Very sad but will be a wake-up call to the European elite/wets who think that you can open the gates to millions of third world types and somehow not expect your country to become like the third world.
If European countries all had proper borders it would of course be far more difficult for terrorists and mass immigration to take place. Very simple.
Schengen could only work if the outer border of the zone was a proper border. Erm.
'Can't find adequate words of sympathy for those caught up in this. I suspect every secular western democracy with a significant Islamic minority is destined to have major problems over the coming years. Sadly I can also see the far right rising in each of these countries as well as a reaction to the fear. Didn't it occur to any of our politicians that allowing the mass immigration of people with medieval, intolerant, mysoginist, homophobic and anti-western beliefs into our countries wasn't going to end well? '
And Merkel has just invited another million + to come to Europe with zero security vetting.
One of the purposes of this attack is probably to provoke a reaction leading to a Le Pen win in the presidential election.
I doubt that is a purpose, why?? It would be a consequence, but not a purpose unless you are a false flag believer. I doubt ISIS could care less about the internal politics of France.
If they believe her election would lead to maximum chaos and unrest in the country, they would support that outcome, probably.
I doubt ISIS give a rat's ass who is in charge of the European powers, Cameron, Le Pen, Corbyn, Merkel etc.
Do ISIS have any coherent leadership or strategy? It does not seem to be leading them anywhere.
Now Corbyn is in the Privy Council and will have had told to him the true state of the world, what will he say?
Well I doubt it will be what Mr Rentoul posted on Twitter !
I refuse to believe that ISIS will win this war. We simply can't let them, and if all the European countries + America unite together, I'm sure we can win this war.
The kernel of the failure of IS as a directed and effective unit and movement is already in evidence. Much of it will be self inflicted.
Richard - this is nothing less than a clash of "civilizations" - to compare the current situation to the IRA is frankly laughable.
The IRA were more sophisticated. They almost managed to bump off the UK government. They also lobbed mortars at No 10.
Look, I've been one of those arguing for us not to under-estimate the threat of terrorist attacks, arguing against people who have complacently said that the risk is not a big deal. But equally, we need to keep a sense of perspective. This is not the Blitz.
I agree. I am not sure to what extent Schengen is directly relevant but this on top of the clear change in the whole picture of mass movements of ultimately millions of people shows it is a busted flush.
On a pedantic point I am not sure 'mobilising' is the right word, unless the French are indeed calling up reservists.
You can mobilise the regulars, linguistically speaking; not all regularly are war-ready at any particular time.
The Gendarmerie are a paramilitary force. They'll likely be reinforced with regular troops at sensitive sites.
When I was in Paris a few weeks ago, I noticed a much more visible Police presence at Gare du Nord and other touristy places.
Christian Fraser @ChristianFraser 10m10 minutes ago Paris was already at highest level of alert. The French army guarding train stations, synagogues, tourist sites. Dreading the next attack/s
I also noticed they were looking at me very closely.
Just to lighten things. Was it your shoes?
Alas no, they were very sober shoes.
Judging by what I'm reading on twitter, I'm likely to get deported along with every other Muslim in the country, so enjoy my shoes whilst you can.
Whatever tonight is TSE - it ain't about you - give it a fucking rest eh ?
This is a huge attack. Multiple people, clearly a large network. How can this happen ?
It's concerning they could do this without being infiltrated by the security services or having their communications hacked.
Indeed - A large and coordinated attack on this scale should not have escaped the attention of the French security services. French MI5 asleep at the wheel?
I did not particularly want to raise this at this moment, but it is a fair question.
I refuse to believe that ISIS will win this war. We simply can't let them, and if all the European countries + America unite together, I'm sure we can win this war.
Of course ISIS can't win in Europe. The question is just how much serious disintegration of the Middle East they can cause.
I agree. I am not sure to what extent Schengen is directly relevant but this on top of the clear change in the whole picture of mass movements of ultimately millions of people shows it is a busted flush.
On a pedantic point I am not sure 'mobilising' is the right word, unless the French are indeed calling up reservists.
You can mobilise the regulars, linguistically speaking; not all regularly are war-ready at any particular time.
The Gendarmerie are a paramilitary force. They'll likely be reinforced with regular troops at sensitive sites.
