R.I.P.s

[Mike from Boston]

firehazard, I respect your opinion and I think my use of "religion of peace" was out of anger, not thought.

You are right about religions and past crimes, but the thing that scares me, is that fact that these extremists comprise a large and powerful subset of the religion. The most extreme brand already ran one country (Afghanistan) and now you have ISIS which is acting like a defacto country in some uncontrolled areas of the Mid-East. They have power, money, military training and with the Internet-the ability to recruit worldwide-they are not just getting "stupid poor kids" but people like Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani scientist with a Masters and PHD from MIT/Brandeis (she worked in the building across the street from me!).

I don't see any abatement to the continued attacks on the West, which does scare me. Unlike past terror groups, that aren't limited in scope or numbers.

BTW you are alright for being a "commie pinko"

[Low D]

Up the pinkos!

[Low D]

You are right about religions and past crimes, but the thing that scares me, is that fact that these extremists comprise a large and powerful subset of the religion. The most extreme brand already ran one country (Afghanistan) and now you have ISIS which is acting like a defacto country in some uncontrolled areas of the Mid-East. They have power, money, military training

It is important to remember that we (that's the royal we, the nations of " the west") have played a huge role in giving the worst of these movements the power, the money and military training. The CIA's operation in Afghanistan was their most expensive ever, and led DIRECTLY to the rise of the Taliban, who were preferred by the CIA to the commie pinkos backed by the USSR. This went into the 1990s. France's banks are full of money from stolen resources from Muslim territories they colonized, while immigrants from those same territories are treated like 2nd class citizens - their war with Algeria only ended in 1968.

These conflicts are the real, living result of our colonial histories. There are those who - sincerely or cynically - would turn this all into a religious war. It's up to all of us to reject this, and one of the most powerful tools will be alliances built with religious communities.

[Mike from Boston]

Alright, back to the regular obits:

Forget to mention Elly May Clampett aka Donna Douglas, 82 of Beverly Hillbillies fame. Also made an Elvis movie. Died New Years Day.

J.P. Parise, 73 NHL Player with primarily the North Stars and Islanders. Played in the 1972 Summit Series for Canada vs. the USSR.
Father of Zach Parise of the Minnesota Wild.

[Pogues to Niagara]

J.P. Parise took on those commie pinkos in game 8 1972! ☺
RIP J.P.

[Mike from Boston]

J.P. Parise took on those commie pinkos in game 8 1972! ☺
RIP J.P.

I have a great memory of that game (enhanced by Youtube). The Russians were doing everything to steal the game from Canada. J.P got called for a penalty-clearly a dive by the commie, and then proceeded to go after the ref and threatened to de-capitate him. Canada was pretty fired up after.

Paul Henderson was the hero of the series, but the line with Espo and J.P was amazing. Being a Bruins fan, I obviously was a big fan of Espo, but he carried Canada with his leadership and play. Showed he was a great player even without Orr.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE1QaGAohO4

[Low D]

Ugh, added to the deaths of 12 people at Charlie Hebdo, plus a third police officer, are now four hostages. The three hostage takers/gunmen are also reported dead. A total of 17 deaths, and this is early reports still.

A terrible week for France, and humanity.

[Mike from Boston]

Ugh, added to the deaths of 12 people at Charlie Hebdo, plus a third police officer, are now four hostages. The three hostage takers/gunmen are also reported dead. A total of 17 deaths, and this is early reports still.

A terrible week for France, and humanity.

It is also believed the terrorist who took the Kosher grocery store today is also responsible for the death of a French Policewoman yesterday.

[Low D]

Ugh, added to the deaths of 12 people at Charlie Hebdo, plus a third police officer, are now four hostages. The three hostage takers/gunmen are also reported dead. A total of 17 deaths, and this is early reports still.

A terrible week for France, and humanity.

It is also believed the terrorist who took the Kosher grocery store today is also responsible for the death of a French Policewoman yesterday.

Yes, the total is currently up to 20 (including the perpetrators). This reminds me of a patch we produced of this great graphic in the lead up to Gulf War II:

"Who Would Jesus Bomb?"

Need to come up with a Muslim equivalent.

[Low D]

Andrae Crouch, a legendary gospel performer, songwriter and choir director whose work graced songs by Michael Jackson and Madonna and movies such as The Lion King, has died. He was 72.

[DzM]

Yes, the total is currently up to 20 (including the perpetrators). This reminds me of a patch we produced of this great graphic in the lead up to Gulf War II:

"Who Would Jesus Bomb?"

Need to come up with a Muslim equivalent.

A cartoon Charlie Hebdo published a few years back might be appropriate: A cartoon of Mohammed with the caption "It’s Hard Being Loved by Jerks."



