Terrorism in France: Al Qaeda may have downed airliner in retaliation

The Washington Times ^ | January 8, 2004 | Walid Phares

[quidnunc]

When President Jacques Chirac delivered his televised speech about the hijab (female Muslim scarf) in France, I believed there would be an immediate Jihad against France.I anticipated a wide array of jihadist offensives against Paris. My primary analytical reason was the strategic importance of the scarf to Islamic fundamentalists worldwide.

According to religious radicals, the long scarf — which is supposed to cover the hair, and in some cases, the faces of Muslim women — is not just a tradition, but a religious duty called fard dinee. Per fundamentalist clerics, women have to cover. And by way of extension, those who do are complying with the will of Allah.

When women wear the scarf, Islamic fundamentalists consider it a pillar of their influence. They can deploy their statistical power and project it as a maker or breaker of their growth. If the hijab were used increasingly, the Islamists would feel on the ascent. If its use decreases, particularly by orders of a secular government, like France, the jihadists have no choice but to wage war.

-snip-

[Jumper]

Read the website blog, Merde in France. It will also provide other links that give a snapshot of Frence or other politics and you will start to understand what they are T-A-U-G-H-T from "their" M-E-D-I-A. Please have a looksee. http://merdeinfrance.blogspot.com/ and of course, another favorite for conservation thought is the USS Clueless website:)

By the way, I am not convienced that the French "Speaking" people in Europe (I'm leaving Belgium after 4.5 years in Europe this month) like anyone other than themselves, but are very happy to Bash American's in EUropean Company and other EUropeans when amongst themselves (The French love only themselves and dislike or hate everyone else). Just my take after putting up with their Anti-Americanism personally.

[lainde]

bttt

[11B3]

You're absolutely correct about the attitude over there. Congrats on leaving that cesspool. It seems that the Spanish are about the only decent folks left on the continent - until you go to the old Warsaw Pact nations. Poland and Bulgaria come to mind.

[jaykay]

"If God wanted women's faces covered wouldn't he have made them so they grew beards?"

Isn't that the case with most Arab women?

[jaykay]

"I have to think that if al-Qaeda had done the job they'd have been trumpeting it to the sky by now"

I'm kind of surprised they haven't claimed credit for it anyway. Didn't they say they were responsible for the mass blackout?

[justa-hairyape]

The question is at what point will France realize their ties to the US are more important

The radical Islamic Front should now realize that expanding the war against America was not a smart strategic thing to do. Unlike present day Western Europe, we fight back. The radical islamic terrorist have suffered major losses in Afghanistan and Iraq. Both places were viewed as strongholds for radical anti-american sentiment (Baathist and Taliban). This will force the terrorists to redirect their efforts at Western Europe and Russia. Eastern Europe (Poland, etc.) has also demonstrated the will to fight back. If radical islamic terrorists have gotten WMD from Iraq, expect them to deploy these weapons against Russia and Western Europe. If they use them on the US or England, losing Afghanistan and Iraq will pale in significance when the US and its coalition forces step it up a notch. In other words, it will take a 911 event within France to shock their populace and wake them to the current ongoing islamic invasion of Europe. Wonder what Charles Martel did to rally his troops ?

[31R1O]

Have you ever been to the Middle East? I've seen some really beautiful women in Iraq and Kuwait.

[askrenr]

"It seems that the Spanish are about the only decent folks left on the continent –"

Italy is still on our side, their government is solid behind the US and for the most part so are the people. I am currently stationed in Italy and with the exception of the left they support us.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

ping

[12B]

Nice Handle 11B3 :-)

[expatpat]

I can tell you that DoD has been very concerned about France and French espionage for several decades.

[COEXERJ145]

Their crappy old manpad missiles failed to take down a DC-10. They may have selected the French 737 because they thought their missile would have greater success. Or it may simply have been a bomb carried aboard successfully due to crappy security.

Is it possible it was a terrorist attack? Yes. Is it definite? No. I would rather wait and see before making up my mind. Too many people here like to cry terrorism and cover up every time a plane crashes.