(11n) October 2020, in France a month to forget

The month October. A further slow build-up of tensions between the West and Muslim countries. The reason? Terrorist attacks in France as a result of the publication of cartoons by the magazine Charlie Hebdo whereby certain caricatures depict the Prophet Muhammad, even when the magazine knows this is unacceptable for many (religious) Muslims as it suggests they are all extremists and thus their publications will increase tensions with Muslims and radicalise some as the terror attacks against the magazine and later attacks proof. 

For me,  it is unbelievable that people want to sacrifice themselves and even loved ones because they are angry about pictures. Still, as God says in old books, let those who want to die for God die for Him. But, it is sad that innocent people die. And thus potential terrorists should be stopped, the reason why telecom companies should be able to save and store telephone calls for a certain period (of course, with respect for the privacy). But, believe it or not, the European Court judged against telephone storage.

10/10/2020 - European Court decision that I don't agree with because it seems the Court is out of this world. Why? 

Recently it ruled that communication data of everyone can no longer be stored for a certain period by telecommunication companies, because this doesn't protect the rights of potential criminals as they are the only one who benefit from such a ruling. 

Indeed, we live in stressful times and who seems today a nice person can be a terrorist who started to prepare months ago the terror; therefore we need to know everyone in the network to prevent future attacks. Another example are people who may be in contact with children they may one day kidnap so data on a child's phone can link to a criminal; still, the judges decided protection of privacy above anything else. 

That's also why I wrote before that judges may give advice such as point out conflicts between different laws so legislators can improve laws. The judges are right when they say that laws should exist that prevent our data is sold by companies or stolen and punishments for such crimes should be set as indeed it concerns our privacy. But, a few people, i,e, judges, shouldn't be able to block laws in a democracy that should be sufficiently strong to prevent abuse. 

Storage of all data was good as a police officer explained because after this ruling police have to ask that data of all Muslims are stored because some may organise a crime while we all know that also white people can commit atrocities (such as happened in Norway but also the USA) and thus it is important to know with whom those people communicated to arrest acquaintances. 

Now, in case legislators deem it necessary, they should be able to improve and vote again to store data of everyone for a certain period so law (justice) and order (police) can investigate retroactive a person if needed while unelected judges shouldn't block laws that are intended to protect the public. Maybe store this data on servers of governments? Otherwise people are forced to vote for politicians who will disobey Court rulings and do as they think is best for society and this without democratic control. Because:

THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS AND SOCIETY ALSO NEED PROTECTION.

In addition, I think cartoons that stigmatise a whole group of people and not only terrorists should not be defended by politicians as those publications can be classified as hate messages, something we rightly condemn when certain politicians speak this way or when this kind of cartoons are published about Jews. 

Below a collection of my posts I published over a month on Facebook with some extra comments for clarification. 

02/10/2020 - French President Macron outlines measures to prevent more radicalisation

President Macron outlines new measures to try to prevent that radical Islam is able to convince new recruits. That is about ensuring younger people but also their parents learn a message about inclusion of women, LGBTs, people of different origins and religions and compare this with the terror in countries where those who preach the opposite are in power. And deportation of those who refuge to accept our society. 

This isn't about preventing Muslim women from wearing a headscarf if they wish to do but obeying the general rule that face covering is not allowed unless to prevent the spread of a virus. Equally should people be able to wear a cross or a red dot on their head (Hindus) or ... as long as they respect others as most do.

It is also by providing opportunities for those at the bottom of society (whomever they are)to climb such as providing cheaper housing in what are expensive locations within city centres but also measures so white people remain in areas to prevent they become exclusive areas as diversity is important. 

However, this also includes condemning extreme right such as Charlie Hebdo that provokes just as extreme right political parties and organisations do. Who has forgotten the drawing of a refugee boy who drowned and the magazine adding the message about one potential future rapist less or two child meals for the price of one? Indeed, such publications are propaganda to spread the message to distrust all those who are Muslim. A pity the anger they provoke also kills bystanders.

