USA Today column answers the question, ‘Why France?’

By Lynn R. Mitchell

After the terrorist attacks on the Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris ten months ago followed up by Friday’s terror on the streets that took the lives of over 100 innocent victims and injured hundreds more, attention is once again centered on terrorism as some ask, “Why France?”

France’s longtime head of intelligence, Count Alexandre de Marenches, warned 20 years ago of the danger that faced his country. In the Age of Terrorism, the principal challenge to France is the presence “within our nation of another nation we do not understand, whose language we do not speak, whose customs we do not know, whose hopes and aspirations we do not share,” as noted by David A. Andelman in USA Today.

America responds to Paris terrorism attacks

By Lynn R. Mitchell

In the wake of the Paris terrorism attacks on Friday night, America has responded. At 8:30pm EST, Sky News is reporting 158 dead as the death toll continues to rise….

The Omni Hotel in downtown Dallas lights itself in the colors of the French flag to honor victims in Paris pic.twitter.com/TsU9WUikkD

— Dallas Morning News (@dallasnews) November 14, 2015

President Barack Obama held a news conference.

Praying for Paris tonight. America will stand with you against terror. — Jeb Bush (@JebBush) November 13, 2015

 

My prayers are with the people of Paris and of our ally France tonight. #ParisAttacks — Condoleezza Rice (@CondoleezzaRice) November 14, 2015

All 2016 presidential candidates have responded.

The targets were areas with large numbers of people. French authorities have warned the fatality numbers may go up. They also confirmed there were SIX areas attacked Friday night.

America needs to be alert. It has been 14 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. We are not immune.

Jim Gilmore responds to Paris terrorism attacks

By Lynn R. Mitchell

In the aftermath of Friday night’s terrorism attacks in Paris, America has responded. One of those was former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore who understand terrorism and the dangers facing the world in a way others do not. Here are his remarks following the attacks:

Paris is presently under a major terrorist attack. Reports are coming in of many deaths, and even a major hostage situation. This follows last year’s terrible attack on the French newspaper “Charlie Hebdo.” Major explosions occurred in Beirut, Lebanon, yesterday.

No country will lead on its own without the U.S. showing the way.

Multiple terrorism attacks hit Paris … dozens reportedly dead

By Lynn R. Mitchell

It’s a sad night in Paris as terrorists hit four locations killing dozens, injuring dozens more, and 100 held hostage. France is under a state of emergency — the military controls the streets. The borders are closed, police can enter private homes without warrants, they can close down the subway system, and whatever they deem necessary to keep France safe. All are on alert in the event more attacks come later tonight.

Just before 11pm Paris time, 4pm East Coast time, a rock concert, soccer stadium, shopping mall, and restaurant were attacked by gunmen and explosions. The head of France was at the soccer stadium but safely escaped. The borders have been closed; a search is on for the terrorists who escaped.

Fox News Channel reporter Geraldo Rivera’s 21-year-old daughter was at the soccer match but escaped outside and was trying to make her way home along the streets.

The hostages at the rock concert are now reportedly being executed one-by-one with the sound of gunfire heard live on French television.

Reuters is reporting five explosions have now been heard near the concert hall. Paris is under curfew for the first time since 1944 at the height of World War II.

Paris is under siege … pray for the people of France tonight.

John Kerry diplomacy is ‘You’ve got a friend’? How about ‘Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue’?

By Lynn R. Mitchell

John Kerry took American singer-songwriter James Taylor with him to Paris to sing, “You’ve got a Friend.” After a terrorism attack. That killed 12 people. That has sparked marches with hundreds of thousands of people. That brought 10 world leaders to Paris. That has polarized Europe.

I had to let it sink in Friday when I heard it. I really like James Taylor. But “You’ve Got a Friend”? Really, Mr. Kerry?

When terrorism hit our shores on 9/11, one of the anthems at the time was sung by country music singer-songwriter Toby Keith. Called “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue,” the chorus went like this:

‘You let the world down’

Word is that Barack Obama now “regrets” not making the journey to Paris or, at the very least, sending John Kerry. The photo of world leaders linked arm-in-arm walking down the streets of Paris is now in the pages of history sans Obama.

Solidarity in Paris: the world rallies against radical terrorism

By Lynn R. Mitchell

As leaders from around the world gathered in France on Sunday to show solidarity against terrorism, it was noted that the President of the United States was not there. Taking Barack Obama’s place was U.S. Ambassador to France Jane Hartley (see Obama, Kerry absent from unity rally in Paris):

Hundreds of thousands of people attended the march in Paris on Sunday, waving both French flags and those of other nations.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were among those who attended, along with religious leaders.

Terrorism alert high

By Lynn R. Mitchell

After Tuesday’s terrorism attack in Paris, alerts are at their highest levels in France and security experts are warning that radicals could be planning attacks around the world (see Britain’s M15 chief warns al Qaeda in Syria planning mass attacks on west). Reuters reporter Guy Faulconbridge wrote:

Al Qaeda militants in Syria are plotting attacks to inflict mass casualties in the West, possibly against transport systems or “iconic targets”, the head of Britain’s MI5 Security Service said on Thursday.

Speaking after gunmen killed 12 people in an assault on a French satirical newspaper, MI5 boss Andrew Parker warned a strike on the United Kingdom was highly likely.

The pen is mightier

By Lynn R. Mitchell

I don’t pretend to be a journalist. I am a blogger. There is a difference. My sister is a journalist. She went to school to learn her craft, earning her Master’s Degree in Journalism, and that led to internships around the country where she earned a reputation as an excellent writer. Her writing has taken her from Denver to New York to snowy Alaska to the capitol building in Austin to the White House in D.C. And, finally, her talents with a pen led her to Paris.