When the second world war began to turn against Germany Hitler, recognizing the symbolic power of Paris, gave an order that if the Germans were forced to retreat from Paris they should destroy the city on their way out. This directive was not carried out, but it points out the strong symbolism of Paris to civilization. Today France is the second most significant economy in Europe. Second only to Germany. In 1314 Jacques de Molay was burned on a scaffold across from Notre Dame on a small island in the Seine. de Molay was the last head of the Knights Templar and his death represented the end of that organization. The Knights Templar were the leading fighters in the Crusades. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_Templar It is thought that de Molay was executed largely because King Philip was deeply in debt to the Knights Templar and de Molay had become a thorn in his side that he no longer needed. The Crusades were a series of attempts by Christian Europeans to 'reclaim' the holy land from the Muslim control... but by the time of de Molay's death the Crusades were no longer a popular cause. http://www.history.com/topics/crusades It's estimated that about 2 million people died in the crusades. In Feb of this year Obama made a comparison between ISIS/Al-Qaida and the crusades and was roundly criticized for doing so. (mostly by the Christian right). The battle between European/Christian populations and Arab/Muslim populations has, despite the seemingly 'horrific' terrorist attacks in Paris, abated to relative insignificance. It has been rightly pointed out that civilization has advanced considerably since 1300 and mass slaughter is no longer considered a valid religious exercise... at least by most. There will be more such attacks as unemployed young Muslims try to find meaning in life via 'religiously' motivated murder/suicide. We probably can't kill them all... but we can try. When I am in the US I always carry a pistol for self defense. I always feel uncomfortable when I am in Europe because carrying a gun there is a big NO-NO. The French especially are critical of the US because of the ubiquity of guns here. I wonder how the people in Paris feel about the wisdom of carrying a gun this morning.
The French ambassadaor to the US, who happens to be gay, attacked Trump as lacking basic human decency for suggesting that strict gun controls prevents self defense. Actually he attacked Trump, the leading republican presidential candidate, with far harsher language than anyone in the French government has used against ISIS.
http://variety.com/2015/biz/news/donald-trump-paris-terror-attacks-guns-1201640791/ I don't know what is so 'repugnant'. If the state is not able to guarantee your safety absolutely 100% of the time I think the state must allow you to protect yourself. As the old saying goes... if you criminalize gun ownership then only criminals will have guns... which was the case in Paris . They just can't get over the fact that real life proves them wrong. It's interesting Donald was talking in Texas where gun ownership is virtually 100% Actually it's embarrassing for me to be on the same side as Trump... for the most part I think he is an idiot.
I have never been a big admirer of Trump, for all the obvious reasons. He is the only candidate who is credible on addressing illegal immigration however, which is such an important issue it makes the other issues pale into insignificance. Now we learn that Trump is also the biggest supprter of gun rights. In addition, he makes total sense on opposing ISIS but not getting ourselves into another middle east quagmire or having irrationally hostile relations with Russia. The fact the republican establishment despises and fears him only adds to the charm.
Plus tariffs against Chindia. Plus slashing taxes, regulation and shrinking the Federal bureaucracy. What's not to admire? The guy addresses 90% of the very real problems which threaten America today? Ya, he's a bit of a pompus windbag, but fuck it. We need balls and straight talk.
Not sure why you guys think Trump is an idiot. Probably life-long Republican Rhinos in this thread. Explains alot...