Connecting comment

As written above, recently President Macron introduced measures we all hope will further reduce the radicalisation of some of France's Muslims, often persons who returned to their religion. However, that same month we witnessed another terrorist attack in Paris whereby a teacher is killed, again in relation with cartoons by Charlie Hebdo that he showed in his class. Later three more people died in Nice. 

16/10/2020 - A teacher, murdered for showing and discussing cartoons

Sad to read again about a terrorist attack in France whereby a teacher was killed by an 18-year-old Moscow-born suspect who was said to be a "perfect unknown" to the country's intelligence service, but had a petty criminal record." 

Why do small criminals think they have to kill for their God? Do they really think that by killing innocent people they earn their heaven? This likely worsens relations even more. Yes, before other terrorist actions took place, often by converted criminals. 

17/10/2020 - Follow-up about murder of teacher by Muslim extremist

When certain Muslims don't like the West, why don't they go to Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and other places where they can live the life they want, oppressing women, killing LGBTs and/or teachers. There are countries where evil rules. 

That's also the reason why extreme right is rising of whom a section differs little from Muslim extremists while liberals and the left become hated as they point out not all Muslims are killers. 

This teacher was different from Charlie Hebdo as he wanted a discussion while the magazine contributes to spreading a hate message. So sad his dead but also that of other innocent people like police killed during the first terrorist attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo.

25/10/2020 - President Macron is still angry after the terrorist attack on a teacher

It is difficult to understand why anyone born in the West or abroad but moved to the West defends radical Islam as it opposes the rights of many, the reason why many escape their country. 

On the other hand, I find it difficult to defend an extreme right magazine that continues to publish cartoons we would not defend when an extreme right political party would speak what they publish while the cartoonists know it will anger a large section of society so the other section will also become angry. 

Now, not only a madman killed a teacher, also a Muslim Head of State made comments against those publications because, for him it is as important to defend their religion as it is for France to defend its secularism. 

We live in mad times.

25/10/2020 - Radical Islam is madness

The face of radical Islam that mainly but not exclusively kills in Muslim countries so you would expect it unites people against it but it doesn't.

26/10/2020 - 9/11/2001, a date to remember as it changed the course of history

An interesting article about the class that hosted President Bush that morning on 9/11/2001 when history changed direction with increasing tensions with Muslims, the (temporarily) liberation of Afghans from a human rights violating Taliban government, the fall of dictators in Iraq and Libya and people who proof they need dictators to control them but also the election of Mr Trump as US president and recently French president Macron's anger after another terrorist attack in Paris while Muslim leaders condemn the publication of cartoons about prophet Muhammad as these cartoons are clearly racist and target a whole group of people while continue to anger a small group of Muslims who further damages relations between the West and Muslim countries. 

9/11/2001. The day history changed.

26/10/2020 - Muslim countries are furious with President Macron's defence of cartoons about prophet Muhammad

Turkey's President Erdoğan is furious about President Macron's defense of the right to publish Prophet Muhammad cartoons but add to this cartoons that made fun of children drowned in the Mediterranean Sea. Also Pakistan's PM Khan asks Facebook to remove Islamophobic content while he is joined by Morocco that tells France to stop the provocation of Islam. And the former PM of Malaysia says Muslims have the right to be angry and kill millions of French as they don't have respect for other cultures while killed millions in the past. Yes, the projection of cartoons on walls of government buildings can be considered as an overreaction to a terrible killing of a teacher. Further, throughout the Muslim world people start to boycott French and probably soon European products. 

While France defends secularism and the right of individuals to offend others, Muslim countries consider it their right to defend Islam, partly to prevent that their citizens will start to protest over cartoons that are intended to insult all Muslims. 

In addition, if only 0.1% of Muslims think they must use violence to defend their religion, how can we know these individuals who may act outside any organisation?

Europeans know the power of cartoons as they were used by Hitler to stigmatise Jews until 6 million were murdered. This doesn't mean any defense of Muslim terrorists as they are wrong and provoke anger against Muslims. But, we don't need more anger but instead a dialogue on how to improve relations. 