When I was in Paris a few weeks ago, I noticed a much more visible Police presence at Gare du Nord and other touristy places.
Christian Fraser @ChristianFraser 10m10 minutes ago Paris was already at highest level of alert. The French army guarding train stations, synagogues, tourist sites. Dreading the next attack/s
I also noticed they were looking at me very closely.
Just to lighten things. Was it your shoes?
Alas no, they were very sober shoes.
Judging by what I'm reading on twitter, I'm likely to get deported along with every other Muslim in the country, so enjoy my shoes whilst you can.
Whatever tonight is TSE - it ain't about you - give it a fucking rest eh ?
Yes - but also fight back and defeat this evil. Not just endure it. Long past the time for us to stoically endure this evil. We need to hit back hard and defeat it. I'm not prepared to let European civilization go down without a fight.
Now now, keep a sense of perspective! This is a very nasty set of terrorist attacks, like the IRA bombings of the 70s and 80s, but it's not the end of civilisation.
Richard - this is nothing less than a clash of "civilizations" - to compare the current situation to the IRA is frankly laughable.
No he is right. It is certainly a big issue and must be faced.
Yes - but also fight back and defeat this evil. Not just endure it. Long past the time for us to stoically endure this evil. We need to hit back hard and defeat it. I'm not prepared to let European civilization go down without a fight.
Now now, keep a sense of perspective! This is a very nasty set of terrorist attacks, like the IRA bombings of the 70s and 80s, but it's not the end of civilisation.
It's not - yet. Though I am struggling to remember any IRA attack at any point during the Troubles when there were 6 attacks in the same day in London or any other city on civilian targets.
But I have no doubt that IS and those like them do hate and would like to destroy Western civilization, indeed any sort of civilization at all. What do you think the destruction of Palmyra is about, for instance? Or the attacks on Charlie Hebdo?
The sooner and the harder we fight back, the greater our chances of making sure this does not get any worse.
A wicked, surreal night. Evil literally walking through the streets of one of the world's greatest cities. All strength to France and the French people. Endure and overcome. There is no other choice.
Yes - but also fight back and defeat this evil. Not just endure it. Long past the time for us to stoically endure this evil. We need to hit back hard and defeat it. I'm not prepared to let European civilization go down without a fight.
Yes - but also fight back and defeat this evil. Not just endure it. Long past the time for us to stoically endure this evil. We need to hit back hard and defeat it. I'm not prepared to let European civilization go down without a fight.
Now now, keep a sense of perspective! This is a very nasty set of terrorist attacks, like the IRA bombings of the 70s and 80s, but it's not the end of civilisation.
With respect, Richard, your own perspective may need adjusting. The IRA bombers weren't accompanied by millions of refugees/migrants all intent on setting up home in the UK, which Europe is now facing.
Paradoxically, the present atrocities may make it easier for the European public to defend their civilisation against the peaceful invasion.
Interesting that on France 24 the commentators are still talking about how Hollande will have trouble closing the borders because of Schengen. They seem totally divorced from the reality of what is happening.
I thought Schengen included provision for emergency closures anyway?
However, I can see that there might be a practical problem, in that they've probably dismantled a lot of the organisation and physical facilities.
The sea is our very good friend. Border controls too. Schengen is dead.
Interesting that on France 24 the commentators are still talking about how Hollande will have trouble closing the borders because of Schengen. They seem totally divorced from the reality of what is happening.
Of course. That is how ingrained the mix of wet-lefty-liberal mentality together with the European integration dream is with the majority on the continent (and many here in Britain). Our leaders either need to get real - NOW - or we will face collapse as a civilizaton.
There are more Moslems in France than in any other European country. The dynamics of their arrival there have very little to do with the EU and a lot to do with French history.
I refuse to believe that ISIS will win this war. We simply can't let them, and if all the European countries + America unite together, I'm sure we can win this war.
The kernel of the failure of IS as a directed and effective unit and movement is already in evidence. Much of it will be self inflicted.
I hope so. At this stage I feel like we should be closing our borders too, it feels like we've been unbelievably lucky not to have an ISIS related attack here.
But why France? Why does do these attacks keep happening there?
The sea is our very good friend. Border controls too. Schengen is dead.
