First Thoughts on the Paris Attacks [Updated]

We were recording a podcast, which will be posted shortly, when Islamic terrorists unleashed their coordinated attacks on Paris. Early reports are always wrong, at least in part, so the facts are still in flux, but here are some preliminary comments:

1) At the moment, French authorities are estimating 140 deaths and many injuries, in six coordinated attacks. No one doubted for a moment that the murders were committed by Muslims, but it is not yet clear which group of Islamic terrorists is responsible. Witness accounts indicate that one or more terrorists claimed to be associated with ISIS–the “jayvees,” as President Obama memorably put it–but that isn’t necessarily decisive. Some of the terrorists yelled “Allahu akbar.” No surprise there.

2) These attacks may finally force France and other European countries to confront the reality of Islamic terrorism. The victims here were not cartoonists or Jews. They were random Frenchmen.

3) Some of the terrorists are still at large, and there is no assurance that the attacks are over.

4) It is being reported that the terrorists who attacked a rock concert threw hand grenades into the faces of hostages. There is no horror of which Islamic terrorists are incapable.

5) French President Hollande ordered the country’s borders closed. Given France’s large Muslim population, that is probably closing the barn door when the cows are already gone. Coincidentally, Sweden has also now closed its borders with Denmark and Germany. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Muslims, some of them conceded to be terrorists in waiting, are flooding into Europe from the South. The European Union may be collapsing before our eyes.

6) World leaders are issuing the usual insipid statements. President Obama described the attacks as “heartbreaking” and added, “I don’t want to speculate at this point in terms of who was responsible for this.” There’s not much need to speculate, Mr. President. I don’t want to hear about “heartbreaking,” “tragedy,” and so on. I want the bastards dead. Forget the condolences and start wreaking havoc. Where is Ulysses Grant when we need him? Or George Patton, maybe?

7) One last observation: three days ago, the Minnesota Student Association, the undergraduate student government at the University of Minnesota, rejected a resolution for a moment of recognition on future anniversaries of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks:

“[S]everal members, in exchanges with CRs rep Theo Menon, were militant in their opposition to it due to a perceived bias toward Muslims.” …

At-large MSA representative and Director of Diversity and Inclusion David Algadi voiced severe criticism of the resolution. …

“The passing of this resolution might make a space that is unsafe for students on campus even more unsafe,” said Algadi, “Islamophobia and racism fueled through that are alive and well.”

Algadi added that holding a moment of recognition over a tragedy committed by non-white perpetrators could increase racist attitudes on campus, asking, “When will we start having moments of silence for all of the times white folks have done something terrible?”

Somehow I don’t think that “Islamophobia,” whatever that is supposed to mean, is the great danger that we face. These leftists should be deeply ashamed. But, of course, they won’t be.

STEVE adds: First, don’t forget that climate change is the most serious security threat to the world! Second, expect Marine Le Pen’s poll ratings to jump 10 percent after this, putting her in the lead for the next French national election. Third, don’t expect the French borders to be fully re-opened any time soon. Finally, despite all the jokes about French weakness, I expect we’ll see them open up a can of serious whoop-ass.

UPDATE: The death toll is now reported at 158, but French authorities say that total will rise.