Tuesday, November 08, 2005

What's the Real 'Why' Behind the Violence in France?

I have learned to be wary of conspiracy theories but ... as soon as the riots started happening in France I asked, "Why now?" When they spread to other European cities I asked, "Why?" I find it very strange that these events started happening soon after Iran and Syria were condemned by the UN Security Council, including France. Might someone have felt it was time to teach the French government a lesson?

Today I read this. Might there be some great truth here? Only time will tell.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

You really think that these people facing rampant unemployment where they have to scramble for basic neccessities are going to be planning a long term geopolitical strategy? This is pure and simple frustration coming out, not unlike the Watts Riots of 1965 where frustration was growing and one incident sparked the event.

Robert W. said...

According to your logic, there should be rampant rioting in every U.S. city and certain areas of Vancouver and Toronto. Yet there isn't.

Furthermore, these "people facing rampant unemployment" have the wherewithal to be setting up bomb factories? I think you're very naive.

Anonymous said...

There is the potential for riot in every city in North America, depends on the severity of the problem in that city and the spark. If certain individuals make bombs, why brand the entire community over there. Like saying that the any extremist sub segment is a represenation of the full community. In times like these, articles such as these do nothing but enrage rather than foster peace. Yes sounds like liberal mumbo jumbo, but would you rather not foster peace than keep inciting anger? This is pure and simple frustration coming out. How many riots such as these do you see when times are good, economically and socially, in any part of the world? Its a free society and you have the right to think and say what you want as much as I or anyone else, I'm just suggesting that the professional and educated community should be mindful that situations such as these require restraint and understanding to help calm the situation rather than raise anger levels.

Robert W. said...

I don't dispute what you've just said. And yes, peace should TRY to be fostered rather than anger. But nowhere in your words do I see any mention of accountability of those committing these crimes. If people in your community started such a rampage and attacked your property and the people you love, would you just sit back and say, "Oh those poor souls, let's forget about what violence they've done and take the time to get to the root causes of their issues." Please!

Anonymous said...

The discussion was not about accountability but about invasion, so accountability was not discussed, that was another topic - lets not mix the two. Of course if someone is physically attacking, they need to be held accountable under the law. But do you hold the entire community accountable for the actions of a subset just because you cant distinguish who the attackers are from those who are just there because they live there? Hold the law breakers accountable, absolutely, but make sure you are not casting a net so wide because you cant find just the law breakers, that the innocent get swept in it. European recent history shows the devastating effects of such an action, such as in Germany and the former Yugoslavia.

Robert W. said...

I agree with you there. And out of courtesy and respect, I've carefully reviewed everything I've said in my original posting and my subsequent comments. Nowhere have I condemned all Muslims or any entire community for that matter. As for the article, just because some believe that Al Qaeda may be behind the rioting does not mean that anyone's suggesting that all Muslims are of that ilk. I don't know about you, but I have several Muslim friends - here in Vancouver and elsewhere - and in no way, shape, or form, do I think they are Muslim extremists or sympathizers of that group.

Anonymous said...

Thank you. Appreciate you double checking and making the clarification here.

Anonymous said...

Typical left wing mamby pamby molly coddling. No one is ever responsible for their actions because they are poor, depressed, unemployed, hard done by,black ,white, yellow,alcoholics, drug addicts etc etc.

Horny Toad