Interesting that on France 24 the commentators are still talking about how Hollande will have trouble closing the borders because of Schengen. They seem totally divorced from the reality of what is happening.
Of course. That is how ingrained the mix of wet-lefty-liberal mentality together with the European integration dream is with the majority on the continent (and many here in Britain). Our leaders either need to get real - NOW - or we will face collapse as a civilizaton.
We (the West) need to grow a backbone and deal with IS in Syria and Iraq.
Is probably unfounded speculation on my part, but was the attack at the Stade de France an attempted assassination on Hollande?
It's too big to be an assassination attempt, and many innocent french have been killed. However a frenchman tried to kill him during a 14th July parade at a time where there were rumours of a military coup to depose him, Hollande is very unpopular so many frenchmen wouldn't mind, but killing lots of innocent people just to get him is not in the style of french nationalist circles.
The sea is our very good friend. Border controls too. Schengen is dead.
Interesting that on France 24 the commentators are still talking about how Hollande will have trouble closing the borders because of Schengen. They seem totally divorced from the reality of what is happening.
Of course. That is how ingrained the mix of wet-lefty-liberal mentality together with the European integration dream is with the majority on the continent (and many here in Britain). Our leaders either need to get real - NOW - or we will face collapse as a civilizaton.
We (the West) need to grow a backbone and deal with IS in Syria and Iraq.
There are more Moslems in France than in any other European country. The dynamics of their arrival there have very little to do with the EU and a lot to do with French history.
An interesting point is that no-one knows how many Muslims are in France because it's forbidden to ask religious questions in censuses. There are just rough estimates.
If they are they've gone for the least worst option, if there is line up killing going on, which is a quick strike. I just fear that the most opportune timing moment of 2-3 hours has passed. If so the complications multiply.
Active measures units will often have a database of key buildings that not includes floor plans but have also been surveyed. I have no doubts whatsoever the French have one, its really a question of whether they have one for that theatre. Priceless if they do.
It will be interesting to see the weapon source and whether some dodge-pot in the Benelux region was involved somewhere down the line.
Slackbladder, you could do this with less than a dozen shooters and a few dumbos with the desire to press the big button on their chest.
Yes you are right about the frighteningly small bunch that is needed for this. There will be a trail back to somewhere but it will be a thin one.
So no statement of support for France from Merkel yet? Very strange that she would keep quiet, unless she's gone into a funk.
Can you just begin to imagine the fallout if one or more of these guys has entered France in the last months weeks and days undercover of the migrants crisis.
I refuse to believe that ISIS will win this war. We simply can't let them, and if all the European countries + America unite together, I'm sure we can win this war.
The kernel of the failure of IS as a directed and effective unit and movement is already in evidence. Much of it will be self inflicted.
I hope so. At this stage I feel like we should be closing our borders too, it feels like we've been unbelievably lucky not to have an ISIS related attack here.
But why France? Why does do these attacks keep happening there?
Very, very big, long-established Moslem population with close links to North Africa and Middle East. A lot of disaffected second and third generation young men. Lots of places to hide.
So no statement of support for France from Merkel yet? Very strange that she would keep quiet, unless she's gone into a funk.
She came out with a statement an hour ago
BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was "profoundly shocked" by a string of deadly attacks in Paris Friday that left at least 39 people dead.
"I am profoundly shocked by the news and images from Paris. At this time, my thoughts are with the victims of these apparently terrorist attacks, and with their families and all residents of Paris," Merkel said in a statement.
So no statement of support for France from Merkel yet? Very strange that she would keep quiet, unless she's gone into a funk.
Can you just begin to imagine the fallout if one or more of these guys has entered France in the last months weeks and days undercover of the migrants crisis.
Now that will have big long lasting implications as the blame can be straightly followed back to Berlin.
There are more Moslems in France than in any other European country. The dynamics of their arrival there have very little to do with the EU and a lot to do with French history.
An interesting point is that no-one knows how many Muslims are in France because it's forbidden to ask religious questions in censuses. There are just rough estimates.
Yes, France is a secular nation. But its right to point out the dynamics of France's Muslim population has nothing to do with the EU. Like many countries France has a colonial history.
Spare a thought for the police/special forces tasked with storming that theatre, if that is indeed underway. Having to do it at such short notice, probably with vague intelligence, against terrorists hopped up on adrenaline from the earlier attack. It will be a very grim night ahead, I fear.
