fascinating and sophisticated city. When the old grandfather (in traditional dress) heard where I was from, he put his hand on his heart. "Oh America, America!," the ancient Iraqi man said to me, his eyes alight with pleasure.
Aleppo was exotic, and Syria seemed like what Israel might have been a century before. Ancient history was visible everywhere in ruins and traditional lives. There were also many in modern Western clothing in the city.
So what has changed since the 1970s? What has caused those three countries to plunge into chaos and become incubators for terrorists?
What happened to derail the trend toward modernity in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria?
War happened. Millions have been killed or maimed. Children have lived their entire lives in intense trauma. Tens of millions have lost their homes.
What would Americans be like if we'd suffered a similar fate? How would we feel about the people and nations who caused our suffering?
28
War happened.
Let's clarify. Muslims started killing other Muslims, as they have been doing for more than 1000 years and the people did not fight for their countries.
Instead, just as they are doing now, they ran away.
Let's clarify. Muslims started killing other Muslims, as they have been doing for more than 1000 years and the people did not fight for their countries.
Instead, just as they are doing now, they ran away.
1
Immigrant Muslims always seem to play the victim in the West. "If you only allowed me to do this this or that, give me money, give me a job, feed me, let me do whatever I want, while I practice my misogynistic, intolerant and homophobic religion I won't do this or that." This is a total cop out and wrong headed thinking.
There seems to be little to no self-reflection from Muslims, questioning thei tenets of religious and cultural values. There is no consideration that maybe it is their mindset that is causing all their problems (misogyny, terrorism, repression, war and death). The fact of the matter is that nobody in this world is owed anything and its up to each and everyone of us to try and make a better world and expect nothing in return.
There seems to be little to no self-reflection from Muslims, questioning thei tenets of religious and cultural values. There is no consideration that maybe it is their mindset that is causing all their problems (misogyny, terrorism, repression, war and death). The fact of the matter is that nobody in this world is owed anything and its up to each and everyone of us to try and make a better world and expect nothing in return.
25
When the moderate Muslim population joins forces in eradicating the jihadi Islamic extremists, then they will be able to assimilate into free societies and gain the respect they yearn for. By staying largely silent it is pretty difficult to read where their true alliances lie. Until then every act of terrorism will continue to give rise to hatred towards all Muslims. It's time for moderates to rise to action and be heard if they want the civilized world to be able to differentiate them from the forces of evil.
101
Agree. It is very strange, and very hard not to feel angry, when we see thousands of Muslim people screaming and shouting because of a cartoon offending their prophet, but none of them protesting or burning flags about thousands of women and girls (children!) being held as sex slaves and being continuously raped by several men in the name of Islam.
How can moderate Muslims stay silent about such monstrosity?
How can moderate Muslims stay silent about such monstrosity?
7
Somewhat ironic that monsieur Taia bemoans what he calls Islamophobia, yet most devout Muslims would shun him and exclude him because of his sexual orientation (which he made a point of emphasizing), including most of those maghrebi youths, and a small but significant minority of Muslims would kill him on sight solely for being gay. A small but not insignificant minority of Muslims would also kill him - and his fellow French - for no reason other than not sharing their fundamentalist values, which they again demonstrated this past week. Yet, most non-Muslim French likely accepted him just as he is.
It seems that if no place feels safe, the writer should look inward - specifically at his religion and its values - to understand why.
It seems that if no place feels safe, the writer should look inward - specifically at his religion and its values - to understand why.
116
I'm guessing that you're not Muslim, but probably belong to some Christian denomination. The Mormon church has announced that gays are to be excommunicated, and if they have children, the children are also not welcome in the temple. There are evangelical Christian ministers in this country who believe that gays should be killed, but first we'll give them a chance to repent...once everyone in the country adopts the religion we want them to believe in. "A small but not insignificant minority of Christians would also kill him...for no reason other than not sharing their fundamentalist values". All I had to do was change one word in your sentence to reflect the reality of the hatred, intolerance and bigotry of extreme fundamentalists of any religion.
Mr. Taia's article is concise and well written,and I appreciate the fact that he is a Francophile Muslim. Islam,wherever it is present, does not look kindly on homosexuality, and those caught "en flag" can and r thrown into stoney lonesome.Whereas Mr. Taia is safe from persecution in France because of his sexual orientation, he would be vulnerable in his home country of Morocco. However, AT appears to seek an excuse for extremism among the young descendants of North African immigrants, called "beurs,"by blaming the radicalization of some of them on discrimination, lack of employment, and a future that appears hopeless, in other words on society.He also seeks a scapegoat, or an excuse for their radicalization and murderous acts by pointing to the existence of right wing parties such as National Front. None of this is credible. One does not become a suicide bomber, an ISIS gunman, because of JM LE PEN, or discrimination. Those beurs who have turned to ISIS r true believers, willing to give their lives and take the lives of others, infidels, for the sake of their ideology. They r on a mission, and as JJ Susini,former OAS spokesman informed me once, "Ceux qui incarnent une mission sont tres dangereuses."I wish Mr. Taia well,and hope that he continues to write other articles as perceptive and insightful as this one.
1
For me it all boils down to respect for others and not a homogenization of culture or thought - I firmly believe in strength through diversity - in culture, in thought, in belief, in origin. Most forms of Islam are inherently sexist but then again so is Orthodox Judaism and the Mormon Church (and with the "Latter Day Saints" we can now throw in institutionalized homophobia as well). The key is for groups that disagree with the beliefs of others to still respect the rights of people to hold those different beliefs without resorting to violence or even discrimination. Sadly we are a long way from that goal almost everywhere in the world. I have been told that because of my personal views that I am "condemned to hell". So I suppose it is a good thing I don't believe in hell.
4
This all needs to be put into perspective. Most places are safe and we can and should return to our daily lives. Despite all the turmoil in the world the odds of getting killed by a terrorist are probably as great or greater than the odds of getting struck by lightening. Do people get killed every year by lightening strikes? Of course the do. But we don't organize our lives around that possibility.
The point is not to give up our liberty for a false sense of security and to ask our government why we are being put at risk by their misadventures in the Middle East? This is a question rarely asked and even more rarely given an honest answer in the US and I suspect that France is no different.
If France is at war, it's not against a tactic, like terror attacks or suicide bombing. Wars are fought for political and economic purposes and always have been. They are still mainly fought by nation states or those seeking to control a nation. So if we are at war who is this war against? Why have we chosen to settle a conflict through war rather than other means? Whose interests are really at stake? What is the goal of this war? How long will it last? Who will be called on to fight it? And how will we pay for it?
History teaches us that if we don't get clear answers to these questions we are likely to get dragged into endless conflicts that always end badly. Maybe our real solidarity with the people of France is for us to unite and demand answers from our respective governments.
