49 replies to this topic

[and then]

http://www.euronews....ensive-in-mali/

First Hollande says no intervention.  Then, airstrikes only.  Then, ground troops, tanks and "we'll" stay as long as it takes".  Dien Bien Phu anyone?  Don't get me wrong, I'm glad a western power is willing to help stem the tide.  I'm just a bit confused that it would be France.  After all, they have welcomed the largest Muslim population in Europe and bend over backwards to make the rules amenable to their culture and religion.  My intention here is NOT to insult Muslims but to point out that when Islam and other religions meet, it's often a clash rather than an embrace.  So why France?  Hollande strikes me as a typical politician and seemed risk averse until now.  Big jump with no parachute - I wish him well.

Edited by and then, 16 January 2013 - 07:41 AM.

[Render]

Why France? Because Mali is part of the former french colonies.
They want France to step up, they don't want to be taken over by the rebels.
Why is the intervention getting more severe? Because those rebels are heavily armed and they are ready to fight.

France has the highest muslim population because of those former colonies. Muslim integration is going the smoothest in France because they feel france is their country. France doesn't bend over backwards to accomodate them, they are simply part of the community.

http://www.unexplain...howtopic=240971

[Corp]

I have no problems with the intervention. The Mali government asked for French military aid, the African Union was already getting ready to send in troops, the UN wants something done to stop the rebels, the civilians of Mali want the rebels stopped, and surrounding nations are supporting the French by letting them use their air space and some are letting France use their bases.

From what I've heard it's tumbs up for the French all around. Expect of course those who are whining about Western "imperialism" and are trying to make this about oil and other resources.

[Kafkaesque]

The French do have a history of colonization...

The rest can easily be said about many Western powers.

I just hope any violence is resolved.

[and then]

Preritrv, on 17 January 2013 - 12:35 AM, said:

Sometimes violence is the only way to resolve

Welcome to UM, Preritrv.  I agree that, sadly, sometimes violence IS the only way.  To do otherwise is to invite subjugation.  I wish France well and I hope the intervention is a short one.

[and then]

UPDATE

http://online.wsj.co...0036330882.html
Al Queda in the Maghreb has claimed responsibility for taking US, British and French hostages in Algeria at a BP site.  The US is warned not to help in the Mali intervention undertaken by France.  I hope a joint team of special ops guys take them down before they can begin a propaganda coup with this.  In fact, if France asks, I say let the US hit so many sites in northern Mali that the rebels have nowhere to hide or stage their arms and supplies.  If the hostages are harmed then continue the rout until their are none left in Mali.  They understand the use of power.  It's time to show them the west does as well.

[seeder]

and then, on 17 January 2013 - 01:04 AM, said:

UPDATE

http://online.wsj.co...0036330882.html
Al Queda in the Maghreb has claimed responsibility for taking US, British and French hostages in Algeria at a BP site.  The US is warned not to help in the Mali intervention undertaken by France.  I hope a joint team of special ops guys take them down before they can begin a propaganda coup with this.  In fact, if France asks, I say let the US hit so many sites in northern Mali that the rebels have nowhere to hide or stage their arms and supplies.  If the hostages are harmed then continue the rout until their are none left in Mali.  They understand the use of power.  It's time to show them the west does as well.

Special forces would be there already... they are always first in...trust in that, UK and US special forces.plus the French of course.. just because you don't hear it on the news doesn't mean it isnt so..

[and then]

Render, on 16 January 2013 - 09:03 AM, said:

Why France? Because Mali is part of the former french colonies.
They want France to step up, they don't want to be taken over by the rebels.
Why is the intervention getting more severe? Because those rebels are heavily armed and they are ready to fight.

France has the highest muslim population because of those former colonies. Muslim integration is going the smoothest in France because they feel france is their country. France doesn't bend over backwards to accomodate them, they are simply part of the community.

http://www.unexplain...howtopic=240971

Does that include the guy who punched an obstetrics nurse last year for taking off his pregnant wife's hijab AS she was giving birth?  No, I think it's pretty clear that the Muslim "community" doesn't attempt to blend.  But maybe I answered my own question.  Maybe Hollande sees this community as a potential threat if Al Queda gets a secure presence near Europe to recruit from.  Anyway, the thread isn't to argue about Islam - just to explore why France and now the rest of the west apparently are being drawn into yet another fight with Islamic extremists, this time in Africa.

[and then]

seeder, on 17 January 2013 - 01:15 AM, said:

Special forces would be there already... they are always first in...trust in that, UK and US special forces.plus the French of course.. just because you don't hear it on the news doesn't mean it isnt so..

Normally I'd say you are absolutely correct but the US government recently allowed one of our AMBASSADORS to be murdered without responding in any way.  So I hope the SAS and the French are assembling a team just in case Obama doesn't want to admit there might still be a small problem with extremism in the region.  What a tool he is.....

[The New Richard Nixon]

and then, on 17 January 2013 - 01:21 AM, said:

Normally I'd say you are absolutely correct but the US government recently allowed one of our AMBASSADORS to be murdered without responding in any way.  So I hope the SAS and the French are assembling a team just in case Obama doesn't want to admit there might still be a small problem with extremism in the region.  What a tool he is.....

The Algerians took the operation and it seems that just now that they have defeated the terrorists

[Colonel Rhuairidh]

Mmmm. It all sounds as if, for the leaders of the West, history just keeps being replayed on an endless loop, doesn't it, and they never seem to learn from the lessons of history. Perhaps Bill Murray would make a good leader of the Western world; he'd have plenty of experience of the way that they do things.

[Colonel Rhuairidh]

Corp, on 16 January 2013 - 04:44 PM, said:

I have no problems with the intervention. The Mali government asked for French military aid, the African Union was already getting ready to send in troops, the UN wants something done to stop the rebels, the civilians of Mali want the rebels stopped, and surrounding nations are supporting the French by letting them use their air space and some are letting France use their bases.

From what I've heard it's tumbs up for the French all around. Expect of course those who are whining about Western "imperialism" and are trying to make this about oil and other resources.

... just like South Vietnam asked the US for military aid... Afghanistan asked the USSR ...
Although old Hollande does seem to be trying to make up for France's perhaps less than pro-active reputation in the 20th century in military affairs, doesn't it; he's taking up where Sarkozy left off. One tyrant down, so let's now go on and defeat Terrorism!

[seeder]

Well, RT live news just had a guy saying basically.... that the french have moved in, in an effort to protect European interests, gold/diamond mines and oil fields...plus keeping china from getting in there and buying the resources for bigger money..thus china getting a foothold into Africa, with promises of building infrastructure... which the west doesn't want...

and then...he was going on that with the downfall of Libya, Algeria was sposed to be next., and may even be so

[The New Richard Nixon]

Typical from RT

[seeder]

The New Richard Nixon, on 17 January 2013 - 05:55 PM, said:

Typical from RT

ha yeh!
Im watching again waiting for it to repeat as missed the first half of his rant, (you know, they always have some guy someplace on a webcam, in his bedroom giving reports like that!)

bet Alex Jones will be raving on his show later too...

Edited by seeder, 17 January 2013 - 06:03 PM.