So no statement of support for France from Merkel yet? Very strange that she would keep quiet, unless she's gone into a funk.
She came out with a statement an hour ago
BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was "profoundly shocked" by a string of deadly attacks in Paris Friday that left at least 39 people dead.
"I am profoundly shocked by the news and images from Paris. At this time, my thoughts are with the victims of these apparently terrorist attacks, and with their families and all residents of Paris," Merkel said in a statement.
Thank you for pointing that out. Clearly the usual suspects are already rowing in with the usual insinuations. I'll go with the thread header and just feel plain sickened and hope for the best for Paris and the French . I'll leave all the frenzy making to others. Thank you and goodnight.
Having a significant fast growing minority of an insurgent religion in a country leads to this. When will people accept it and deal with it? What will it take?
This is a huge attack. Multiple people, clearly a large network. How can this happen ?
It's concerning they could do this without being infiltrated by the security services or having their communications hacked.
On the basis of fhis let the intelligence services have every single thing they bloody well need.
I don't understand how objections would survive but they will, from the usual suspects.
Perhaps it would help if you realised that the French already have the snooping laws you are trying to support in the UK and it has made not a blind bit of difference. The French authorities have far more power over the population than we have in the UK and what good has that done them?
Richard - this is nothing less than a clash of "civilizations" - to compare the current situation to the IRA is frankly laughable.
The IRA were more sophisticated. They almost managed to bump off the UK government. They also lobbed mortars at No 10.
Look, I've been one of those arguing for us not to under-estimate the threat of terrorist attacks, arguing against people who have complacently said that the risk is not a big deal. But equally, we need to keep a sense of perspective. This is not the Blitz.
Richard They are killing the children of French parents tonight. They will be killing the children of British parents next on the streets of London. That's the prospective and that is why we have to band together , hunt these vermin down and eradicate them permanently.
I've just placed a large bet based on the possible implications of this.
Sorry France.
Donation to children in need is on its way. Dunno why, but it seems appropriate.
Sorry again.
RIP.
Shades of cantor index scum on 9/11, although it crossed my mind...
One of my first posts on PB was in the hours after Michael Jackson's death.
Partybets were taking wagers on how many of his summer concerts would go ahead. IIRC, "No concerts" was available @ 7/2. It would have been a little rude not to...
I probably should be a little more careful moralising about John Rentoul's tweets in future.
Richard - this is nothing less than a clash of "civilizations" - to compare the current situation to the IRA is frankly laughable.
The IRA were more sophisticated. They almost managed to bump off the UK government. They also lobbed mortars at No 10.
Look, I've been one of those arguing for us not to under-estimate the threat of terrorist attacks, arguing against people who have complacently said that the risk is not a big deal. But equally, we need to keep a sense of perspective. This is not the Blitz.
You are very, very naive - there is a global problem and has been for years.
Spare a thought for the police/special forces tasked with storming that theatre, if that is indeed underway. Having to do it at such short notice, probably with vague intelligence, against terrorists hopped up on adrenaline from the earlier attack. It will be a very grim night ahead, I fear.
I've just placed a large bet based on the possible implications of this.
Sorry France.
Donation to children in need is on its way. Dunno why, but it seems appropriate.
Sorry again.
RIP.
Shades of cantor index scum on 9/11, although it crossed my mind...
One of my first posts on PB was in the hours after Michael Jackson's death.
Partybets were taking wagers on how many of his summer concerts would go ahead. IIRC, "No concerts" was available @ 7/2. It would have been a little rude not to...
I probably should be a little more careful moralising about John Rentoul's tweets in future.
Oddschecker blue on remain 45-50 and 50-55... Life goes on it seems
Yes - but also fight back and defeat this evil. Not just endure it. Long past the time for us to stoically endure this evil. We need to hit back hard and defeat it. I'm not prepared to let European civilization go down without a fight.
Now now, keep a sense of perspective! This is a very nasty set of terrorist attacks, like the IRA bombings of the 70s and 80s, but it's not the end of civilisation.
This is substantially more deadly than anything the IRA did.