The point is not to give up our liberty for a false sense of security and to ask our government why we are being put at risk by their misadventures in the Middle East? This is a question rarely asked and even more rarely given an honest answer in the US and I suspect that France is no different.
If France is at war, it's not against a tactic, like terror attacks or suicide bombing. Wars are fought for political and economic purposes and always have been. They are still mainly fought by nation states or those seeking to control a nation. So if we are at war who is this war against? Why have we chosen to settle a conflict through war rather than other means? Whose interests are really at stake? What is the goal of this war? How long will it last? Who will be called on to fight it? And how will we pay for it?
History teaches us that if we don't get clear answers to these questions we are likely to get dragged into endless conflicts that always end badly. Maybe our real solidarity with the people of France is for us to unite and demand answers from our respective governments.
6
With freedoms come responsibilities.
Your argument mentions politicians who spread hate, but you don’t mention imams who preach hate. You mention Algerians who have been neglected by the system, but you don’t mention how they benefit from free schooling, health care, family subsidies and housing.
For a long time now, I’ve been wary of hearing about how all of France is responsible for creating terrorists because of its racist underbelly. Yet, the Muslim community itself gets a free pass.
Instead of cowering in a corner, perhaps the author should encourage his community to announce, unequivocally, that they place the values of the Republic above all else.
Your argument mentions politicians who spread hate, but you don’t mention imams who preach hate. You mention Algerians who have been neglected by the system, but you don’t mention how they benefit from free schooling, health care, family subsidies and housing.
For a long time now, I’ve been wary of hearing about how all of France is responsible for creating terrorists because of its racist underbelly. Yet, the Muslim community itself gets a free pass.
Instead of cowering in a corner, perhaps the author should encourage his community to announce, unequivocally, that they place the values of the Republic above all else.
75
"Do we not understand that this is the very response the Islamic State wished to provoke?"
I’m sorry, but I don’t see this as an overreaction. Of course, vengeance, fear and retaliation are not appropriate answers, but you cannot expect us to behave like nothing has happened. It is very possible that the Islamic State is seeking this kind of reaction, but the ISIS has declared armed war to France, and to all civilized word. ISIS is an organization which grows in strength because they have a land, where they can collect resources, train fighters and run operation bases.
Words and indignation will not prevent them from getting stronger. And even bombs will not impede them on a long run. We all must understand that this enemy will not go away, we will have to fight it. And this means that we will have to take measures far worse than bombing ISIS from the skies.
Nobody in his sane mind wants war, but sometimes war catches you whether you like it or not. You Americans refused war until Pearl Harbor made you realize that you will have to take action. What is happening today should be a wake call for all of us, it means that something must be done to fight this cancer before it’s too late.
ISIS will never stop. They will hit again. They want to destroy the civilization and take it two thousand years back. Negotiations, compromises, talks, diplomacy, all this may buy us some time, but that’s all.
I’m sorry, but I don’t see this as an overreaction. Of course, vengeance, fear and retaliation are not appropriate answers, but you cannot expect us to behave like nothing has happened. It is very possible that the Islamic State is seeking this kind of reaction, but the ISIS has declared armed war to France, and to all civilized word. ISIS is an organization which grows in strength because they have a land, where they can collect resources, train fighters and run operation bases.
Words and indignation will not prevent them from getting stronger. And even bombs will not impede them on a long run. We all must understand that this enemy will not go away, we will have to fight it. And this means that we will have to take measures far worse than bombing ISIS from the skies.
Nobody in his sane mind wants war, but sometimes war catches you whether you like it or not. You Americans refused war until Pearl Harbor made you realize that you will have to take action. What is happening today should be a wake call for all of us, it means that something must be done to fight this cancer before it’s too late.
ISIS will never stop. They will hit again. They want to destroy the civilization and take it two thousand years back. Negotiations, compromises, talks, diplomacy, all this may buy us some time, but that’s all.
7
"I left Morocco as a young and desperate gay man. In Paris, I found a place where I could fight for myself and for my dreams"
maybe young and desperate people should fight harder in their homelands to make them better, rather than leaving for another country and expecting a job, housing, health care and everything else.
maybe young and desperate people should fight harder in their homelands to make them better, rather than leaving for another country and expecting a job, housing, health care and everything else.
16
The man is a published writer, not a welfare recipient. i found this comment offensive.
5
People never learn the great lessons of our most peaceful protestors through out history. The NATURAL state of man is harmony with each other and the environment. Neolithic civilization has created war and coveting of territory and resources. Our aggression feeds their aggression. Our involvement in their political and cultural lives over the last 60 years has created this problem.
This is a group of extremely angry people living in a world with heightened senses, programmed and groomed to fight against a perceived threat from the US because that's all they know. Every time we bomb them, every time we bring the war to their doorstep, to their homes, to their schools, their anger grows.
As a more powerful, freer country, we obviously have the military might to beat back any threat from them. And yet...they are winning. We can continue to bomb them into submission, kill all of their leaders. More leaders just appear, invigorated by the deaths of the people that have come before them. The enemy is anger and the people carrying that anger are a people with nothing to lose.
We reinforce their message through our own actions. We do it time after time after time. We dehumanize their vast society of mostly ordinary people and assign qualities to all of them because of a few when in fact the they want what all of us want...peace.
Jesus Christ knew this when he protested the Romans, peacefully. Martin Luther King knew this. Ghandi knew this. When will we learn?
This is a group of extremely angry people living in a world with heightened senses, programmed and groomed to fight against a perceived threat from the US because that's all they know. Every time we bomb them, every time we bring the war to their doorstep, to their homes, to their schools, their anger grows.
As a more powerful, freer country, we obviously have the military might to beat back any threat from them. And yet...they are winning. We can continue to bomb them into submission, kill all of their leaders. More leaders just appear, invigorated by the deaths of the people that have come before them. The enemy is anger and the people carrying that anger are a people with nothing to lose.
We reinforce their message through our own actions. We do it time after time after time. We dehumanize their vast society of mostly ordinary people and assign qualities to all of them because of a few when in fact the they want what all of us want...peace.
Jesus Christ knew this when he protested the Romans, peacefully. Martin Luther King knew this. Ghandi knew this. When will we learn?
1
Intelligence gathering is nearly impossible with the new restrictions recently put in place by those who value their right not to be monitored for threats over public safety.
The French were completely blindsided by these restrictions, as are US agencies.
Until this changes, more terror attacks will occur and more people will die.
The French were completely blindsided by these restrictions, as are US agencies.
Until this changes, more terror attacks will occur and more people will die.
3
I would feel more safe in Paris than any city of size in America. Our problem with gangs, crime and trigger- and taser- happy cops presents a more consistent real danger than the terrorism seen in France.
I do not discount the reality of what happened in Paris or of the issues that have enabled it to happen, but do no give up your freedom so quickly. Terrorism is designed to sucker people into irrational fear that will have a political outcome desired by those who performed the act.
