Explosions and shootings in Paris

[pat fan]

Does not give one the warm and fuzzies or make one feel safe.

 

[georgina]

Had a layover yesterday in the Brussels airport. All the machines were down at the security checkpoint we went through there - they were hand searching carry on bags and doing pat downs and wanding on everyone! Barely made our connection. These were all travelers who had come in on other planes, but still gave me pause.

 

[bcla]

IIRC, they claimed the gun was made of porcelain in DH2. Um, no LOL! But yeah, in addition to being obvious on an X-ray, even a sub-compact Glock will have as much steel as a 5-shot, .38 snub nose revolver.

The armorer who supplied all the weapons used in Die Hard 2 went over the script and told them how ludicrous the premise was. I'm wondering if they at least tried to talk them out of calling it "porcelain" and "made in Germany". "It's a plastic gun made in Austria" doesn't sound less impressive.

http://diehard.wikia.com/wiki/Glock_7

When Glock pistols were first introduced to the market, they promoted their extensive use of non-metallic components. This generated controversy, fearing that this would make them easier to conceal from metal detectors - hence the scene in the movie. However, as described, the scenario shown in the film is pure Hollywood fiction. Armorer Mike Papac, whose company Cinema Weaponry supplied all of the firearms used in Die Hard 2, has commented, "I remember when we did that scene, I tried to talk them out of it. There's no such thing as a gun invisible to metal detectors, and there shouldn't be, but they wouldn't budge. They had it written into the script and that was that."​

 

[NFLDERS]

There are those that often think I missed my true field of calling!

And the defense/man rests.

 

[SparklePixie]

My husband flew to NYC this morning. He said there was no discernible difference in security compared to his last trip a few weeks ago.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

“No need to fool ourselves,” a French government official said. “What we have in front of us is a complete failure".

The revelation that France was blind to the blood ties between the 28-year-old Mr. Abaaoud, a Belgian of Moroccan origin, and Ms. Aït Boulahcen, age 26, is particularly vexing for France, which has been trying to repair its security relationship with Morocco.

One of the challenges facing French intelligence is tracking the movement of hundreds of French radicals passing over Turkey’s border with northern Syria, Islamic State’s stronghold, and identifying significant threats."

http://www.wsj.com/articles/paris-attacks-show-cracks-in-frances-counterterrorism-effort-1448244796

How do we think the U.S. compares?

 

[SparklePixie]

“No need to fool ourselves,” a French government official said. “What we have in front of us is a complete failure".

The revelation that France was blind to the blood ties between the 28-year-old Mr. Abaaoud, a Belgian of Moroccan origin, and Ms. Aït Boulahcen, age 26, is particularly vexing for France, which has been trying to repair its security relationship with Morocco.

One of the challenges facing French intelligence is tracking the movement of hundreds of French radicals passing over Turkey’s border with northern Syria, Islamic State’s stronghold, and identifying significant threats."

http://www.wsj.com/articles/paris-attacks-show-cracks-in-frances-counterterrorism-effort-1448244796

How do we think the U.S. compares?

One of the challenges the French face is not letting political correctness be the death of their country.

 

[Suger Mag]

“No need to fool ourselves,” a French government official said. “What we have in front of us is a complete failure".

The revelation that France was blind to the blood ties between the 28-year-old Mr. Abaaoud, a Belgian of Moroccan origin, and Ms. Aït Boulahcen, age 26, is particularly vexing for France, which has been trying to repair its security relationship with Morocco.

One of the challenges facing French intelligence is tracking the movement of hundreds of French radicals passing over Turkey’s border with northern Syria, Islamic State’s stronghold, and identifying significant threats."

http://www.wsj.com/articles/paris-attacks-show-cracks-in-frances-counterterrorism-effort-1448244796

How do we think the U.S. compares?

I think the US has 'upped' its game, however there is always room for improvement in any system.

 

[NHdisneylover]

One of the challenges the French face is not letting political correctness be the death of their country.

Really? I would say France has been one of the western countries with the least concern for being "politically correct" as far as extreme Islamic practices goes. This is the country which outlawed Burkas (well, all full face coverings in public when not on a motor vehicle, but it applies to burkas) and does not serve Halal meals as school lunches in many areas (vegetarian will suffice, but some people protested and called it bigoted); they also have a law against wearing open display of religious symbols in schools (so no cross jewelry and no hajibs either). The US certainly has not gone nearly so far to keep religion out of school, town halls, etc.

Personally, I have been impressed at France's willingness to stand up to extremism and not feel forced to accept it in order to support freedom of religion (while, at the same time, being welcoming and supportive of non extremists in all religions, including Islam). It is possible that this backbone is one reason they are currently being targeted so heavily--because they are NOT being PC.


http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/01/france-burqa-ban-upheld-human-rights-court

http://www.theguardian.com/world/20...nce-secularism-children-religious-intolerance


http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/07/economist-explains-2

 

[TLSnell1981]

http://www.wsj.com/articles/paris-attacks-show-cracks-in-frances-counterterrorism-effort-1448244796

How do we think the U.S. compares?

