I agree that the world is less violent than it has ever been. I also agree that the US and allies were mistaken in their zeal to remove the oppressive dictators who at least controlled the fringe elements of their world. Fringe elements that have thrived and grown powerful in an environment that was meant to be democratic. But the goal of the Islamic State is apocalyptic. Armageddon and world domination is their historical and oft-stated goal. They are a real and constant danger, and ignoring the threat won't make it go away.
Paul via phone > On Nov 15, 2015, at 11:54 AM, ann sanfedele <ann...@nyc.rr.com> wrote: > > Eloquently put... I suspect Godder's "question" was rhetorical, but you knew > that > > ann > >> On 11/15/2015 10:08 AM, knarf wrote: >> I've typed and re-typed several responses to this, Godfrey. I think I'll >> send this one, regarding your question about whether this violence will ever >> stop. >> >> These sorts of horrific events cause a lot of soul - searching and looking >> for answers. Unfortunately, in these modern times, these contemplations >> occur with dismal frequency. >> >> I'm going to preface what I say by stating that ~apparently~ we live in one >> of the least violent times in the history of the world. It sure doesn't feel >> that way, but statistics indicate that. Small consolation to the victims in >> Paris or Tel Aviv or Baghdad, I know... >> >> Cheap, easily - obtained weapons. Combatants who have nothing to lose and >> are more than prepared to kill themselves for their cause. Very heavily >> armed, militarized nation-states. All of this and more almost ensure that >> these events will continue to occur. Add to that groups who feel that >> they've been oppressed for decades or centuries and the mix is lethal. >> >> And of course what's going on in the Middle East and how The West is >> handling it increase the inevitability that the violence will spill over >> into Europe and North America. Ironic that Hollande screams that the Friday >> the 13th attacks were "an act of war" when in fact France is engaging in >> warlike behaviour in Iraq. >> >> Over 17,000 civilians died in Iraq last year. At least 1,700 died as a >> result of International Coalition or Iraqi Air Force air strikes. Another >> 10,000 died from unidentified combatants. >> >> Is it any wonder ISIS is leaving "calling cards" on home soil of those they >> see as combatants in their homeland? I'm neither condoning nor justifying >> these heinous atrocities, but they're hardly surprising. >> >> Wars are going on all over the world. Innocent civilians are dying daily (50 >> of them in Iraq on Friday, for instance). We, insulated in the comfort of >> the affluent West, don't bat an eyelash. We don't even notice. But when the >> violence hits "our" shores it's the end of the world. >> >> These things are going to keep happening. The change required to stop them >> will never happen (see above re: heavily armed nation-states - that includes >> the militarization of police forces). Even if radical change does occur, >> these events might continue. Maybe it's just human nature. Combined with >> cheap weapons. >> >> But we're living in the least violent time in human history... >> >> Regards, >> >> frank >> >> >> >> >> >>> On November 14, 2015 5:29:15 PM EST, Godfrey DiGiorgi <godd...@me.com> >>> wrote: >>> Indeed. >>> >>> I think of this with the same feelings of sadness, outrage, and horror >>> that comes to mind when I hear of trouble in and near Tel Aviv, >>> worrying for Boris and his family. >>> >>> Can we not stop these atrocities? A century of senseless violence and >>> horror behind us... Is there another one to come? What will it take to >>> put an end to it all? >>> >>> I grieve. >>> >>> G >>> >>>>> On Nov 14, 2015, at 1:36 PM, Brian Walters <supera1...@fastmail.fm> >>>> wrote: >>>> Mike Johnston's piece today is quite simple and eloquent, I thought: >>> http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2015/11/to-our-friends.html >>>>> On Sun, Nov 15, 2015, at 02:01 AM, Daniel J. Matyola wrote: >>> http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/gateway/france/fr_1x._V288659243_.png > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