France has a serious problem with a largely unassimilated population of migrants from it's former colonies and is not alone with that problem. Migrants of any kind should not be allowed to ghettoize themselves into a subculture that makes it far less likely that they will join and become part of the greater culture of their new home.
It may not be popular with the PC police, but Islam needs it's version of the reformation and needs it quickly. That is something that cannot be done from outside- it will have to happen within the population of adherents.
Diverse, multicultural democracies and strict orthodox faiths that are intolerant of differences between people will never be able to function in a good way. Either those who hold these extreme religious views have to change or they must be willing to be tolerant of those dissimilar to their views.
The price of an open democratic society is tolerance by all parties- not just some.
I do not discount the reality of what happened in Paris or of the issues that have enabled it to happen, but do no give up your freedom so quickly. Terrorism is designed to sucker people into irrational fear that will have a political outcome desired by those who performed the act.
France has a serious problem with a largely unassimilated population of migrants from it's former colonies and is not alone with that problem. Migrants of any kind should not be allowed to ghettoize themselves into a subculture that makes it far less likely that they will join and become part of the greater culture of their new home.
It may not be popular with the PC police, but Islam needs it's version of the reformation and needs it quickly. That is something that cannot be done from outside- it will have to happen within the population of adherents.
Diverse, multicultural democracies and strict orthodox faiths that are intolerant of differences between people will never be able to function in a good way. Either those who hold these extreme religious views have to change or they must be willing to be tolerant of those dissimilar to their views.
The price of an open democratic society is tolerance by all parties- not just some.
49
Thank you! Too many of the comments on this forum are not only ignorant, but outright racist. Your thoughtful reason, based on real-world facts, is most appreciated.
Governments govern with the consent of the governed. Dilute or erode that consent, and the security provided by the state becomes less effective. Security is a desirable condition that the tribe, the nest, the hearth, can provide--for a time. Security is an illusion created for some during the comfortable, safe, years of childhood. The illusion is threatened when social justice is withheld. Ghettoes, no-go neighborhood, no-go "countries" are a result.
2
I think that the NYT and many others forget that in addition to the right and the left there are also some of us moderates. We do not consider normal caution about masses of people coming in to be the same as setting up a right wing dictatorship. And frankly, I do not consider the Republicans (even though I am not one myself) to be ogres. Just as I can be tolerant of Muslims I can also be tolerant of Ben Carson or Kim Davis.
We are all people with different views but a common humanity. Maybe ISIS lacks it, but is absurd to claim that Ben Carson lacks it. Or that Abdellah lacks it. I am touched by his sister's concern sitting a thousand miles away and thought, "Doesn't he have any French friends who could bring him groceries? Why does he have to show solidarity?"
Your sister cares about your life and well being. For God's sake treat her feelings with respect and obey her. Don't go out until things return to calm as they will.
I remember some years ago I was living in Larchmont and planning to go to New Jersey when my mother, sitting in Mumbai 10,000 miles away, called. "Don't go through Mount Vernon", she said. "There are riots there." I obeyed her and took a different route.
We are all people with different views but a common humanity. Maybe ISIS lacks it, but is absurd to claim that Ben Carson lacks it. Or that Abdellah lacks it. I am touched by his sister's concern sitting a thousand miles away and thought, "Doesn't he have any French friends who could bring him groceries? Why does he have to show solidarity?"
Your sister cares about your life and well being. For God's sake treat her feelings with respect and obey her. Don't go out until things return to calm as they will.
I remember some years ago I was living in Larchmont and planning to go to New Jersey when my mother, sitting in Mumbai 10,000 miles away, called. "Don't go through Mount Vernon", she said. "There are riots there." I obeyed her and took a different route.
1
There is no "finish line" for freedom and equality. It has no place and no border. You go out, live and stand up to those who undercut it in big and little ways.
4
Dear fellow Parisian: don't despair. The world does feel less safe now, especially for us living in the cultural heart of France. I would not give up on your fellow non-Muslim French yet. Extreme voices are the loudest, but they are not the most popular, and articles like yours can help to show those who were leaning towards racism that in fact western and Middle Eastern cultures can live together peacefully. I am not Muslim, and I hope with everything in me that the likes of the FN will never come to power, and that we will continue to treat refugees with respect, and give them a safe place that they have risked so much to find. The best response to inhumane hatred is humane respect. None of us feel safe right now (I am nervous about taking the metro in a few hours...), but I still believe that France can do the right thing, even if not every French person can, and stand for unity, respect and inclusion. Maybe it's because I'm an American just living in France and contain in me an optimism that I never particularly ascribed to myself in my home country, but I do not yet despair. Here's hoping. Your well-being and mine both depend on it.
43
You tell the writer not to "give up on your fellow non-Muslim French yet." But he should give up on French Muslims? I have a hard time buying your case for "humane respect."
No place is safe until the US and it's war partners stop marching around the globe indiscriminately killing innocent people in the name of oil and profit. The state of the world today is exactly as planned by the greed bringing us all down.
14
Nothing is going to happen to Paris. It will bounce back like Mumbai did. After all Mumbai has had to encounter numerous such terrorist attacks right from 12th March 1993. There were any number of such deadly attacks during my stay there during March 1993 and January 2007. I didn't waver and so did my fellow Mumbai residents. Yes, Parisians simply don't surrender to the terrorists. Definitely Paris is not dead yet but live and kicking,
1
"American exceptionalism" - well there's your problem right there: breathtaking arrogance.
As it happens some years back NYT published a long article in the Magazine about resilience & surviving trauma. Turns out resilience has a genetic component. Maybe they should reprint it.
As it happens some years back NYT published a long article in the Magazine about resilience & surviving trauma. Turns out resilience has a genetic component. Maybe they should reprint it.
3
I am an American & have cringed every time I hear hogwash like this
"American exceptionalism" = "breathtaking arrogance". This is how the rest of the world sees us.
The morons who created and perpetuate such Garbage have hung an Anvil around all our necks.
"American exceptionalism" = "breathtaking arrogance". This is how the rest of the world sees us.
The morons who created and perpetuate such Garbage have hung an Anvil around all our necks.
4
It will be a long time I think, before France creates , encourages and condones, half dozen of its young men, and women these days, to go into say Beirut or Riyadh or Damascus and machine gun a theater full of concert goers. The heat death of the sun will occur first.
And so this fear is non-existent
France is likely to establish a fear of ALL Muslims even if only a few are shooters b/c we don't know which, and we have not heard Islam advocate among itself, to oust these people and condemn them
Silence is consent
Where is the fatwa against these actions, nowhere
And this fear, we have been taught, in blood, however bad we have been as pupils.