Religions, inventions that keep the numbers of humans down until humans no longer want to belong to religions but instead recognise they belong to the same human race and should respect each other.

28/10/2020 - Charlie Hebdo continues to infuriate President Erdoğan 

The French magazine Charlie Hebdo managed, again, to cause an angry response from the Turkish government by insulting its president. 

We know why: the magazine wants troubles with Turkey, just when the EU should be thankful that Turkey agreed to keep many migrants outside Europe by offering them protection from people like Assad of Syria (yes, at a financial cost for Europe). In addition, Turkey tried to create safe zones in Syria so fewer migrants need to escape Syria while the EU looked and criticised ... Turkey.

The EU is at the mercy of Turkey. When a clearly racist magazine intends to stir troubles between the EU and Turkey while has a large Turkish population, and even with the entire Muslim world, should politicians agree with the magazine or call for common sense? At what a cost does the West wants to defend the right of freedom of speech and expression, even the right to insult and bully? Is only a magazine right?

And, it is not the first time that President Erdoğan is angered by Western "comedians".

29/10/2020 - Terrible, again a terrorist attack in France

Although Muslims may be hurt and angry about cartoons by a magazine that probably feels powerful, Muslims should also tell each other that radicalisation and extremism is not the way forward as a violent backfire can be expected when people but also the government have enough that they can't feel safe when they go out. 

Terrorism was also one reason why Mr Trump became president less than two decades after 9/11. We should not forget or ignore these events in our analysis for our present days to find solutions for the future.

31/10/2020 - More Muslim protests against the West

To defeat extremists we need collaboration with countries, including Muslim countries such as Turkey, Pakistan, Tunisia, ... . 

This is only possible when we respect not only our culture but also theirs, i.e. don't insult what you know will anger them. Governments in many of those countries walk a thin line between their religion that is part of their identity just as secularism is for France, and extremists who use their religion to try to install religious dictatorship. Ones the later start to win because the West agrees with racist cartoons, either politicians need to knockdown protests in their own country and thus more people will turn towards extremism, or have to speak out against creators and defenders of cartoons that are intended to spread hate. Malaysians ex-PM is an extreme example of a politician who said Muslims have the right to kill millions of French for past violence and current arrogance.

The West needs among others Turkey and President Erdoğan to stop extremists as they kill also in Muslim countries. We shouldn't fall for the trap of extreme right-wing magazine "Charlie Hebdo" by defending their publications just because they have a different name than the political party "Front National". Or, do we want that Muslims may one day unite behind one leader against the West?

01/11/2020 - Continuous anger against France threatens stability throughout Europe

An opinion piece about France and its relationship with the Islam world. Indeed, it is a troubled one. 

Many Muslims still speak about neocolonialism when they refer to Europe whereby the old powers interfere when they shouldn't but do nothing when they should. 

Syria is an example where the EU should have intervened as many Syrians were begging for help:

- Europe could have intervened after Assad crossed red lines when he gassed his people but we allowed Russia to protect Assad. 

- Europe could have intervened together with President Trump when he bombed a Syrian airport after another gas attack but Europeans criticised Trump. 

- Europe could have helped president Erdoğan when he created safe zones in Syria so Syrians didn't need to leave their country for safety but the EU criticised Erdoğan. 

- Thus, as Europe didn't intervene it should protect Syrian refugees but tries to keep them outside Europe as indeed the culture chock may be too big for some although many will be grateful when we help. Now, many are disappointed and angry. 

After decades of racism by extreme right and publication of cartoons we know ridicule a culture of over one billion people, Muslims are angry and some extreme, that Westerners seem to refuse to respect other cultures just as Westerners did in their colonies. The UK was an example how integration is possible such as headscarves, turbans, a red spot on the forehead at work as compromise. 

Racism should be tackled at schools by discussing why it is wrong not to respect people from other cultures. Why it is wrong to kill people over cartoons. Combined, this can be discussed without showing cartoons that anger. Because, 0.01% very angry Muslims are still many. And even Muslim leaders become angry. 