Two terrorists reportedly killed as security forces operation continues at Bataclan. Henry Samuel reports: Quote "Apocalypptic" scenes inside the Bataclan, where assailants attacked the crowd with grenades leaving many dead, say police. Two gunmen have been killed in police raid, but the death toll likely to rise steeply.
I refuse to believe that ISIS will win this war. We simply can't let them, and if all the European countries + America unite together, I'm sure we can win this war.
The kernel of the failure of IS as a directed and effective unit and movement is already in evidence. Much of it will be self inflicted.
I hope so. At this stage I feel like we should be closing our borders too, it feels like we've been unbelievably lucky not to have an ISIS related attack here.
But why France? Why does do these attacks keep happening there?
Various reasons:
Highly radicalised population with a big population to act as a support base. Large number of criminal Islamic youth, land borders with other locations in Europe, history via Algeria and Tunisia in particular but large parts of the Middle East overall, some very severe legal and procedural restrictions on anti terrorism operations and tools, plus there has been a bleed of information that made its way to Islamists, and the basic unpredictability to stop every attack going.
The French intelligence services are no slouches, they already have a short list on this one.
Way back after Charlie Hebdo I posted on here on some shortcomings in the intelligence jigsaw picture in France that, if in place, accelerates knowledge with the ability to predict and take action. The UK is a bit better off but nowhere near enough to be complacent.
Operation largely complete at the theatre, two perpetrators dead. Civilian casualties unknown. They may have pulled off a decent job.
At least 39 dead in French terror attacks this evening. France has closed borders. US, UK, France fed ISIS. Not so funny now, is it?@wikileaks
More of a bell end than Gingrich
Yes about time he faced the music, meanwhile in the last half hour my twitter feed has had messages from Katie Price, Richard Branson, Donald Trump, Garry Kasparov, Jenson Button, Emma Watson, Piers Morgan, John McDonnell, Rio Ferdinand, Alexis Tsipras, Newt Gingrich, Justin Trudeau, Jack Whitehall, Ellen DeGeneres, Russell Crowe, John McCain, Angus Robertson, Arnold Schwarzanneger, Goldie Hawn and Danny Cipriani all on the same subject of the events in Paris. The one exception Paris Hilton who tweeted 'Love this glam by @EtienneOrtega! He is the best!'
Yes - but also fight back and defeat this evil. Not just endure it. Long past the time for us to stoically endure this evil. We need to hit back hard and defeat it. I'm not prepared to let European civilization go down without a fight.
Now now, keep a sense of perspective! This is a very nasty set of terrorist attacks, like the IRA bombings of the 70s and 80s, but it's not the end of civilisation.
Richard - this is nothing less than a clash of "civilizations" - to compare the current situation to the IRA is frankly laughable.
We might be better placed tomorrow to make such judgments.
Yes - but also fight back and defeat this evil. Not just endure it. Long past the time for us to stoically endure this evil. We need to hit back hard and defeat it. I'm not prepared to let European civilization go down without a fight.
Now now, keep a sense of perspective! This is a very nasty set of terrorist attacks, like the IRA bombings of the 70s and 80s, but it's not the end of civilisation.
This is substantially more deadly than anything the IRA did.
The IRA didn't go for the suicide option either. They weren't looking to get killed.
Richard They are killing the children of French parents tonight. They will be killing the children of British parents next on the streets of London. That's the prospective and that is why we have to band together , hunt these vermin down and eradicate them permanently.
I agree. When did I ever say otherwise? And we also need good intelligence, and as effective an anti-radicalisation programme as we can manage, and well-thought out and executed interventions in places like Syria and Iraq, and we need very good gun control (luckily we have that in the UK). That way we can reduce, though never eliminate, the risk.
In addition, the continental EU countries need to do something about border controls and Schengen - although I very much doubt if tonight's events are in any direct way related to the migrant crisis.
This is a huge attack. Multiple people, clearly a large network. How can this happen ?
It's concerning they could do this without being infiltrated by the security services or having their communications hacked.
On the basis of fhis let the intelligence services have every single thing they bloody well need.
I don't understand how objections would survive but they will, from the usual suspects.
Perhaps it would help if you realised that the French already have the snooping laws you are trying to support in the UK and it has made not a blind bit of difference. The French authorities have far more power over the population than we have in the UK and what good has that done them?