And so this fear is non-existent
France is likely to establish a fear of ALL Muslims even if only a few are shooters b/c we don't know which, and we have not heard Islam advocate among itself, to oust these people and condemn them
Silence is consent
Where is the fatwa against these actions, nowhere
And this fear, we have been taught, in blood, however bad we have been as pupils.
8
Thank you NYT for publishing this heartfelt essay.
While the whole world mourns and is shocked by last Friday's terrorist attack, for those of us who live far away from the Mideast, its daily struggles, and the events that are moving large populations of people, we cannot fathom the intensity of the fear that is the real weapon. It is what drives how nations react in their power to the acts of terror. It is what sends people from their homes in attempts, often vain, to protect their families. It is what recruits the misguided youths into irrational acts of terror. It is a tool used by politicians to influence votes and corporations to benefit from wartime. And it is the very tool used to recruit and manipulate radical fringes to do violent acts. Fear.
Let us hope that the leaders of the free world, and the populations they represent, are able to act with measured plans that minimize the dangers radicals represent without knee-jerk reactions that will play into the very goals of the terrorists.....to disrupt Western life.
While the whole world mourns and is shocked by last Friday's terrorist attack, for those of us who live far away from the Mideast, its daily struggles, and the events that are moving large populations of people, we cannot fathom the intensity of the fear that is the real weapon. It is what drives how nations react in their power to the acts of terror. It is what sends people from their homes in attempts, often vain, to protect their families. It is what recruits the misguided youths into irrational acts of terror. It is a tool used by politicians to influence votes and corporations to benefit from wartime. And it is the very tool used to recruit and manipulate radical fringes to do violent acts. Fear.
Let us hope that the leaders of the free world, and the populations they represent, are able to act with measured plans that minimize the dangers radicals represent without knee-jerk reactions that will play into the very goals of the terrorists.....to disrupt Western life.
2
True, Muslims are looked at with suspicion; there's bias against those whose lineage goes back to Algeria, Morocco and other ME countries. But these people do NOT wish to integrate into the larger society. Their first allegiance is to Islam. Other immigrants to other countries (including France) manage to integrate into the larger culture as best they can. It's an old story--the second generation frowns upon its parents who don't speak the dominant language and have not integrated into the larger society. This happens with all subcultures. Jihadist/Radical Islam is a worldwide movement, so please, don't be an apologist for the terrorist atrocities promulgated by ISIS/ Islamic fundamentalists . Many who ask that we "understand" these people are in essence, apologists for their barbaric behavior. Do not forget that these people, as opposed to other immigrant subcultures and groups, want, above all, to establish a caliphate...they have an agenda. Poverty and discrimination are part of the picture, but not the most important part--recall that the bombers in London were upper-middle class young people--not poverty-stricken youth. They CHOSE to be outside the mainstream. Apologists find reasons to excuse/rationalize killings in Madrid, Beirut, Argentina, Paris, London, New York, etc. All subcultures in have experienced poverty, discrimination, unemployment and outright hostility. None had this kind of agenda or history of mass murder. Peddle your excuses elsewhere.
29
The answer to your closing question is easy. Stay in Paris and continue the fight. 9/11 was devastating here in the U.S., and immediately following the attack it felt as though we would never feel safe. While it is true that our world will never be the same as it was, life goes on including the normal joys and sorrows that accompany our journeys.
Stay strong and stay free.
Stay strong and stay free.
51
We also felt that 9/11 would usher in a new era of brotherhood and sense of community, Within a very short time we were back to business as usual, people gouging the vulnerable for financial gain, demonizing groups while failing to recognize individuals, political maneuvering to consolidate power in the hands of few, and anything to gain five minutes of fame. We are who we are in the face of violence or peace.
1
Excellent piece. More.
1
Mr. Taïa, do not do what desperate, misguided people want. Do not live in fear, do not lose hope. For your own life, and as an example to others, forget for a moment that we, the western world are suffering the consequence of having violently injured and used the peoples of the Middle Eastern. Forget the rhetoric pouring from all sides--offering both simple, knee-jerk reactions and humanitarian, well-thought-out, long range plans for Mankin's peaceful co-existence.
Remember that this drama is a bubble on the boiling surface of history. If you can, help those suffering around you, but go on with your life as you have envisioned it: guard and nurture your plans for work, education, family, sport and creativity.
Consider this . . . the attacks on the French way of life have for the first time in the modern era clarified for the entire world that France is the successful cradle of what we find best in Western civilization: joy, affection, creativity, peace, admirable passion and uplifting culture driven by humanistic philosophy--reasons for healthy pride, encouragement and celebration. France is perhaps the one nation in the world without which humanity would indeed lose its identity. By the universally acclaimed standards of decency, freedom and creativity, it is in its own endearing and imperfect way, the First World as we would like it.
Mr. Taïa, where you cannot intervene in history, keep going as before on a good path.
Remember that this drama is a bubble on the boiling surface of history. If you can, help those suffering around you, but go on with your life as you have envisioned it: guard and nurture your plans for work, education, family, sport and creativity.
Consider this . . . the attacks on the French way of life have for the first time in the modern era clarified for the entire world that France is the successful cradle of what we find best in Western civilization: joy, affection, creativity, peace, admirable passion and uplifting culture driven by humanistic philosophy--reasons for healthy pride, encouragement and celebration. France is perhaps the one nation in the world without which humanity would indeed lose its identity. By the universally acclaimed standards of decency, freedom and creativity, it is in its own endearing and imperfect way, the First World as we would like it.
Mr. Taïa, where you cannot intervene in history, keep going as before on a good path.
49
I am very ashamed of you....NYT for this fear mongering article...so
unnecessary...
Of course we are safe....
so
How about supporting your government and military instead of getting readership
by this atrocious tabloid article.. Shame on You ...editors..
unnecessary...
Of course we are safe....
so
How about supporting your government and military instead of getting readership
by this atrocious tabloid article.. Shame on You ...editors..
5
isn't a shame show the reality of how it feels after an attack like that one, . Of course that they will feel unsafe, wasn't just an attack to a country, was an attack to their routines, a way of life, people have feelings independent of the country. If we were really safe, the attacks would not have happened.
The world is less safe in the wake of ISL's global initiative, but it is still relatively safe from terrorism. The odds of dying from terrorism still are x/7billion where x is the number of terrorism related deaths in the world in my lifetime. That is still a small number. Much more likely to die in a traffic accident, from obesity related illness, or from a sedentary lifestyle.
4
"The neglect of a segment of our youth (especially those of Maghrebi origin, from countries like Morocco or Algeria) is an undeniable reality." That is false. It was not neglect. It was the fault of the Muslim immigrants who clung to beliefs not compatible with France.
The mistake Europe, and France in particular, made years ago was accepting millions of immigrants from the Middle East. Paris would not have been attacked otherwise. Just connect the dots.
