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9682. Wombat - 1/19/2015 6:03:01 AM It must be said that the US, as a nation of immigrants, has been far more successful at integrating new arrivals, even today. 9683. Wombat - 1/19/2015 6:12:25 AM Ms. No:
More egregious (and counterproductive) is describing terrorists as "crazy," "whacko," etc. They are about as crazy as the Japanese pilots who dove their aircraft into ships in WW2. They made choices and decisions that they saw as rational, given their experiences, social, cultural, and religious contexts.
I do not believe that we can divorce religious inspiration from their actions. While Islam can certainly be described as no better or worse than the other monotheistic faiths, there are strains that lend themselves to extremism (as in other religions), and some of their adherents may take it to what they see as the ultimate goal. 9684. arkymalarky - 1/19/2015 7:30:21 PM there's that, and then there's the troubled American who converted 6 months to a year ago and plots this kind of crap from that point forward like the man from Ohio. They're two different birds, and one is attaching itself to the other. There are also, as in France, national issues that impact the extremism. it's understandably very difficult to separate that all out, but if you look at the numbers, those mentally unstable "lone wolves" are not an insignificant part of the extremist terrorists--in the United States, anyway.
At least publicly, there's not enough attention on the internet aspect of all this, social networking etc that I know they're focusing on privately. I can't help but think that this wouldn't be the issue it is without it. Disenfranchised and disturbed people would act as such, but without attaching to Islam. Not a suggestion that something should be done on that front other than what's already happening, just an observation. 9685. robertjayb - 2/6/2015 4:15:20 PM Where are we going?
President Obama is expected to formally ask Congress to authorize the use of military force against the Islamic State terror group in the coming days, even as lawmakers said crafting and passing such a measure would be a challenge.
The U.S. has been carrying out airstrikes against the terrorists, most commonly known as ISIS, in Iraq and Syria since August and September, respectively. In doing so, Obama has been relying on congressional authorizations that President George W. Bush used to justify military action after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Critics have called the White House's use of post-9/11 congressional authorizations a legal stretch, though Obama has previously argued that a new authorization isn't legally necessary.
(Fox News) 9686. robertjayb - 2/6/2015 4:29:43 PM Please not war, not "war" war...
I do think the U.S. should take a hand in this horror. But not some replay of the self-serving Bush/Cheney (et al.) disasters.
These villains should be dealt with as criminals as we should have dealt with the 9/11 murderers. We are a rich, rich country and can always print more money. Put our many spooks to work scouring the globe for the baddest, meanest motherfuckers that can be hired. Pay them extravagantly, equip them well, and give them the best intelligence possible. Then have them go Keyser Soze on these loonies. Kill them, their families, their associates, their friends an neighbors.
I read of a Jordanian using the word exterminate. Exactly.
Take a page from (but don't dare involve them) the Israelis response to the Munich Olympics massacre in '72. Multiplied many times over. Track 'em down and kill 'em. Too bad we don't seem to have anyone around now with the balls of Golda Meir. 9687. iiibbb - 2/6/2015 5:20:38 PM Take a page of Isreal?
Didn't they assassinate the wrong people on at least one occasion, and paid little attention to anyone standing near their targets?
That'd be great. 9688. arkymalarky - 2/6/2015 7:13:43 PM Will there ever be a Kurdish nation? 9689. robertjayb - 2/6/2015 8:11:02 PM Shit happens. Collateral damage.
Today: BEIRUT (AP) — A purported statement by the Islamic State group claimed that an American female hostage was killed in a Jordanian airstrike on Friday on the outskirts of the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, the militant group's main stronghold. 9690. Trillium - 2/17/2015 2:50:22 AM The Atlantic on Islamic State 9691. arkymalarky - 7/6/2015 11:11:38 PM Hey Judith, what are your Greek friends thinking about the vote? 9692. RickNelson - 7/10/2015 1:39:23 PM I suggest the Greeks keep their 'no' attitude, negotiate out of severe austerity, and into realistic recovery.
There are too many doom and gloom attitudes. Krugman has remained realistic. 9693. judithathome - 7/10/2015 6:44:15 PM My Greek friends are agreeing with Rick!
Simon said they sit out on their balcony and are seeing people scrounging through the trash bins...and the ATMs have lines around the block.
Of course, they are not worried because they are on his Air Force retirement (and bank through an American bank) and already own their condo. So they are not going to be in dire straits. She is Greek and came with money and property...heh.
He speaks fluent Greek so he's out talking to people on the streets...he looks Greek, too...ha! But he's a good conduit to what's going on because he can listen to and understand the news there and he's not dependent on the American interpretations.
I'll post his next email on the subject! 9694. judithathome - 7/10/2015 6:53:44 PM He's one he sent the other day; I seem to have deleted the one about the garbage bins :-(
Well guys it has started, the finance minister has resigned because the Euro Group does not want him on the negotiating table. The NO vote will cause many problems for Greece in negotiations.
The banks are to remain closed until who knows when or the ECB provides funds. There is no money and the population does not want to live on their knees to lenders who want more austerity for their loans. The Euro group does not trust Greece to implement reforms so they refuse loans.
It could get nasty politically but we wait and see. They are a very proud people; a man at the ATM said “ I would rather eat trash than live on my knees. Drachma come on”
Keep you posted! 9695. arkymalarky - 7/10/2015 8:20:39 PM Wow! Very insightful! Sounds like they're preparing to ride this wave however how it goes and long it lasts. That's a good thing for them. 9696. judithathome - 7/12/2015 5:39:38 PM Update from Simon:
Hey guys! Well, its crunch time for Greece. Today will be the day that a decision is made. The Europeans are set to kick Greece out of the union or lend them more money. The banks are closed except for ATM’s and cash is the main way of shopping for Greeks. Tourism has taken a beating as many people are passing Greece because of the situation.
Though the situation is critical, the buses to the local beachs in Athens are packed. You would not think there is a problem. We will see Monday morning what will happen……….
9697. judithathome - 8/9/2015 9:05:09 PM Oh well... 9698. judithathome - 8/9/2015 9:05:30 PM ...what... 9699. judithathome - 8/9/2015 9:05:43 PM the 9700. judithathome - 8/9/2015 9:06:00 PM hell! 9701. arkymalarky - 8/9/2015 9:45:04 PM Yay Judith!!!
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