Well, none, because ultimately the problem isn't about how much snooping is going on, but the on-going mass immigration of people who not only don't integrate with us, but actively hate us.
Yes - but also fight back and defeat this evil. Not just endure it. Long past the time for us to stoically endure this evil. We need to hit back hard and defeat it. I'm not prepared to let European civilization go down without a fight.
Now now, keep a sense of perspective! This is a very nasty set of terrorist attacks, like the IRA bombings of the 70s and 80s, but it's not the end of civilisation.
This is substantially more deadly than anything the IRA did.
Worst single outrage during the Troubles was Omagh, 1998 - 29 dead.
Yes - but also fight back and defeat this evil. Not just endure it. Long past the time for us to stoically endure this evil. We need to hit back hard and defeat it. I'm not prepared to let European civilization go down without a fight.
Now now, keep a sense of perspective! This is a very nasty set of terrorist attacks, like the IRA bombings of the 70s and 80s, but it's not the end of civilisation.
This is substantially more deadly than anything the IRA did.
Worst single outrage during the Troubles was Omagh, 1998 - 29 dead.
That was one big bomb, wasn't it. I can't recall an IRA attack where multiple targets are hit simultaneously.
Richard - this is nothing less than a clash of "civilizations" - to compare the current situation to the IRA is frankly laughable.
The IRA were more sophisticated. They almost managed to bump off the UK government. They also lobbed mortars at No 10.
Look, I've been one of those arguing for us not to under-estimate the threat of terrorist attacks, arguing against people who have complacently said that the risk is not a big deal. But equally, we need to keep a sense of perspective. This is not the Blitz.
You are very, very naive - there is a global problem and has been for years.
I refuse to believe that ISIS will win this war. We simply can't let them, and if all the European countries + America unite together, I'm sure we can win this war.
Yes - but also fight back and defeat this evil. Not just endure it. Long past the time for us to stoically endure this evil. We need to hit back hard and defeat it. I'm not prepared to let European civilization go down without a fight.
Now now, keep a sense of perspective! This is a very nasty set of terrorist attacks, like the IRA bombings of the 70s and 80s, but it's not the end of civilisation.
This is substantially more deadly than anything the IRA did.
Worst single outrage during the Troubles was Omagh, 1998 - 29 dead.
That was one big bomb, wasn't it. I can't recall an IRA attack where multiple targets are hit simultaneously.
When they assassinated Lord Mountbatten they also killed a lot of British soldiers the same day in a separate incident is the one I recall.
Richard They are killing the children of French parents tonight. They will be killing the children of British parents next on the streets of London. That's the prospective and that is why we have to band together , hunt these vermin down and eradicate them permanently.
I agree. When did I ever say otherwise? And we also need good intelligence, and as effective an anti-radicalisation programme as we can manage, and well-thought out and executed interventions in places like Syria and Iraq, and we need very good gun control (luckily we have that in the UK). That way we can reduce, though never eliminate, the risk.
In addition, the continental EU countries need to do something about border controls and Schengen - although I very much doubt if tonight's events are in any direct way related to the migrant crisis.
You miss out the most important thing which is not to let into Europe people from war torn and extremist countries or from groups prone to extremism.
Can't find adequate words of sympathy for those caught up in this. I suspect every secular western democracy with a significant Islamic minority is destined to have major problems over the coming years. Sadly I can also see the far right rising in each of these countries as well as a reaction to the fear. Didn't it occur to any of our politicians that allowing the mass immigration of people with medieval, intolerant, mysoginist, homophobic and anti-western beliefs into our countries wasn't going to end well?
I think the UK, Canada and the USA will be okay. The BNP have completely disintegrated here for example. The problem is mainland European countries.
Our government (by and large) has a much better grip on the migration crisis than mainland European countries.
Comments
Very sad but will be a wake-up call to the European elite/wets who think that you can open the gates to millions of third world types and somehow not expect your country to become like the third world.
If European countries all had proper borders it would of course be far more difficult for terrorists and mass immigration to take place. Very simple.
Schengen could only work if the outer border of the zone was a proper border. Erm.