If the Middle East wants to follow a brutal belief system, that is not the problem of the Western World. It is the Middle East's problem. But by accepting millions of Islamic immigrants over the years (there are now over 44 million Muslims in Europe), Europe is becoming a big mess, just like the Middle East. Connect the dots.
Those who migrated out of the Middle East should have stayed put and fought the tyrants who suppressed their freedoms.
Finally, we should not allow political correctness to prevent us from criticizing the "religion" of Islam. It contains an excessive amount of horrible beliefs. No doubt other religions also include wicked beliefs, but I don't see those beliefs being used today to kill non-believers. (The Inquisition happened a long time ago.)
The mistake Europe, and France in particular, made years ago was accepting millions of immigrants from the Middle East. Paris would not have been attacked otherwise. Just connect the dots.
If the Middle East wants to follow a brutal belief system, that is not the problem of the Western World. It is the Middle East's problem. But by accepting millions of Islamic immigrants over the years (there are now over 44 million Muslims in Europe), Europe is becoming a big mess, just like the Middle East. Connect the dots.
Those who migrated out of the Middle East should have stayed put and fought the tyrants who suppressed their freedoms.
Finally, we should not allow political correctness to prevent us from criticizing the "religion" of Islam. It contains an excessive amount of horrible beliefs. No doubt other religions also include wicked beliefs, but I don't see those beliefs being used today to kill non-believers. (The Inquisition happened a long time ago.)
108
France didn't "welcome" the immigrants, it went looking for them in order to do the work that their own citizens could not, or would not, do. Should they have all been sent back once it was decided they were no longer of use?
2
You don't see other religions' "horrible beliefs" being used today to kill non-believers? The Israeli forces of the self-proclaimed "Jewish State" kill Palestinian non-Jewish children all the time, destroy their homes and steal their families' land, because they are non-Jews.
4
Unfortunately much of this f alls under the rubric of "chickens coming home to roost". Look at the history of N Africa and the Middle East throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Brutal wars fought over land and oil by the European colonial powers particularly England and France with smaller contributions to the resultant by Belgium and Germany. Moreover a long history of totalitarian rule by local actors Iran and Turkey further complicates the situation. This in no way excuses the actions of ISIS but goes a long way in explaining them. We should keep this in mind as we ponder how to respond to the present crises. The response of the US to the events of 9/11 only made the situation worse. A war on Islam will be less successful than a war on "terror" and likely more devastating with the not insignificant chance of nuclear destruction. Calling this a war unfortunately starts us down the same failed path.
3
Is living with paranoia the way to go? Not for me and I'm sure not for the majority of the world's citizens.
So. do we stay at home and have everything delivered? Even a delivery could be used just by picking names and addresses at random. There are so many places we go, all with possibilities. You'll go crazy thinking about them all.
That's what they want you to do.
So. do we stay at home and have everything delivered? Even a delivery could be used just by picking names and addresses at random. There are so many places we go, all with possibilities. You'll go crazy thinking about them all.
That's what they want you to do.
21
The highest priority of any organism is to survive. France will do what it needs to do to survive. We can hope that the new France that exists will be a free society, but one of the mechanisms for survival is to isolate and reject what it deems to be foreign elements. Certainly no citizen that believes in rule by a caliphate belongs in France, whether he straps on explosives or not.
7
UTOPIA is the answer to the question. Strangely, the literal meaning is "nowhere." So the word presents the perfect paradox of meaning in the world where the false twin illusions of safety and peace have been shattered--replaced by pervasive existential angst.
France was built upon the proclamation of her founding revolutionaries--Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite! Those principles, while tested, are still in force. They will drive the response to the terrorism; the battle against it will be unending and unrelenting.
Soon, very soon, Paris will revert to her irascible self, with people jostling, pushing, fussing and fuming at the irritation of getting around in a very crowded city.
But lurking in the back of everyone's consciousness will be the fear, the waiting for the other shoe to drop.
That's the price of modern metropolitan life.
France was built upon the proclamation of her founding revolutionaries--Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite! Those principles, while tested, are still in force. They will drive the response to the terrorism; the battle against it will be unending and unrelenting.
Soon, very soon, Paris will revert to her irascible self, with people jostling, pushing, fussing and fuming at the irritation of getting around in a very crowded city.
But lurking in the back of everyone's consciousness will be the fear, the waiting for the other shoe to drop.
That's the price of modern metropolitan life.
2
The author of this opinion piece has failed to identify the single largest piece of the puzzle - as it relates to his blame-the-victim fear that there may be some "racist attitudes".
That factor, for most non-Muslims, is the screaming, deafening silence of moderate Muslims in NOT organizing massive protests against ISIS, in NOT taking to the airwaves to be interviewed (in order to decry the ISIS tactics) and in NOT writing about the reprehensible behavior of the ISIS terrorists (as this author has failed to do).
The NY Times is itself part of the problem - by giving a platform to this type of unthinking what-has-the-West-done-wrong opinion piece.
The irony of this opinion piece is that it has been written by a gay Arab man - who would last all of about 12 seconds if he was in ISIS territory. His inability to wake up and see the problem is striking.
That factor, for most non-Muslims, is the screaming, deafening silence of moderate Muslims in NOT organizing massive protests against ISIS, in NOT taking to the airwaves to be interviewed (in order to decry the ISIS tactics) and in NOT writing about the reprehensible behavior of the ISIS terrorists (as this author has failed to do).
The NY Times is itself part of the problem - by giving a platform to this type of unthinking what-has-the-West-done-wrong opinion piece.
The irony of this opinion piece is that it has been written by a gay Arab man - who would last all of about 12 seconds if he was in ISIS territory. His inability to wake up and see the problem is striking.
155
I think he sees the problem but fears losing what makes France great while winning the day against ISIS.
Muslims have been doing these kinds of things to each other for hundreds of years. How is that a problem wrought by the West? You want to live here? Get into line with the rest of us and realize that tolerance and accommodation runs both ways, not just the Muslim way. Grow some loyalty for the nation that shelters you.
6
Which came first, the neglect of Muslim youths or their rejection of the culture in which they live? Since the author used the phrase "undeniable reality" in referring to neglected youths, I'll use that phrase too. If Muslim immigrants don't assimilate into the culture of their adopted country, then it's an undeniable reality that that's a recipe for trouble.
77
The author: "I made my life in Paris because I believe in its values: rationalist, humanist, universalist. But Paris is a city that has, in losing its borders, lost certain values as well. The neglect of a segment of our youth (especially those of Maghrebi origin, from countries like Morocco or Algeria) is an undeniable reality. The experience of citizens of the Arab world in France holds a lesson for France. Their leaders have long resisted embarking on any true modernization or self-examination. They are more oppressive than ever, doing whatever it takes to keep their people (of Arab descent) from declaring freedom. As I walked through Paris, maimed as Beirut was by another bomb just the night before, I realized that the citizens of France would have to come to intimate terms with what people in Kabul, Baghdad, Sanaa and elsewhere have experienced for years. The very heart of what they hold most dear has been wounded: freedom. The freedom to go out, dance, have fun, listen to music, make art, rejoice — and for a moment, be innocent."