Also of note:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/mankin ... d-i,37728/

PARIS—In the wake of this week’s terrorist attacks on French newspaper Charlie Hebdo and two ensuing armed standoffs that together left over a dozen innocent civilians dead, humankind admitted Friday that it is sick and tired of having to perpetually remind itself of the good that exists in the world. “God, it seems like every day I have to force myself to look past some new episode of violence or hatred somewhere and convince myself that, deep down, human beings are good—honestly, it’s exhausting,” said U.S. resident Elizabeth O’Connor, echoing the precise sentiments of the whole of the human race, every one of whom sighed aloud today, gritted their teeth, and though disheartened, compelled themselves to once again bring to mind examples of human love and kindness just to make it through another day. “Ultimately, I know that the amount of life-affirming and compassionate qualities in this world far outweigh all the senseless brutality and horror, but frankly I’m just so, so fed up with having to assure myself of that every few hours. It’s taking up way too much of my time.” At press time, sources confirmed that the entirety of humanity had moved on to the equally tiresome process of reminding themselves to be grateful for every moment they have in this life and to cherish their family and loved ones.

[je suis Charlie]

It is important to remember that we (that's the royal we, the nations of " the west") have played a huge role in giving the worst of these movements the power, the money and military training. The CIA's operation in Afghanistan was their most expensive ever, and led DIRECTLY to the rise of the Taliban, who were preferred by the CIA to the commie pinkos backed by the USSR. This went into the 1990s. France's banks are full of money from stolen resources from Muslim territories they colonized, while immigrants from those same territories are treated like 2nd class citizens - their war with Algeria only ended in 1968. These conflicts are the real, living result of our colonial histories. There are those who - sincerely or cynically - would turn this all into a religious war. It's up to all of us to reject this, and one of the most powerful tools will be alliances built with religious communities.

i don't know if the press conference of Merabet's family is somewhere on line and translate, but I hope so ...
Ahmed Merabet was the immigrant, muslim, policeman who have been killed on the street after Charlie Hebdo's attack.
those killers have no excuses, and overall not the one you give to them.

[firehazard]

It is important to remember that we (that's the royal we, the nations of " the west") have played a huge role in giving the worst of these movements the power, the money and military training. The CIA's operation in Afghanistan was their most expensive ever, and led DIRECTLY to the rise of the Taliban, who were preferred by the CIA to the commie pinkos backed by the USSR. This went into the 1990s. France's banks are full of money from stolen resources from Muslim territories they colonized, while immigrants from those same territories are treated like 2nd class citizens - their war with Algeria only ended in 1968. These conflicts are the real, living result of our colonial histories. There are those who - sincerely or cynically - would turn this all into a religious war. It's up to all of us to reject this, and one of the most powerful tools will be alliances built with religious communities.

i don't know if the press conference of Merabet's family is somewhere on line and translate, but I hope so ...
Ahmed Merabet was the immigrant, muslim, policeman who have been killed on the street after Charlie Hebdo's attack.
those killers have no excuses, and overall not the one you give to them.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2015/jan/10/charlie-hebdo-victims-family-france-paris-ahmed-merabet-video

"One must not confuse extremists with Muslims. Mad people have neither colour nor religion."

[Low D]

It is important to remember that we (that's the royal we, the nations of " the west") have played a huge role in giving the worst of these movements the power, the money and military training. The CIA's operation in Afghanistan was their most expensive ever, and led DIRECTLY to the rise of the Taliban, who were preferred by the CIA to the commie pinkos backed by the USSR. This went into the 1990s. France's banks are full of money from stolen resources from Muslim territories they colonized, while immigrants from those same territories are treated like 2nd class citizens - their war with Algeria only ended in 1968. These conflicts are the real, living result of our colonial histories. There are those who - sincerely or cynically - would turn this all into a religious war. It's up to all of us to reject this, and one of the most powerful tools will be alliances built with religious communities.

i don't know if the press conference of Merabet's family is somewhere on line and translate, but I hope so ...
Ahmed Merabet was the immigrant, muslim, policeman who have been killed on the street after Charlie Hebdo's attack.
those killers have no excuses, and overall not the one you give to them.

I was certainly not making excuses for them. However, if one remembers the 2005 riots in Paris, for example, it should be noted that there is a huge problem of race, class & colonialism at play in this conflict in France. Religious zealots, crazy killers, etc, are always ready to sweep in and use those conflicts to justify their own agendas. I was just encouraging a distinction. These fuckers would like nothing more than for everyone to believe this is about religion, that it is an immutable eternal conflict.

Much like, for example, how much was made of the Protestant/Catholic divide in regards to Ireland's "troubles", which were never in fact a religious conflict, but rather a result of hundreds of years of colonial occupation.

One would hope this could be a galvanizing moment in French history, where they begin to tackle these other problems, taking the wind out of the sails of these zealots.

[Guest]

However, if one remembers the 2005 riots in Paris, for example, it should be noted that there is a huge problem of race, class & colonialism at play in this conflict in France.

no, i disagree with that. No education and laxity (if that's the good word) is the real problem.