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VLC contributor living in Aleppo writing about the Paris attacks

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Re: VLC contributor living in Aleppo writing about the Paris attacks

#41

Post by omginternets »

I'm living in Paris. I heard gunfire from my apartment. My heart goes out to Salah-Eddin, and all people living in the shadow of unspeakable abominations. It saddens me to imagine that simply hearing gunfire in the distance is nothing compared to what my fellow man has witnessed elsewhere.

Salah-Eddin's condolences mean a lot to me and I wish him all the best. It's my sincerest hope that French troops will be deployed to Syria in the near future, and that such an action will prove useful in protecting him, his family, his neighbors and his culture.

For what it's worth, I've submitted an application to be a reservist in the French army. It's one month of training and 30 days of active duty per year. I sincerely hope my small effort will be helpful not only because it puts another man in the Parisian battlefield (yes... that's sadly what it has become), but also because it allows a better-qualified soldier to (hopefully) deploy to the Middle East.

I don't presume to know whether or not my action is helpful, but I sincerely hope it is. I'm already quite busy with my dissertation defense coming up in a few short months, but this can do, so I will.

I suppose I needed to get that off my chest as well...

Re: VLC contributor living in Aleppo writing about the Paris attacks

#42

Post by seivan »

mtgx wrote: post #39
jacquesm wrote: post #6

> They control large areas of land, have their own oil fields, and receive direct support from many countries in the region. Namely from rich oil-producing countries. That's one of those things where we could make a fairly immediate change in policy, it would come at a cost, definitely but it would change the situation for IS for the worse far more effectively than any number of bombs dropped would do.

I wouldn't be surprised if many closely-tied to Saudi leadership are behind funding of ISIS. Saudia Arabia seems to care more about taking down Assad. And the US keeps aiding and supporting Saudi Arabia - because oil. Something's gotta give. And while they're at it, maybe declassify those post-9/11 Saudi-related documents.

The US doesn't need Saudi oil as bad today which is why you're getting buddy buddy with the Shia-Jihadis. Also known as Iran.

But don't worry, when they say Death to America. They don't mean you ;-)

Not sure if Saudi leadership is behind funding ISIS, but yeah a lot of Saudis involved.

Re: VLC contributor living in Aleppo writing about the Paris attacks

#43

Post by jacquesm »

ousta wrote: post #34
jacquesm wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It doesn't matter to me what the other side of a conflict does, what matters to me is what my side of a conflict does. The fact that we don't descend to the level of our opponents gives us at least a moral edge, and it might even give us a real edge in the longer run. The moral high ground is one that you give up at your peril. Not that the Catholic church in particular has much moral high ground left but at least th…

the thing your kind of people (which is the majority of people in the western world) will never understand is that barbary will always win against democracy. It is by saying sorry, teaching to people that you opressed them, enslaved them, telling them that they are a minority living with less chances and opportunities than a random "white man" well those same people will hate you for this, they will always see you as…

> This is a war of civilisations and way of life. and trust me. the peaceful one, the one that always say sorry for everything is not going to win.

As long as you see the world in terms of 'your kind of people' and 'my kind of people' you are to some degree part of the problem. This is not a war of 'civilizations', though it could very well turn into one if we lose our calm.

Unfortunately, given the technological edge and the willingness to defend 'my kind of people' will eventually - reluctantly, hopefully - switch to a different mode which will make the crusades look like a picnic outing. The problem is that IS and company are waking something up that they have absolutely no way to deal with and it would be far better for everybody involved if this did not come to pass.

But with the number of people clamoring to have this out by the bikeshed it may already be too late. Until then 'our kind of people' should do their best to derail this conflict before it becomes mass-murder/civil war on an unprecedented scale and to find another solution.

Re: VLC contributor living in Aleppo writing about the Paris attacks

#44

Post by kgwgk »

jacquesm wrote: post #6

> They control large areas of land, have their own oil fields, and receive direct support from many countries in the region. Namely from rich oil-producing countries. That's one of those things where we could make a fairly immediate change in policy, it would come at a cost, definitely but it would change the situation for IS for the worse far more effectively than any number of bombs dropped would do.

What kind of policy changes are you thinking of? And who would be the target? Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have participated in (or at least supported) the airstrikes started in Sep 2014 against Daesh. Officially, the usual suspects are actively opposing Daesh.

Re: VLC contributor living in Aleppo writing about the Paris attacks

#45

Post by seivan »

omginternets wrote: post #41

I'm living in Paris. I heard gunfire from my apartment. My heart goes out to Salah-Eddin, and all people living in the shadow of unspeakable abominations. It saddens me to imagine that simply hearing gunfire in the distance is nothing compared to what my fellow man has witnessed elsewhere. Salah-Eddin's condolences mean a lot to me and I wish him all the best. It's my sincerest hope that French troops will be deploye…

Good luck in the Army! The Middle East doesn't need more foreign bodybags (good or bad guys) but support, training and equipment. Last I checked they are begging for armor and winter gear.

