The Paris Attacks (and - I'm Back!)

I'm back!  I've been unable to access my Blog and my Facebook this last while because of a major computer booboo.  Our main computer was toast.  We now have a new computer and we're gradually getting everything up and running again.

I am most distressed about the weekend terrorist attacks in Paris!  Cowards attempted to kill thousands of innocent Parisians along with many tourists out for a pleasant Friday evening in the "City of Lights".  We now find out they were only partially successful!

Security personnel stopped one terrorist as he tried to enter a soccer stadium with over 50,000 spectators present!  When discovered, the coward blew himself up at the entrance.

Others escaped through the back door of a theatre under siege, saving their lives.  Over 100 others in the theatre were not so fortunate! 

This kind of terrorism is abhorrent!  The world must unite to stop it!  Here's what I think we as Canadians need to do;

• Convince Prime Minister Trudeau to slow down his plan to bring in 25,000 Syrian refugees into Canada over the next six weeks.  Reports are saying that one of the terrorists in Paris arrived in France disguised as a Syrian refugee. Canada should send temporary relief to the refugee camps now, then bring in the refugees only after they have been thoroughly checked out by our security systems here. 
• Convince Prime Minister Trudeau to leave our small RCAF contingent in Iraq to continue their fight with ISIS who have now claimed responsibility for the terrorism in Paris.  I think pulling them out now would be seen as a sign of cowardice.
• Support groups trying to help refugees settle here in Canada.  After all, most of us are descendants of others looking for a better and peaceful life here in Canada.  Now it's time to pass it on!
• Show our support for the people of France through this horrible time in their history in any way we can.
• We must realise that these cowards who declared war on France Friday represent only a very, very small percentage of Muslims and/or Syrians.  We must always keep that in mind!

Je Suis Charlie

I have just watched the news about the massacre of French journalists in Paris, yesterday morning.  I understand that ten journalists and two police officers were shot and killed by a terrorist group.   The magazine Charlie Hebdo, a satirical journal, was the target.

The motive is not totally clear because that particular publication satirizes almost everyone, but the assassins were heard yelling phrases associated with Islam.   Apparently some small radical Islamic group took exception to the magazine satirizing their religion.

I've always considered myself a minor player in the world of journalism.  I've actively written for magazines and newspapers for more than forty years.  Freedoms I hold most dear are the freedom of speech  and the freedom of the press.  Both of those freedoms took a severe beating in Paris on Wednesday.

But those two freedoms will survive and thrive!  They must!

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who lost their lives in Paris.  They must know that everyone involved in journalism around the world is united to protect those two fundamental rights so important to us all.

Je suis Charlie.