This article is far too deep for me but I'm sure one or two will be able to make something of it. What I did read was not nice.
Dreadful stuff, Ron, bombing is just not the answer, far too many innocent people are being killed this way. However, the notion mentioned above that this situation should be nothing to do with us and should be many miles away, just does not hold. It is to do with us, and it is upon us, and is not far away from us. Of the swarms arriving daily, Bavaria is stuck with an estimated 40,000 of them; it just cannot ship the whole lot northwards, although the majority of citizens here would like to park the entire million or so outside the Frau Chancellor's office in Berlin (I do realise OddDog would not think much of that at all, but that has to be the general feeling in this border State, Germany's largest province, incidentally. This, regardless of the wailings of the Greens, some fringe Human Rights groups, and other Wizard of Oz organisations). Munich, along with other major cities in Europe, is now even more vulnerable to terrorist attacks, and everyone here is (inwardly) deeply concerned, rightly so. However, the Bavarians are a stoic people, and will weather the storm, no doubt about that. Again, this ghastly conflict is upon us, and it is to do with us. Problem is, exactly what in hell action do we take? Those in power in this world of ours at this very moment seem to have no idea, one or two of whom are making complete asses of themselves, it would be fair to say.
It has to do with everyone. I'm as far away as you can get, and have no relative power to change anything, but that does not mean that my country should opt out on my behalf. I too think bombing innocents is not the answer, their innocents are just as important as those in Paris. Pro bombers think that hitting back with aircraft will ramp up the pressure on the people of the target ground, and hopefully they will be able to stop the terrorists. That's not going to happen, the ISIS leadership have too strong a hold on the area. They are the ones in power and it is them that make the final decisions there. France's problem is that she can't be seen to be doing nothing. As there is no fast solution, she's left with tied hands.
I would not be surprised if another 'attack' in a European city has not already been planned. The difficulty is the **** that the perpetrators are willing to die for the promise of 'virgins'. Can't believe anyone could be so gullible as we would no doubt prefer twenty or so £3000 a night escorts or a never ending visit to the Cheltenham Festival where we could be promised a winner every second race; no deity could 'back' or advise you of the winner of every race!!!!! Sorry to bring a touch of levity to this subject; no, come to think of it. I'm not!!!!! Back to the rolling news channels for me. Late edit; just thinking I am a wee bit of a lucky c..t: 1. There was a large fire at an entertainment centre in Douglas on the Isle of Man; missed this by a couple of days. 2. The year the Baader-Meinhof gang' set off a bomb at The Octoberfest I missed this by a week. 3. Recent events in Paris; missed by a two days. Am I being saved for some great event in the existence of 'BayernKenny!!!
You know, just a few days ago, Fr.Merkel was being interviewed on the ZDF TV channel here, and during the exchanges she came out with an absolute classic, "Don't worry, I have everything under control"." Straight away, I felt so much better....
Were you a fan of Frau Merkel and have now ceased your support? Hope your good feeling continues!!!!!
Never a fan, BayernKenny, she is a politícal animal, anyone who gets in her way is quickly removed. As a good example, an up and coming young politician in her CDU party many years ago, Friedrich Merz, was just too talented, and too good for her taste, and was quietly removed from power. Think he was CDU Party Chairman for a couple of years. She likes surrounding herself with 'yes' people. However, having said that, Wolfgang Schäuble, the Finance Minister, is way too powerful and is the senior CDU politician in parliament at the moment. He could pose a real problem for her nowadays, given current events. As for Herr Merz, don't think he would ever go back, he's been doing very well in business, thank you, which is no surprise given his powerful intellect.
I see that Friedrich Merz became a judge at AGE 30!!! I presume the system in Germany is similar to that in France. Don't think I am smart as I became aware of the system in France from a TV series - Spiral - Engrenages!! Saw Frau Merkel on TV in my mother's care home during the minute's silence. She looked suitably glum; probably more to do with her current political ratings at 'home'.
Just listened to President Hollande's speech to a rarely-called meeting of the French parliaments, Lower House and Senate, together with the French Judiciary too, I believe. The singing of "La Marseillaise" at the end of this very special congress brought tears to my eyes.
I am sorry, BayernKenny, on (2) I have to pull you up there, the bombing at the Oktoberfest grounds on September 26, 1980, was certainly nothing to do with the Baader-Meinhof gang. It was carried-out by a right-wing extremist group, the actual perpetrator being a geology student by the name of Gundolf Köhler. You have certainly been a lucky lad in your life at times. Me too, three military coups (one quite nasty) plus quite a few dodgy situations, but this is nothing unusual in the life of an expat., as they will be quick to tell you. Just damn glad my wife and daughter were not visiting me at the time, they did not have to go through any of it, thank God. It is strange that you bring this up, as I recall that I was returning from somewhere abroad and in a plane that was on final approach to the old Munich-Riem airport, when the pilot told us what had just happened. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oktoberfest_terror_attack
There is something about "La Marseillaise" as opposed to the dirges which the other European National Hymns seem to be that does bring tears to eyes. You may think of scenes from movies - Casablanca - This Land Is Mine or the lead up to sports events. The video of the fans leaving Stade de France was the same for me. For information I include both my Anthems (UK and Scotland) but not the European Anthem. Went back to Wikipedia. I only looked at the precis under the results of my enquiry; must be more careful.
Maybe Facebook copyrighted or something. Anyway, posted on fb by The Revolution, a very well presented little feature about how America created ISIS - it does appear to be entirely plausible. Check it out if you have a fb account
We know the USA created/financed/armed the Mujahideen to disrupt and eventually defeat the Soviets in Afghanistan. The Mujahideen then evolved into the Taliban!!! What's to say the USA have tried another ruse which has now bit them and others in the arse!!!!
Just watched an interview on Channel 4 news between John Snow and a guy who was at Stade de France with his son. The most touching episode I have seen since Friday evening. Did anybody else see the interview?
What the **** is this? The net is alive with the story that Russia has phosphorus bombed a Syrian village earlier this month. Some of the comments though are saying that this clip is bullshit, they suggest that this looks nothing like what they've had experience with when it comes the use of "Willie Pete." So, is it, or is it not a phosphorus attack, if not, what is it?
Jeremy Corbyn backs 'strictly necessary force' to save lives Next week is Thanksgiving, but the turkey is currently in London: Stop The War Jezza. Clearly Corbyn has not been advised by his friends at Hamas or Hezzbollah that jihadists tend to wear suicide vests so they can blow themselves up and kill others. They are happy to die for their cause. So if at Wembley tonight an armed officer sees what he suspects is a jihadist, he should challenge them and definitely shoot to kill. The Leader of the Opposition really is a threat to national security as the Prime Minister says.
