My thoughts go to Manchester
May 23rd, 2017 | 01:11 AM
#7
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,165
Likes: 2
FF, the suicide bomber (now confirmed) detonated the device in the foyer of the Arena, so didn't gain entry to the venue. Latest is 22 dead, 59 injured.
I intend to go into the city today to show that we're not cowed by these ba****ds who want to kill children at a concert. This is my city and we don't give it up easily.
I intend to go into the city today to show that we're not cowed by these ba****ds who want to kill children at a concert. This is my city and we don't give it up easily.
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May 23rd, 2017 | 03:01 AM
#9
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
The honest truth about these attacks is how useless they are.
They slightly increase the inconveniences of life. They have zero political effect in Europe and they don't provoke backlash hostility against the local Muslim population. They typically reduce some associated activity (like visiting local shopping centres) for a few weeks.
That's it.
It's clear that the British and US invasion of Iraq was partly provoked by the massacres of Sep 11, 2001, and that Spain's withdrawing of support for that invasion was largely provoked by the Madrid train bombings.
I may have overlooked an exception to this rule: but as far as I can see, since 2004 all Western terrorism has been simply a pointless exercise of violence.
If anything, the attacks since last Xmas - in Berlin, Paris, London and Manchester - have only increased local solidarity, among all local races and creeds. And political extremists, on any side, have gained no advantage from them.
They slightly increase the inconveniences of life. They have zero political effect in Europe and they don't provoke backlash hostility against the local Muslim population. They typically reduce some associated activity (like visiting local shopping centres) for a few weeks.
That's it.
It's clear that the British and US invasion of Iraq was partly provoked by the massacres of Sep 11, 2001, and that Spain's withdrawing of support for that invasion was largely provoked by the Madrid train bombings.
I may have overlooked an exception to this rule: but as far as I can see, since 2004 all Western terrorism has been simply a pointless exercise of violence.
If anything, the attacks since last Xmas - in Berlin, Paris, London and Manchester - have only increased local solidarity, among all local races and creeds. And political extremists, on any side, have gained no advantage from them.
May 23rd, 2017 | 06:53 AM
#11
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 57,091
Likes: 5
Terrible news. I wonder how the security of the arena was, to let such a thing happen.>>
as said above, he got into the foyer before the security cordon and targeted the people who were starting to leave. As someone pointed out on radio this morning, wherever you have the final security barrier, you simply move the terrorists to just outside it. Have the security outside the theatre, they target the station.
Good for you Rubicund.
as said above, he got into the foyer before the security cordon and targeted the people who were starting to leave. As someone pointed out on radio this morning, wherever you have the final security barrier, you simply move the terrorists to just outside it. Have the security outside the theatre, they target the station.
Good for you Rubicund.
May 23rd, 2017 | 08:10 AM
#15
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,801
Likes: 0
Interesting post, flanner.
Even though we have suffered fewer such attacks, in the US (and IMO, obviously), they have served to bolster the notion that ISIS represents an existential threat to Western democracies. Which I think is exactly what ISIS wants, a worthy opponent, as it were, for recruiting and fundraising purposes.
Europe has a longer history of coping with small-scale terrorist attacks (most home-grown): perhaps that's why they don't work there as intended.
Even though we have suffered fewer such attacks, in the US (and IMO, obviously), they have served to bolster the notion that ISIS represents an existential threat to Western democracies. Which I think is exactly what ISIS wants, a worthy opponent, as it were, for recruiting and fundraising purposes.
Europe has a longer history of coping with small-scale terrorist attacks (most home-grown): perhaps that's why they don't work there as intended.
May 23rd, 2017 | 09:35 AM
#18
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
The honest truth about these attacks is how useless they are.
They slightly increase the inconveniences of life. They have zero political effect in Europe>
disagree - at least in France attacks have polarized public opinion against some types of immigrants even though many attacks are by ones born there (or in Belgium).
You do not think it may have some influence on the UK elections coming up? None?
They slightly increase the inconveniences of life.> But they cause huge stupendous increases in security costs-zillions of pounds.
They slightly increase the inconveniences of life. They have zero political effect in Europe>
disagree - at least in France attacks have polarized public opinion against some types of immigrants even though many attacks are by ones born there (or in Belgium).
You do not think it may have some influence on the UK elections coming up? None?
They slightly increase the inconveniences of life.> But they cause huge stupendous increases in security costs-zillions of pounds.
May 23rd, 2017 | 09:39 AM
#19
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Back to the OP - yes this is another dastardly attack targeting the most innocent of society. I'm against capital punishment but I'd shoot any ISIS member on site.
Yes I feel sorry for Manchurians affected and the whole city has to be as the whole UK and all of humanity.
What more can be said.
Yes I feel sorry for Manchurians affected and the whole city has to be as the whole UK and all of humanity.
What more can be said.
