Paris attacks

[amolitor]

The problem is, of course, global. Mainly because there are people everywhere.

Also, we're not going to solve it here, so who the hell cares what we choose to talk about?

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

There are problems around the globe, yet only a few are global. Radical Islam is one of them. India is not.

[AlterEgo]

There are problems around the globe, yet only a few are global. Radical Islam is one of them. India is not.

yes, as it was noted they kill only in India...

[amolitor]

One of the things we can usefully do is fight against the trivializing idea that 'well, it's basically just that Islam is terrible' which does some harm and no good.

[AlterEgo]

By all means let's sidetrack the discussion to India, the major civilization threat to America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Middle East. The favorite trick of armchair intellectuals: trivializing and equating everything to the point of absurd.

the major civilization threat to America is America's own actions in the first place...

[Robert Roaldi]

An historian's view: Macmillan.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

One of the things we can usefully do is fight against the trivializing idea that 'well, it's basically just that Islam is terrible' which does some harm and no good.

That's a very good description of what armchair intellectuals love doing: "fighting" against "bad" ideas... while the rest of the world has to actually fight actual people who put actually really bad ideas into actual practice.

[amolitor]

So when are you off to the middle east, Slobodan? And will you be taking a camera?

[Diego Pigozzo]

Is there a way to stop all the madness

Stopping being humans, I guess.

As long as people will continue to use their brain, instead of their mind, fear will always be an extremely effective way to achieve both side's objectives.
In fact, islamic terrorists are the perfect storm for those eager to sell security at the price of rationality: a fearful population is much easer to control.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

So when are you off to the middle east, Slobodan? And will you be taking a camera?

Supporting those who will go there is better than undermining them by saying they will be fighting Muslim Robin Hoods, which "aren't necessarily evil, just made up of people doing what they think is best for their community." (as per a Democratic congressional candidate)

If not me directly, my ancestors and countrymen had 500 years of fighting off Muslim invasion of Europe, some of which in the last couple of decades. That puts me in a slightly better position than someone whose only fight is which book on the subject to read next.

[amolitor]

I am pretty sure you're the only person here, or possibly anywhere on earth, who has described radical islamists as Robin Hoods.

To say that they arise from and that they are bolstered by a culture which feels itself victimized by the west is not the same thing as to describe them as a bunch of Robin Hoods except in the most simplistic and facetious interpretations.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

I am pretty sure you're the only person here, or possibly anywhere on earth, who has described radical islamists as Robin Hoods...

Me?

How about this guy:

One imagines that a well to do Muslim might be motivated to action on behalf of the less fortunate...

[amolitor]

I see neither of the words "Robin" nor "Hood" in the quoted text.

Nor do I see the meaning you seem to be ascribing to it, and, well look at that, I wrote it, so I get to decide what it means.

But I am finished now, I cannot bear to argue with you further on this because I am, ultimately, fond of you. I unilaterally agree to disagree, and you are welcome to join me in that position if you like.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

... Nor do I see the meaning you seem to be ascribing to it..

Per Wikipedia:

Robin Hood is often portrayed as "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor"

But I agree to disagree and drop the subject.

[jeremyrh]

while the rest of the world has to actually fight actual people who put actually really bad ideas into actual practice.

Just as a matter of interest, what fighting are you doing? Or are you, perhaps, still in your armchair?

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

Just as a matter of interest, what fighting are you doing? Or are you, perhaps, still in your armchair?

Already asked and answered.

[jeremyrh]

Already asked and answered.

Aah yes, sorry, my mistake - your ancestors fought Muslims. Obviously that justifies your current recumbent position.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

Aah yes, sorry, my mistake - your ancestors fought Muslims. Obviously that justifies your current recumbent position.

In any war, not everyone fights directly. Those who don't have three choices: to support the fight, stay quiet (do nothing) or undermine the fight. We all know the famous quote: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." That addresses those who stay quiet.

We are already fighting. I support that fight.

Those who would rather retire to a library to "study the problem," those who bring the Crusades, Bhudists, Indians, etc. into the discussion, those who say " they aren't necessarily evil, just made up of people doing what they think is best for their community," those who refuse to see or admit the only-too obvious link to the religion, they are those who effectively undermine the fight.

I am all for a careful analysis. I am all for an open debate. I am all for admitting past mistakes we did. But there is time for analysis and time for debate, and then there is time for action.

This it the time for action.

[jeremyrh]

I am all for a careful analysis. I am all for an open debate. I am all for admitting past mistakes we did. But there is time for analysis and time for debate, and then there is time for action.

This it the time for action.

Yeah, right  - but the fact remains that you aren't actually doing anything apart from typing garbage on an internet forum.

[Justinr]

While we are all busy working ourselves up into a lather about those wicked Islamic fundamentalists here's another zealot that should perhaps be condemned, or is it alright because he's 'one of us'?

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/11/16/christian-pastor-criticizes-paris-terror-attack-victims-for-attending-death-metal-concert/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=friendlyatheist_111615UTC051113_daily&utm_content=&spMailingID=50028537&spUserID=MTQ0Mzk0MDA2MTc1S0&spJobID=802204080&spReportId=ODAyMjA0MDgwS0