Re: VLC contributor living in Aleppo writing about the Paris attacks

#46

Post by seivan »

ousta wrote: post #34
jacquesm wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It doesn't matter to me what the other side of a conflict does, what matters to me is what my side of a conflict does. The fact that we don't descend to the level of our opponents gives us at least a moral edge, and it might even give us a real edge in the longer run. The moral high ground is one that you give up at your peril. Not that the Catholic church in particular has much moral high ground left but at least th…

the thing your kind of people (which is the majority of people in the western world) will never understand is that barbary will always win against democracy. It is by saying sorry, teaching to people that you opressed them, enslaved them, telling them that they are a minority living with less chances and opportunities than a random "white man" well those same people will hate you for this, they will always see you as…

I agree with you. I my family and I also grew up in an islamic enclave. We saw the hell it caused. Pretty much all ex-muslims by now. People like the parent will never understand and will keep insinuating you're racist and they are brilliantly anti-racist. I am going to ask you to give up.

Re: VLC contributor living in Aleppo writing about the Paris attacks

#47

Post by [deleted] »

iamthepieman wrote: post #37

I work with a Muslim and I'm a Christian. Since we are both very conservative, I actually have more in common with him than with my secular coworkers and friends. Unfortunately we both work remotely and live several hundred miles from each other. I think we could be good friends if we lived closer. One thing I have learned talking with my Muslim coworker is that, just like in Christianity, there are many divisions an…

[deleted]

Re: VLC contributor living in Aleppo writing about the Paris attacks

#48

Post by jacquesm »

bduerst wrote: post #35
jacquesm wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's fairly easy to write in an air conditioned office somewhere in the west, but it was a pretty brave thing to do this right in the middle of the action.

Nobody said it's easy. I'm sitting in Paris right now, and it reflects the attitude of many of the citizens here. I know shop owners that stayed open over the weekend in defiance of what the terrorists were aiming to achieve.

I would expect no less from the French, they've always been remarkably steadfast in their convictions, both on the political stage and in their internal politics. Here's to hoping that they will be able to maintain this level of resolve for the future.

Re: VLC contributor living in Aleppo writing about the Paris attacks

#49

Post by jacquesm »

seivan wrote: post #46
ousta wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

the thing your kind of people (which is the majority of people in the western world) will never understand is that barbary will always win against democracy. It is by saying sorry, teaching to people that you opressed them, enslaved them, telling them that they are a minority living with less chances and opportunities than a random "white man" well those same people will hate you for this, they will always see you as…

I agree with you. I my family and I also grew up in an islamic enclave. We saw the hell it caused. Pretty much all ex-muslims by now. People like the parent will never understand and will keep insinuating you're racist and they are brilliantly anti-racist. I am going to ask you to give up.

> People like the parent will never understand and will keep insinuating you're racist and they are brilliantly anti-racist.

I'm not insinuating he's racist, do not put words in my mouth.

Re: VLC contributor living in Aleppo writing about the Paris attacks

#50

Post by NicoJuicy »

This text could be kinda direct, but it's what i think could help to get a "solution" or more efficient approach to eliminate IS.

- Bomb the oil fields, forget about politics/economics , don't let IS grow. Just take away their primary income so they'll internally bleed out... The people who come from Europe woudn't like it there if they don't receive any money.

- Track down the big import behaviour of Western Products ( Red Bull, Nutella, Hummers, ... ) that IS terrorists love. Elimnate the import of it. They don't want Western products, no problem. Cut them off the economy and black market as quick as possible.

- Make it illegal to buy black market oil from IS, track down people who want to have some quick money.

- Invest in rebels that attack IS on the ground ( some people from France and the UK voluntarely go there)

- If there is any proof of Middle East supports IS. Then take economic sanctions. Work together with Russia, America, Europe and China. Invest in oil alternatives FAST

- Put a website online www.worldagainstterrorisme.com where there are a couple of big sections:

- SnitchTerrrorists, to report abnormal behaviour. Make it so that you can see which ethicity/religion has reported them. So people would realize that muslims don't support extremist behaviour

- LiveTarget, witch the cooperation of America, an online live sattelite map that limits to Syria and the part that IS controls. Limit the visibility of known friendly groups ( eg. masking / using older images when a friendly plane crosses the land). So people in the world can unite and track down extremist behaviour in the IS country. Make it easy to report suspicious behaviour and you can bomb the hell out of them as soon as they get out of their building with the help of the community.

- The media should make fun with IS instead of addressing them as the big enemy. Make fun with the people who go there, target them as dumb ( if they had bad grades, ...) and change the public perspective for people who are compelled to go there because they hate where they live / feel discriminated because of social community problems

- I have another idea, but that is morely to protect western nations. That should be hidden from public eye ;) - contact me if you would like to know :P

Edit: If you're down voting at least make a comment please, Eg. how you think states/nations can handle it "better"

My proposition are for the following intentions: less generalisation and less racisme ( not every muslim is IS! ), more public effort to help ( snitching extremists, finding IS members in their home country, ...), lessen the media appeal of IS for people with non-western feelings - living in Europe because of social problems in a country / community / city, ...

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