A Westerner might respond: The West has been trying for years to live up to Democratic ideals--and in France to the point of allowing immigrants of great quantity to enter and participate in the Democratic experiment. But the entire Islamic world has never demonstrated such values and not only does it not reform itself, the Muslims of even democratic countries such as France prefer to criticize the West than themselves.
A Westerner might respond: The West has been trying for years to live up to Democratic ideals--and in France to the point of allowing immigrants of great quantity to enter and participate in the Democratic experiment. But the entire Islamic world has never demonstrated such values and not only does it not reform itself, the Muslims of even democratic countries such as France prefer to criticize the West than themselves.
69
The world is at war and has been for years. The West has just been pussyfooting with enemy. This leads to what we have today: I terrorise you, you bomb me. This solves nothing.
Total war by the Western nations will stop it. Simultaneously, banning Muslim immigration and refugees into Western countries until the Islamists are defeated. Resettlement of the non-jihadi Muslims thereafter.
The West should what Japan does: Very few Muslim citizens in Japan. No Muslim proselytism. Notice they have no Muslim terrorism, unlike Europe that invites their killers into their countries.
Unless we treat this like war...like we did 75 years ago...the terror will continue unabated. Unfortunately, it will take another 9/11 to wake us up.
Total war by the Western nations will stop it. Simultaneously, banning Muslim immigration and refugees into Western countries until the Islamists are defeated. Resettlement of the non-jihadi Muslims thereafter.
The West should what Japan does: Very few Muslim citizens in Japan. No Muslim proselytism. Notice they have no Muslim terrorism, unlike Europe that invites their killers into their countries.
Unless we treat this like war...like we did 75 years ago...the terror will continue unabated. Unfortunately, it will take another 9/11 to wake us up.
"The neglect of a segment of our youth (especially those of Maghrebin origin, from countries like Morocco or Algeria) is an undeniable reality. This neglect has produced an environment conducive to radicalization, joyous nihilism and, now, carnage."
And here we go again with the victimisation line.
For at least 35 years, billions of Francs and then Euros have been spent (wasted?) on the banlieues to make them more attractive to live in. Every child (migrant or not) is given free education, free healthcare, social benefits for innumerable Muslim families, sport facilities are built (at my euro taxes expanses), libraries are set on fire by Arab teenagers who in the deepest of their soul resent and hate the country where they were born and which gave them every opportunity to assimilate.
Simply, there's a non negligible minority which certainly does-not-want to integrate nor assimilate, a minority which lives in a paranoid world of oppression by the evil French who segregate them, deny them theirs rights [which rights are they deprived of? They can vote and participate to the local political life (many do also)] but there exists a segment of "our" youth which is also composed of complete morons and imbeciles who terrorize their white neighbours which they utterly despise and express their abject racist prejudice against.
Like it was the ugly French bourgeoisie which is at the roots of their mental problems and not their crazy religious obscurantism.
And here we go again with the victimisation line.
For at least 35 years, billions of Francs and then Euros have been spent (wasted?) on the banlieues to make them more attractive to live in. Every child (migrant or not) is given free education, free healthcare, social benefits for innumerable Muslim families, sport facilities are built (at my euro taxes expanses), libraries are set on fire by Arab teenagers who in the deepest of their soul resent and hate the country where they were born and which gave them every opportunity to assimilate.
Simply, there's a non negligible minority which certainly does-not-want to integrate nor assimilate, a minority which lives in a paranoid world of oppression by the evil French who segregate them, deny them theirs rights [which rights are they deprived of? They can vote and participate to the local political life (many do also)] but there exists a segment of "our" youth which is also composed of complete morons and imbeciles who terrorize their white neighbours which they utterly despise and express their abject racist prejudice against.
Like it was the ugly French bourgeoisie which is at the roots of their mental problems and not their crazy religious obscurantism.
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The answer would be jobs for a start, the opportunity to earn a living? Study after study has shown that the only minority less likely to get called in for an interview are the disabled.
3
To live in fear cowering in the shadows of one's own dwelling is to hand a victory to these demons of murder and violence. Those who have perverted a religion into a cowardly series of death-dealing attacks on others are acting out of fear themselves: they fear that their women will become empowered to consider themselves men's equals, as they already are in the legal systems of the West. This notion is so blasphemous to Wahhabi and Salafin Islam that the terror attacks will continue. Everyone who buys petroleum distillates is enabling these ISIS and other movements to continue their war on civilization, because the Saudi royal family, Wahhabists, are providing a huge source of ISIS funds. And our own wonderful Bush presidents have contributed greatly to this situation as well in their administrations' foreign policies of irrational, unnecessary wars on the ground in Iraq, and especially in their far-too-cosy relationship with the Saudi royal family.
11
You lost me at "The neglect of a segment of our youth (especially those of Maghrebi origin, from countries like Morocco or Algeria) is an undeniable reality. This neglect has produced an environment conducive to radicalization, joyous nihilism and, now, carnage. " The mastermind of the attacks was/is from a middle-class family in Brussels, and he was even given the opportunity to attend an elite Catholic school.
A more likely explanation is that these are malcontent youths, who would otherwise have been petty criminals. Islamic radicalization is the factor that provides the secret sauce that transforms their modest energies into something more vile - anarchist, destructive, violent and hateful.
Why is it that "French racism" affects only this one segment of their population?
A more likely explanation is that these are malcontent youths, who would otherwise have been petty criminals. Islamic radicalization is the factor that provides the secret sauce that transforms their modest energies into something more vile - anarchist, destructive, violent and hateful.
Why is it that "French racism" affects only this one segment of their population?
90
Same reason that racism in the U.S. affects mostly African Americans?Let me know when that problem has been solved
1
Civilization takes years of care , the wine being shared in your cafes. is evidence and fruit of the continued protection and work required. I feel your pain aand experience seeming ruin but going on is great too.Bon courage.
1
The dogs of war need to be put back in their kennel. More violence will not solve the problem. Call me naive but how well has 15 years of war done? Is afghanistan fixed? Iraq? Libya? Yemen? Syria? Arab spring has gone to winter of discontent. Only religious, social, political and economic solutions of mass scale will work. The solutions will not come from US, EU or Russia. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Turkey and Israel have to show leadership.
74
none of those countries seem interested. we still have to protect ourselves and our secular societies now.
1
President Putin of Russia properly invoked Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, recognizing an "inherent right to individual, or collective self-defense," on confirmation that the MetroJet charter flight was besought down by an IS/Daesh planted bomb. Now France has done the same and has offered to coordinate their military actions with Russia. France should also invoke Article 5of the NATO Treaty, providing that an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all.
