Paris attacks

[Lawrence]

I'm changing my flag to support the 3 days of mourning in France.  Should members wish to join me they will find it at http://www.gifs.net/Animation11/Geography_and_History/International_Flags/france.gif

I could point a lot of fingers at all to liberal (scared to offend) attitudes being at the root of all this, or poor leadership decisions but I will only get told off by Caz, so I wont mention any of those things.

Share the flag, share the sorrow, strength in solidarity

[Geoff]

Thanks for the link Lawrence.

[red_death]

Sorry folks but all this talk of liberal tendencies etc is exactly what the terrorists want. I feel pretty ashamed that the model railway community is so intolerant.

[Graham Walters]

I hate to say this, but you are all doing what the terrorists want.

The only way to put a halt to this is have  news blackout, just like we did with the IRA, don't give them the airtime they crave.

[NTrain]

There is a danger, in the aftermath of any extremist attack, for people to hit out at those who are different, simply for being different. This is a human trait.

However, the words that are put out through social media, or forums, written without thought, in the heat of the moment, can easily become an extremist view. THINK, lest you become the extremist you are decrying.

We are all human being, living upon this planet Earth, and should all respect one another's views and differences.

I would urge anyone to think before they say anything, or do anything. This goes for world leaders, as well as anyone else.

You do not fight extremist views with extreme measures. You fight them with unity and common cause. The way forward is in calm planned responses.

Ware the way of angry, unthinking responses, lest ye become them.

[NeMo]

We are all human being, living upon this planet Earth, and should all respect one another's views and differences.

Honestly, I don't think this is true. I think you need to be more selective. You need to judge which views and differences are deserving of respect, and which ones aren't.

Some people put the milk in before pouring the tea. Others put the tea in, then they pour in the milk. Both these points of view can be respected because the difference doesn't matter. But if someone told me that the best way to make tea is to warm the teapot in the blood of a freshly killed baby, I'd have trouble accepting that. It isn't a point of view I can respect because it causing suffering for no good purpose.

The problem with the mantra "respect everyone and everything" is that it accords all points of view equal merit. But if some points of view are intrinsically unacceptable, then it's up to the individual to decide which they respect and which they reject.

My example above is deliberately clear cut. Obviously the real world is more nuanced than that, particularly where we're comparing national cultures, political systems and religious beliefs. But you do need to decide if the liberal western democracies we enjoy in the Western world is better than the alternative offered by the Islamic world.

If you simply say, "respect them all", then that's fine, but do understand that radicalised elements in most Islamic countries and states aren't going to suddenly vanish, any more than greedy capitalists are going to disappear from the Western democracies. They're both intrinsic to the system. Different edges of their societies, but persistent and to some degree produced by them by taking the underlying culture to a logical, if unappealing, conclusion.

Cheers, NeMo

[NTrain]

"You fight them with unity and common cause. The way forward is in calm planned responses."

Do not mistake a call for a calm response to be a call for no response.

[Bealman]

[mod]Folks let's just keep this thread as expressions of support, and not turn it into a discussion on how to deal with it. I really think that as railway modellers, we are not qualified in the arena. Plus, I would like to remind folk that we are a model railway forum.[/mod]

[NeMo]

Peter Hitchens in the 'Mail' -- "Really want to beat terror? Then calm down and THINK". I'd say surprisingly good read but Hitchens always writes well, and thoughtfully, even when I don't agree with him.

"Could we please skip the empty bravado? This is a time for grief above all else, and a time to refrain from soundbites and posturing. France – our closest neighbour, oldest friend, beloved rival, what Philip Sidney called 'that sweet enemy' – France is stricken, and we should weep with her."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-3318980/PETER-HITCHENS-Really-want-beat-terror-calm-THINK.html

Cheers, NeMo

[Pengi]

"Could we please skip the empty bravado? This is a time for grief above all else, and a time to refrain from soundbites and posturing. France – our closest neighbour, oldest friend, beloved rival, what Philip Sidney called 'that sweet enemy' – France is stricken, and we should weep with her."

Could not have put it better myself

[jonclox]

"Could we please skip the empty bravado? This is a time for grief above all else, and a time to refrain from soundbites and posturing. France – our closest neighbour, oldest friend, beloved rival, what Philip Sidney called 'that sweet enemy' – France is stricken, and we should weep with her."

Could not have put it better myself

Ditto

[Newportnobby]

Sorry, but this forum is not the place to discuss politics and/or religion - as stated in the Code of Conduct we've all agreed to.

I have my own opinions on what has occurred in Paris and elsewhere in the world but I know this is not the place for anything but sympathy for innocents.
Nuff said.

[Sprintex]

Sorry, but this forum is not the place to discuss politics and/or religion - as stated in the Code of Conduct we've all agreed to.

I have my own opinions on what has occurred in Paris and elsewhere in the world but I know this is not the place for anything but sympathy for innocents.
Nuff said.

Precisely. Code of Conduct states "Political or Religious comment are banned" and for good reason. Keep it to expressions of sympathy please, anyone who insists on trying to discuss the political/religious elements of this tragedy risks having their account suspended or removed.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.


Paul

[Pengi]

[mod] From our code of conduct

• Political or Religious comment are banned
• Do not deliberately make contentious or argumentative posts. The forum is not Speakers Corner and the forum rules apply to maintain a convivial atmosphere. Flagrant breach will result in suspension from the forum and possibly a ban

[/mod]

[marco neri]

Fraternitè with France and Francais (our cousins).....

I only hope you will not support us..in their delirious messages , terrorists said next target will be Rome....and we are going to the Special Jubilee declared from Pope Francesco......million of christian pilgrims will arrive in the Capital..
Mmm...is not a good moment..