F for FAILURE! I'm not sure, it's even being taken seriously. I think, admitting there IS an issue would be a good "first step".

 

[TLSnell1981]

The State a department has issued a worldwide travel alert for U.S. citizens. It expires 24 February 2016.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34907009

 

[Domo]

The armorer who supplied all the weapons used in Die Hard 2 went over the script and told them how ludicrous the premise was. I'm wondering if they at least tried to talk them out of calling it "porcelain" and "made in Germany". "It's a plastic gun made in Austria" doesn't sound less impressive.

http://diehard.wikia.com/wiki/Glock_7

When Glock pistols were first introduced to the market, they promoted their extensive use of non-metallic components. This generated controversy, fearing that this would make them easier to conceal from metal detectors - hence the scene in the movie. However, as described, the scenario shown in the film is pure Hollywood fiction. Armorer Mike Papac, whose company Cinema Weaponry supplied all of the firearms used in Die Hard 2, has commented, "I remember when we did that scene, I tried to talk them out of it. There's no such thing as a gun invisible to metal detectors, and there shouldn't be, but they wouldn't budge. They had it written into the script and that was that."​

I wonder, would a porcelain gun even work? Could it take the strain? How far off the 3D printed guns is the concept?

 

[cabanafrau]

Does anyone know if Brussels is still supposed to be on lockdown as was reported this morning? I cannot imagine the atmosphere that kind of statement must have created, both in Brussels and in Paris in particular. The idea doesn't feel so wonderful an ocean away for that matter.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Does anyone know if Brussels is still supposed to be on lockdown as was reported this morning? I cannot imagine the atmosphere that kind of statement must have created, both in Brussels and in Paris in particular. The idea doesn't feel so wonderful an ocean away for that matter.

Everything I am seeing says it is still on lockdown today.

 

[cabanafrau]

Everything I am seeing says it is still on lockdown today.

I cannot wrap my brain around that idea. It's nerveracking enough to be in a situation where a school, street or neighborhood is locked down for a period of time for a specific situation. To conceptualize a major European city locked down under such conditions truly horrifies me.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I cannot wrap my brain around that idea. It's nerveracking enough to be in a situation where a school, street or neighborhood is locked down for a period of time for a specific situation. To conceptualize a major European city locked down under such conditions truly horrifies me.

Me too---and for so long. I just cannot imagine. I am impressed with how well locals seem to be handling it.

 

[bcla]

I wonder, would a porcelain gun even work? Could it take the strain? How far off the 3D printed guns is the concept?

It's going way back to the introductory class I took on materials, but there are two factors - strength and toughness. Ceramic materials aren't particularly tough, but they can have decent strength. The problem with plastic materials is that they can't take the direct heat of an explosion and aren't that strong, but they can be used in parts that move thousands of times without fully wearing out (plastic is tough).

The one plastic 3D gun that seems to work consistently is single shot and fails after a few uses. It's not what someone looking to take over a plane is going to want. And in any case it's not going to be of much use without ammunition.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I

I cannot wrap my brain around that idea. It's nerveracking enough to be in a situation where a school, street or neighborhood is locked down for a period of time for a specific situation. To conceptualize a major European city locked down under such conditions truly horrifies me.

This played a part in cancelling our upcoming trip. We were supposed to fly out Thursday evening. I was originally concerned with disruptions in transportation, border hassles, protests, etc., over the migrant crisis. We contacted friend, who's family lives in the region we were to visit. The information, regarding tourist sites, especially Christmas markets put a damper on our plan. Although, the situation in Belgium pushed me into the final decision to cancel.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I

This played a part in cancelling our upcoming trip. We were supposed to fly out Thursday evening. I was originally concerned with disruptions in transportation, border hassles, protests, etc., over the migrant crisis. We contacted friend, who's family lives in the region we were to visit. The information, regarding tourist sites, especially Christmas markets put a damper on our plan. Although, the situation in Belgium pushed me into the final decision to cancel.

Aw, I'm sorry your trip has been cancelled--never a good feeling.

I am curious as to where you had planned to travel? I recall you posting several times on the thread about people cancelling trips to Paris, but don't think you mentioned a trip of your own (I might well have missed or forgotten something though).

Many Christmas Markets started up over the weekend and I have several friends posting photos from various German markets already---here at least they seem to be going ahead as normal.

 

[cabanafrau]

A few weeks ago I would have given a lot to be able to be planning a trip. As much as I don't want to let terrorists change our way of life I have to say I would have some concerns about travel right now. Looking forward to better news and shaking off the jitters.