"To initiate a war of aggression, therefore, is not only an international crime, it is the supreme international crime differing from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evils of the whole."
--Robert H. Jackson, Chief U.S. Prosecutor, Nuremberg Military Tribunal
"To initiate a war of aggression, therefore, is not only an international crime, it is the supreme international crime differing from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evils of the whole."
--Robert H. Jackson, Chief U.S. Prosecutor, Nuremberg Military Tribunal
1
No, you have it completely, totally wrong.
To be even remotely correct it has to read "Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Turkey have to show leadership." Putting Israel in that is a very serious part of the problem.
The problem is, correctly and needing no weasel words, organized Islam.
"Organized Islam is evil". Our only hope is to force Islam to change "is" to "was".
Terrorist Islam is merely a subset of organized Islam.
To be even remotely correct it has to read "Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Turkey have to show leadership." Putting Israel in that is a very serious part of the problem.
The problem is, correctly and needing no weasel words, organized Islam.
"Organized Islam is evil". Our only hope is to force Islam to change "is" to "was".
Terrorist Islam is merely a subset of organized Islam.
1
It is not hatred we need to be wary of, it is its progenitor: fear. We need to fight fear in order to find the courage to continue with our lives, to accept our lack of control, the courage to accept the paradoxes of freedom.
We are only as free as our cognizance of the brutal ironies that freedom encompasses.
We are only as free as our cognizance of the brutal ironies that freedom encompasses.
44
Cognizance of irony does not provide freedom from fear. One of the paradoxes of freedom is that it needs to be fought for, continually and in many ways.
That's an easy bromide to espouse (don't succumb to fear) when one has not been personally attacked or shot or blown up by a terrorist bomb. We all say and do that- those of us who do not carry the physical scars of an attack- but the world is different for those others who are not merely seeing things in the abstract. Unfortunately there is no answer for any of this.
If Muslims wish to assimilate into the Western countries to which they migrate, then that move toward assimilation must be led from the mosques. It will take more than cowering in silence in clusters that work at remaining alien and separate. It will mean taking strong, positive steps toward encouraging patriotism toward the new country and a move away from "old country" ways. It will require vigorous stamping out of ISIS-type thought. It will mean re-defining your religion, cleansing it of ethnic and tribal taboos and hatreds, that currently work against reasoned judgement and trusting acceptance.
76
And who will cleanse the French of " ethnic and tribal taboos and hatreds, that currently work against reasoned judgement and trusting acceptance"?
And where are the Christians speaking out against the bombing of health clinics that also perform abortions and the killing of those doctors that do?
4
Is there a genuine clash of civilizations between the West and the Islamic world--a genuine and apparently so far irreconcilable difference between majorities in both worlds--or is there a genuine difference between Islamic moderates and Islamic radicals and that the West is at war with only the radicals and not with Islam itself and the moderates in the Islamic world are on the West's side in the battle against radicals?
This seems to me the critical question. And so far I would have to say the problem seems to be that the moderates in the Islamic world--the moderates insofar as I have read articles by them in the newspaper--seem sadly not really on the West's side. Over and over I read about supposed moderates condemning terrorist attacks, but then their wording on paper inevitably turns to the West oppressing them or that the West should "act in this way and not that" or the like...
I strongly recommend a panel of experts be formed--a wide and as unbiased a panel as possible--to examine written statements by Islamic moderates and to offer an honest opinion as to whether moderates in the Islamic world can really be expected to fix the problems in the Islamic world or will they on one hand distance themselves from radicals, but in speech and writing demonstrate that they really feel themselves to be "other" than the West and that they feel it is the West that primarily needs changing. Much hinges for the West on clear analysis and understanding of the "Islamic moderate".
This seems to me the critical question. And so far I would have to say the problem seems to be that the moderates in the Islamic world--the moderates insofar as I have read articles by them in the newspaper--seem sadly not really on the West's side. Over and over I read about supposed moderates condemning terrorist attacks, but then their wording on paper inevitably turns to the West oppressing them or that the West should "act in this way and not that" or the like...
I strongly recommend a panel of experts be formed--a wide and as unbiased a panel as possible--to examine written statements by Islamic moderates and to offer an honest opinion as to whether moderates in the Islamic world can really be expected to fix the problems in the Islamic world or will they on one hand distance themselves from radicals, but in speech and writing demonstrate that they really feel themselves to be "other" than the West and that they feel it is the West that primarily needs changing. Much hinges for the West on clear analysis and understanding of the "Islamic moderate".
21
We do need to look at our side of this double-sided coin. In fact, we in the United States have our own radicals and moderates. Unfortunately, due to an openness to manipulation, the radicals in the United States who want never ending war, and who are ready to give up their privacy rights, have been able to over rule and overcome the cautions expressed by the moderates. Radical neocons convinced us to go to war in Iraq, and radical Xenophobes are building a virtual wall around the United States. Although we have different beliefs and standards in the Western world than those in the Middle East, perhaps our response to accept violent solutions to perceived threats from outside forces are not that different.
1
Good piece, for a start. The agressive talk of Hollande reeks like the unreflected responses of the USA after 9/11. This impulsive way of operating has resulted in a Mid East situation that is even more threatening than in 2001. Most people have no clue of the sordid history of Western involvement in the ME after the collapse of the Ottomans in 1917. Colonialism, exploitation and division are the main adjectives for Western activity in the ME, and more warring for Western ends in the ME has not and will not pacify the region. The brualtily of ISIS should not make us ask for more of the same interventions, but should provoke, finally, some reflection on the role of the West in the Middle East. Basic should be the idea that the artificial 'countries' the West has created in the ME has imprisoned highly different groups into 'nations' that can not be governed . Another war by Western might is doing nothing to change the abject situation the West has created in the ME. All these cries for 'bombs on Isis', and then what?
20
Good and valid thoughts that unfortunately go against the west's M.O., supported by hushed up agendas to dominate in order to further exploit and plunder. Not to mention that it would first imply taking responsibility for everything that has brought us here.
I am not defending the terrorists, but conditions are perfect for the worst among them to inspire the disaffected.
When I first moved here I was shocked by the numerous expressions of racism by those whom I assumed to be forward thinking liberals but were in fact died in the wool reactionaries (their reactions to the events now are truly frightening). How can there ever be peace in a country where a large majority despises its largest minority and after several generations of their presence here still consider them foreigners whose natural reaction to their exclusion is to take pride in the only identity they are allowed?
Where to now? Good question.
I am not defending the terrorists, but conditions are perfect for the worst among them to inspire the disaffected.
When I first moved here I was shocked by the numerous expressions of racism by those whom I assumed to be forward thinking liberals but were in fact died in the wool reactionaries (their reactions to the events now are truly frightening). How can there ever be peace in a country where a large majority despises its largest minority and after several generations of their presence here still consider them foreigners whose natural reaction to their exclusion is to take pride in the only identity they are allowed?