Still, that doesn't mean reducing human right progress because than extremism needs to be tackled, including extreme right extremism. 

In addition, Muslims should also accept a crisis within their society with terrorist attacks mainly in Muslim countries but also other countries whereby countries such as China and Myanmar (previously known as Burma) being fed-up and taking actions. Recognise that and extremists within your own society can be defeated.

***********

But, it is not only radical Islam, also Christians don't play it always correct. An example is abortion whereby many Christians refuse to understand why certain women have abortion although I accept contraceptives should be the way for birth control but that is not the main reason why people have abortion. Many women consider this as a way that certain men want to control women and their body although it is more complicated when certain men may want to have a child in case women decides they don't want any. 

Similar with Christians who condemn LGBTs while a section of religious leaders are hypocrites as they go to saunas and some even rape children while colleagues remain silent but they condemn consensual love between people of the same sex or different religions or skin colour. 

23/10/2020 - More destruction by mad people

No country is safe from mad people and terrorism. Also in the West some want to destroy our history, similar as the Taliban, Isis and other human right violators. 

Unfortunately but the mad and evil think they are on the right side of society while it's difficult to convince them they are not. For that reason I think museums and other important buildings should not only archive their inventory but also allow that people take pictures for the future as also climate change can destroy.

An extreme example of someone who may be influenced by hateful cartoons and writings that refuse to accept a multicultural society was the Norwegian terrorist Anders Behring Breivik who killed 77 people because they intended discuss how to improve relations in a diverse society as he wanted an ethnical pure Christian Europe. Also nonreligious people can commit atrocities as Stalin and Mao proved. And thus it is important police and justice have the means to protect society such as recorded telephone calls although the European Court ruled against their storage although I accept rules are needed to prevent abuse.

These Christian groups often claim the other groups are wrong while often tend to agree with extreme right-wing ideas. In fact, they don't differ much from the groups they hate, either within the Christian religion, or with Muslims and Jews who think they are above other humans. Indeed, they all worship the same God but consider their worship better than that of other groups. But, they have common enemies such as LGBTs or women who dare to question men's wisdom. 

These groups are similar to the Jews in Jesus's and the Muslims in Muhammad's times: fighting against each other to proof they are better than others until in the end new religions came into existence. However, instead of a new religion it would be better when people would simply respect each other.  That includes as I wrote before, not the freedom to insult when people refer to freedom of speech and expression. Therefore, obvious rules should be obeyed and people should have the possibility to file a complain in order the media remains democratic because not only Muslims are sometimes furious with publications, even comedians such as John Cleese can be angry. And yes, anonymous comments shouldn't be allowed so people think twice and consider possible consequences before they publish something. 

Because, the ideals of the French Republic should be international ideals, i.e.  "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" or "Liberty, equality, fraternity". But, for this white people need to ask themselves, why are so many non-white people angry when white people claim they do so much good? In the USA black people protests, in Australia Aboriginals are angry. In Latin America elected people are often removed from power and replaced by right-wing leaders. Also Africans have reasons to be angry. And in Europe and the USA many white people are angry with their white leaders. Something must be wrong. 

Closing comment

It is not the first time I write against using free speech as an excuse to insult while I think people will one day get enough of cartoonists who anger terrorists as a response to their caricatures. It is a difficult issue because what is acceptable and what isn't, although we know that pictures of the Prophet Muhammad anger a large section of people and thus are not done.

In addition, also Muslims ridicule and even attack Western societies, something much worse than a cartoon of which some are produced as reaction to terror we but also people in Muslim countries experience. It is sad that people who may have friends in every layer of society are angered by terrorists and then lose friends because they are seen as being worse than terrorists. Indeed, everyone should condemn terrorism so the counter-reaction of producing caricatures may end. Because, I don't want to attract terrorists, a caricature is not worth dying for but also I don't want to anger certain leaders who may afterwards hurt certain sections of their own society.

The above are my considerations; you are free to disagree.