Paris attacks

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

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

Which helps to shape public opinion, or at least counters shaping it by the garbage you and the likes type.

Besides, I will be voting soon... would that count as "doing"?

[Robert Roaldi]

It was probably rhetorical but I don't think it's one or the other, analysis or action, it's probably both, and other things too, simultaneously, all the time. I presume that what you meant by action is to go shoot someone. I would agree, when someone is shooting at you, you should shoot back. In this case, ISIS seems to have no friends so nobody will be upset when people shoot back. But unless you analyze first, you might not know who to shoot.

From the NY Times: NY Times opinion piece.

[jeremyrh]

Besides, I will be voting soon... would that count as "doing"?

Just be careful you don't overexert yourself.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

It was probably rhetorical but I don't think it's one or the other, analysis or action, it's probably both, and other things too, simultaneously, all the time. I presume that what you meant by action is to go shoot someone. I would agree, when someone is shooting at you, you should shoot back. In this case, ISIS seems to have no friends so nobody will be upset when people shoot back. But unless you analyze first, you might not know who to shoot.

From the NY Times: NY Times opinion piece.

I agree: simultaneous and all the time.

Good article, thanks.

Here is another, in the Washington Post, written by a former ambassador to Iraq, Turkey and Albania, and deputy national security adviser:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-us-must-send-ground-forces-to-eliminate-the-islamic-state/2015/11/16/685aff20-8c63-11e5-ae1f-af46b7df8483_story.html

[jeremyrh]

the-us-must-send-ground-forces-to-eliminate-the-islamic-state

Genius. That worked so well last time around. And the time before that. And ....

[Alan Goldhammer]

I agree: simultaneous and all the time.

Good article, thanks.

Here is another, in the Washington Post, written by a former ambassador to Iraq, Turkey and Albania, and deputy national security adviser:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-us-must-send-ground-forces-to-eliminate-the-islamic-state/2015/11/16/685aff20-8c63-11e5-ae1f-af46b7df8483_story.html

It's going to end up being whack-a-mole.  Until "moderate" Islam (yes the vast proportion who follow the precepts of Islam are in fact moderates as per three of my neighbors) openly reject "radical" Islam and take overt steps to end support of the Wahabist regime in Saudi Arabia who disproportionately fund all this (along with their Qatari neighbors) things will never get resolved.  Another splinter group will arise (look at the huge Islamic discontent in regions of Russia).  There needs to be a unified approach to this problem, throwing more soldiers and ordinance at ISIS is a useful short term strategy but destined to end up just like Iraq and Afghanistan.   The US will feel good for a moment but things will eventually go south (remember President Bush's proclamation of victory on the aircraft carrier back in 2003???).

[Justinr]

It's going to end up being whack-a-mole.  Until "moderate" Islam (yes the vast proportion who follow the precepts of Islam are in fact moderates as per three of my neighbors) openly reject "radical" Islam and take overt steps to end support of the Wahabist regime in Saudi Arabia who disproportionately fund all this (along with their Qatari neighbors) things will never get resolved.  Another splinter group will arise (look at the huge Islamic discontent in regions of Russia).  There needs to be a unified approach to this problem, throwing more soldiers and ordinance at ISIS is a useful short term strategy but destined to end up just like Iraq and Afghanistan.   The US will feel good for a moment but things will eventually go south (remember President Bush's proclamation of victory on the aircraft carrier back in 2003???).

"Mission accomplished" Was anybody really ever sure what the mission actually was or how it was known that it had been accomplished?

[Misirlou]

The military objective of removing the Bath Party from power in Iraq was the mission that carrier helped accomplish. Neither the sailors aboard nor President Bush had any illusion that the "war was over" or that all problems in Iraq were solved. Anyone who paid any attention to what Bush said that day would know that.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

‘With Open Gates: The forced collective suicide of European nations’, a slick, hard-hitting film about the European migrant crisis is going viral in Europe, already watched at least million and half times.

http://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/11/11/watch-anti-migrant-video-going-viral-across-europe/

[jeremyrh]

‘With Open Gates: The forced collective suicide of European nations’, a slick, hard-hitting film about the European migrant crisis is going viral in Europe, already watched at least million and half times.

http://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/11/11/watch-anti-migrant-video-going-viral-across-europe/

"Also featured is American presidential hopeful Donald Trump, who gives his opinion on the migrant crisis"

"It also includes a short clip of discredited, anti-Semitic politician Nick Griffin, former Member of the European Parliament and leader of the British National Party."

Yep, an all star cast of reliable authorities.

[Justinr]

The military objective of removing the Bath Party from power in Iraq was the mission that carrier helped accomplish. Neither the sailors aboard nor President Bush had any illusion that the "war was over" or that all problems in Iraq were solved. Anyone who paid any attention to what Bush said that day would know that.

I always kinda felt that they were making things like that up as they went along in a bid to cover the fact that things weren't going to according to the hawks wet dreams.... sorry carefully conceived and detailed plans. But I could be wrong.

[Diego Pigozzo]

the fact that things weren't going to according to the hawks wet dreams

Boeing, Halliburton and many others made (and still make) billions from the "carefully conceived and detailed plans gone wrong".
So, maybe, they didn't went wrong, after all.

[Paulo Bizarro]

From a pragmatic perspective, two questions, without any political stand, which I do not wish to discuss here:

1. ISIS is selling oil to make money, who is buying it?

2. ISIS is using said money to buy guns, who is selling them?

Regards

[Diego Pigozzo]

From a pragmatic perspective, two questions, without any political stand, which I do not wish to discuss here:

1. ISIS is selling oil to make money, who is buying it?

2. ISIS is using said money to buy guns, who is selling them?

Regards

Whatever the answers are, it doesn't matter because shutting down the money flow to the bad guys will require a level of international coordination that never existed in history (and will probably never will).

[jeremyrh]

From a pragmatic perspective, two questions, without any political stand, which I do not wish to discuss here:

1. ISIS is selling oil to make money, who is buying it?

2. ISIS is using said money to buy guns, who is selling them?

Regards

Well this is the crazy thing - the answer to your questions are the same in both cases  - everyone. The Syrian regime, the Turks, ultimately you and me.

http://blogs.channel4.com/factcheck/fact-check-fund-reign-terror/21908

[Paulo Bizarro]

Well this is the crazy thing - the answer to your questions are the same in both cases  - everyone. The Syrian regime, the Turks, ultimately you and me.

http://blogs.channel4.com/factcheck/fact-check-fund-reign-terror/21908

Yes, I already knew about all these topics. My intention was to draw attention to the fact that political discussion alone will not oust these barbarians; actions will, and cutting supply lines and financial ties from the likes of Saudi, Qatar, and Kuwait...

BTW, I use "barbarians" in the sense of "savages" and "thugs".

[Diego Pigozzo]

Yes, I already knew about all these topics. My intention was to draw attention to the fact that political discussion alone will not oust these barbarians; actions will, and cutting supply lines and financial ties from the likes of Saudi, Qatar, and Kuwait...

Looks like the "I want world peace" thing at Miss America, to me.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

Yes, I already knew about all these topics...

Ok, but did you know about the third source of arms, Obama's donations? In his delusion, he spent hundred million dollars on arming and training so-called moderate Muslims, only to see them defect to ISIS the next day, taking with them all those, fairly modern and sophisticated arms.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

...Yep, an all star cast of reliable authorities.

Both take a few seconds in the 19 minute video, shorter than, for instance, Angela Merker and other pro-refugee politicians also featured.

[Jeremy Roussak]

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

No, he's a moronic bigot. But he hasn't killed anyone.

Jeremy