Where to now? Good question.
1
Hollande is worried about Le Pen, and rightly so. Any other political tack by him would have resulted in mass riots and the certainty of Le Pen moving into the Elysee Palace after the next election. Perhaps there is some virtue in understanding your electorate's issues.
2
I suggest that Abdellah Taïa read today's paper re recovery.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/18/world/europe/french-crowd-cafes-to-def...®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
Paris has not been "safe" for quite a while and the same goes for the rest of France and for that matter Europe. It is just a question of who was getting shot when Islamic terrorists took aim.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/18/world/europe/french-crowd-cafes-to-def...®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
Paris has not been "safe" for quite a while and the same goes for the rest of France and for that matter Europe. It is just a question of who was getting shot when Islamic terrorists took aim.
2
Mr. Taia sums up the questions and fears of many of us, near and far from Paris, after the terrible terrorist attacks.
Thank you for the insight into the questions about race, religion and ethnicity, of our time and the reality of the schism between and within our local communities, and across the regions, and cultures.
Thank you for the insight into the questions about race, religion and ethnicity, of our time and the reality of the schism between and within our local communities, and across the regions, and cultures.
2
As a battle plan, as a strategy, doing exactly what your opponent wants is suicidal. "France has responded to Friday’s attacks with the following words, repeated in an endless loop: reinforced security, counterattack, war. Do we not understand that this is the very response the Islamic State wished to provoke?"that is so dangerous, but it has not stopped Republican Governors and Presidential Candidates from signing on to this suicide pact to follow the plan laid out by ISIS. Politicians are falling over themselves to commit suicide, some have taken the extra step of advocating that America declare war (Paul Ryan). The ISIS dream come true! These people ar incapable of thought and unfit to govern.
Instead, we should be holding the Saudis responsible for funding ISIS, helping ISIS in Yemen, funding charities and madrasas around the world that indoctrinate children through traumatic imprinting to kill all infidels, apostates and bring on the Caliphate by blowing themselves up. Here's a sample from NPR: http://www.npr.org/2015/11/16/456174727/isis-gains-a-foothold-in-afghani...
What compels us to play wack a mole while the root cause is evident? OIL, money, defense sales, and the sheer greed that war inspires? Or could it be the nostalgia of watching absolute monarchs cutting off heads in the square?
Instead, we should be holding the Saudis responsible for funding ISIS, helping ISIS in Yemen, funding charities and madrasas around the world that indoctrinate children through traumatic imprinting to kill all infidels, apostates and bring on the Caliphate by blowing themselves up. Here's a sample from NPR: http://www.npr.org/2015/11/16/456174727/isis-gains-a-foothold-in-afghani...
What compels us to play wack a mole while the root cause is evident? OIL, money, defense sales, and the sheer greed that war inspires? Or could it be the nostalgia of watching absolute monarchs cutting off heads in the square?
11
I feel sorry for expats from ISIL-active countries living in the US. It seems that there is little option other than for the US, and its partners, to initiate a program of enhanced surveillance of those populations.
During World War II, citizens of Axis countries were subjected to that level of scrutiny. Since we in the USA have a serious problem with a politically-unfixable immigration system that cannot track incoming people, and a society in which weapons proliferate like grass, perhaps there is room to hope that Homeland Security, the Justice Dept, and the NSA can structure some form of surveillance that helps to foster progress in both those areas.
The Ryan-McConnell Plan for refugee background checks on refugees is, thus far, the only serious idea the Republicans have produced, but, it is so insubstantial, that it looks like more of a political dodge than a head-on address.
During World War II, citizens of Axis countries were subjected to that level of scrutiny. Since we in the USA have a serious problem with a politically-unfixable immigration system that cannot track incoming people, and a society in which weapons proliferate like grass, perhaps there is room to hope that Homeland Security, the Justice Dept, and the NSA can structure some form of surveillance that helps to foster progress in both those areas.
The Ryan-McConnell Plan for refugee background checks on refugees is, thus far, the only serious idea the Republicans have produced, but, it is so insubstantial, that it looks like more of a political dodge than a head-on address.
1
Maybe this is a cultural thing, a facet of American exceptionalism, but I thought we expect individuals who have experienced trauma and loss to eventually heal and demonstrate resilience, not to go down too far a path of becoming crouched and fearful or even violently retaliatory, not to become (and I'm talking about the long run, not the immediate aftermath) preoccupied with safety but to accept life on life's terms and find a way to carry on. Is it different for a city or a country? Maybe it is, I don't know, but maybe there's something to be learned from how we expect individuals to react to crisis and maybe there is something we need to do about being careful about setting goals for what long-term recovery looks like. I say this in part as a reaction to how we in the U.S. have collectively responded to 9/11, which has seemed to me quite different from how we in the U.S. expect individuals to respond to traumatizing events in their particular lives but which affect fewer people -- I am wondering if we can learn more helpful ways to process and deal with national events.
13
what are you talking about? I can't really tell.
7
Tommy-O,
I am trying to say that if individuals adopted the response to trauma we seem to allow countries to engage in, those individuals would be criticized for not being resilient and constructive and healthy in their reaction, I think, at least in America.
I am trying to say that if individuals adopted the response to trauma we seem to allow countries to engage in, those individuals would be criticized for not being resilient and constructive and healthy in their reaction, I think, at least in America.
3
It's actually a very good comment. Why do we expect individuals to get over traumatic events, but not countries? Why is it that an individual who suffers a trauma (such as the loss of a loved one to gun violence) is expected to move on over time, but a country that suffers terrorism (such as 9/11 or the Paris attacks) is expected to get mired in irrational fear indefinitely?
I guess people just don't read any more. Anything beyond simple sound bites is incomprehensible to them. No wonder the right wing is so powerful.
I guess people just don't read any more. Anything beyond simple sound bites is incomprehensible to them. No wonder the right wing is so powerful.
4
Having said that, I would like to know what the author thinks the responsibility of the migrants who emigrated to Europe for a better life. I get that some Europeans have racist tendencies- just ask the Jews who were almost wiped out during WW2. What else is new? What exactly did the migrants expect? That the countries who allowed them into their country would also support their families in a wonderful life style? Look, racism is all over the world. Blacks still experience racism here in the US even after we fought a civil war over slavery. Things are better than they used to be though. Why? Because Blacks decided to organize and engage in peaceful protest. They didn't blow people up. Moreover, many went to college and engaged in the American dream and became prosperous. That's why we have a black President and a black neurosurgeon running for president. Sadly, not all have achieved success and many are living on the edge or in jail. But, there would have been no progress if they decided to become terrorists instead of teachers.
In the end, people are responsible for themselves in a free society. They had a right to protest in France legally. Instead, they decided on jihad.