'Can't find adequate words of sympathy for those caught up in this. I suspect every secular western democracy with a significant Islamic minority is destined to have major problems over the coming years. Sadly I can also see the far right rising in each of these countries as well as a reaction to the fear. Didn't it occur to any of our politicians that allowing the mass immigration of people with medieval, intolerant, mysoginist, homophobic and anti-western beliefs into our countries wasn't going to end well? '
And Merkel has just invited another million + to come to Europe with zero security vetting.
.
Look, I've been one of those arguing for us not to under-estimate the threat of terrorist attacks, arguing against people who have complacently said that the risk is not a big deal. But equally, we need to keep a sense of perspective. This is not the Blitz.
Paris taxi drivers have turned off meters and are giving people rides home for free tonight reports @FRANCE24 . #ParisAttacks
11:30 PM - 13 Nov 2015
But I have no doubt that IS and those like them do hate and would like to destroy Western civilization, indeed any sort of civilization at all. What do you think the destruction of Palmyra is about, for instance? Or the attacks on Charlie Hebdo?
The sooner and the harder we fight back, the greater our chances of making sure this does not get any worse.
Paradoxically, the present atrocities may make it easier for the European public to defend their civilisation against the peaceful invasion.
However, I can see that there might be a practical problem, in that they've probably dismantled a lot of the organisation and physical facilities.
But why France? Why does do these attacks keep happening there?
However a frenchman tried to kill him during a 14th July parade at a time where there were rumours of a military coup to depose him, Hollande is very unpopular so many frenchmen wouldn't mind, but killing lots of innocent people just to get him is not in the style of french nationalist circles.
BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was "profoundly shocked" by a string of deadly attacks in Paris Friday that left at least 39 people dead.
"I am profoundly shocked by the news and images from Paris. At this time, my thoughts are with the victims of these apparently terrorist attacks, and with their families and all residents of Paris," Merkel said in a statement.
http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/profoundly-shocked-by-paris-terrorist-attacks-angela-merkel-1243228
Goodnight.
Let's hope no other is killed tonight.
At least 39 dead in French terror attacks this evening. France has closed borders. US, UK, France fed ISIS. Not so funny now, is it?@wikileaks
She is deeply shaken by the attacks. Sky news.
@esquire
UPDATE: French police are asking people to not report/tweet on the situation around Bataclan right now:
The Sun has changed its front page, the earlier flippant comment on the death by drone has gone.
I'll go with the thread header and just feel plain sickened and hope for the best for Paris and the French .
I'll leave all the frenzy making to others.
Thank you and goodnight.
They are killing the children of French parents tonight. They will be killing the children of British parents next on the streets of London. That's the prospective and that is why we have to band together , hunt these vermin down and eradicate them permanently.
Attackers killed in concert hall
The theatre terrorists have been killed apparently
Partybets were taking wagers on how many of his summer concerts would go ahead. IIRC, "No concerts" was available @ 7/2. It would have been a little rude not to...
I probably should be a little more careful moralising about John Rentoul's tweets in future.
Henry Samuel reports:
Quote
"Apocalypptic" scenes inside the Bataclan, where assailants attacked the crowd with grenades leaving many dead, say police. Two gunmen have been killed in police raid, but the death toll likely to rise steeply.
Sounds horrible.
Highly radicalised population with a big population to act as a support base. Large number of criminal Islamic youth, land borders with other locations in Europe, history via Algeria and Tunisia in particular but large parts of the Middle East overall, some very severe legal and procedural restrictions on anti terrorism operations and tools, plus there has been a bleed of information that made its way to Islamists, and the basic unpredictability to stop every attack going.
The French intelligence services are no slouches, they already have a short list on this one.
Way back after Charlie Hebdo I posted on here on some shortcomings in the intelligence jigsaw picture in France that, if in place, accelerates knowledge with the ability to predict and take action. The UK is a bit better off but nowhere near enough to be complacent.
Operation largely complete at the theatre, two perpetrators dead. Civilian casualties unknown. They may have pulled off a decent job.
In addition, the continental EU countries need to do something about border controls and Schengen - although I very much doubt if tonight's events are in any direct way related to the migrant crisis.
Still , like the troubles eh?
I can't believe it.
https://twitter.com/933theplanet/status/665317809405071360
You miss out the most important thing which is not to let into Europe people from war torn and extremist countries or from groups prone to extremism.