Boko Haram 'joins Islamic State'

[Hastings gull]

We need to be asking ourselves - why is this even news?

It's almost as if they want us to be scared.

Who is "they"?

 

[Nibble]

Take your pick - there are plenty of organisations who have lots to gain from the public being scared. Whether it's the government, the media establishments, or the terrorists themselves.

We have reached the point now where we are on the verge of a mass hysteria.

You do realise that the "they want to cause hysteria and scare us" rhetoric is just people who cannot face the scary truth trying to comfort themselves by pretending it's all just hype? You do realise that's what you are doing right? Well, it is.

The world should be aware of IS and it's movements. They are very scary people.

 

[Baldseagull]

Take your pick - there are plenty of organisations who have lots to gain from the public being scared. Whether it's the government, the media establishments, or the terrorists themselves.

We have reached the point now where we are on the verge of a mass hysteria.

Mass hysteria would be a delusion of a threat to society, are you saying that IS are not a threat? That anyone who thinks they are is deluded?

 

[beorhthelm]

You do realise that the "they want to cause hysteria and scare us" rhetoric is just people who cannot face the scary truth trying to comfort themselves by pretending it's all just hype? You do realise that's what you are doing right? Well, it is.

The world should be aware of IS and it's movements. They are very scary people.

but it is hyped. what Boko Haram is doing here is raising their profile - you'll note its a one way declaration of alliance. both groups are intent on establishing islamic states, and right now are restricting activity to their local areas. IS isnt a threat to the west as they are busy trying to build a state. Boko is the same as far as i can tell. they are scary people, and they are over there. in a post iraq world where we've decided we dont want to get involved in conflicts elsewhere, we should leave well alone, except to support affected neighbours when they ask for assistance (Turkey, Jordan). if they start exporting terrorism to us, then we must address that, but right now there is far more fear of that than evidnce of any planning on their behalf.

 

[Hastings gull]

Take your pick - there are plenty of organisations who have lots to gain from the public being scared. Whether it's the government, the media establishments, or the terrorists themselves.

We have reached the point now where we are on the verge of a mass hysteria.

Rather an exaggeration, do you not think? This is an item of news about something that concerns us all, and it is a very worrying development. The fanatics do seem to be getting stronger all the time, albeit slowly, and we should read about this as with other news in the world. It does get much coverage, agreed, but then perhaps we should be left in no doubt as to what the danger to us is. That govts. etc have much to gain from our fears is your usual spin. I would think that if it were any other topic, you would be the first to complain if you thought not enough publicity was being given to an area. In fact was it not you not so long ago bemoaning the lack of coverage of some trade agreement?

 

[Soulman]

The IS are very real, but the perceived threat is greatly exaggerated as we are constantly bombarded with stories of their atrocities 3,000 miles away. The reality is that they are not a threat to anyone apart from the poor souls living in the Middle East.

Their ideology is completely unsustainable and they have far too many enemies. While they will not last, nor do they pose a physical threat to Europeans, the most damaging thing they are doing to us is creating an antipathy towards European Muslims and causing a very harmful social divide - but this is intentional.

"The reality is that they are not a threat to anyone apart from the poor souls living in the Middle East."

Lets wait and see shall we.

 

[Hastings gull]

but it is hyped. what Boko Haram is doing here is raising their profile - you'll note its a one way declaration of alliance. both groups are intent on establishing islamic states, and right now are restricting activity to their local areas. IS isnt a threat to the west as they are busy trying to build a state. Boko is the same as far as i can tell. they are scary people, and they are over there. in a post iraq world where we've decided we dont want to get involved in conflicts elsewhere, we should leave well alone, except to support affected neighbours when they ask for assistance (Turkey, Jordan). if they start exporting terrorism to us, then we must address that, but right now there is far more fear of that than evidnce of any planning on their behalf.

I can certainly see what you saying, just would add that they are not a threat to the West - yet! Whilst they are not a direct threat, it might be foolish not to do anything and let them get ever stronger, so that when the big days comes, and they do pose a threat, we may have lost the military upper hand and it might be too late to do anything, other than, god forbid, use battlefield tactical nuclear weapons. I am not suggesting we invade Syria etc, but a bombing effort to degrade their capabilities, whilst inevitably not totally effective, might at least stave off their advances. It would seem that the recent reverses they have suffered came as a result of militias getting much American air support. Very sad that such issues need to be debated.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

The IS are very real, but the perceived threat is greatly exaggerated as we are constantly bombarded with stories of their atrocities 3,000 miles away. The reality is that they are not a threat to anyone apart from the poor souls living in the Middle East.

IS will sooner or later twig that nobody 3,000 miles away gives too much of a shit until the threat lands in mainland Britain's own back yard. Even the IRA worked that one out eventually. Same as it ever was, sadly.

 

[gripper stebson]

The IS are very real, but the perceived threat is greatly exaggerated as we are constantly bombarded with stories of their atrocities 3,000 miles away. The reality is that they are not a threat to anyone apart from the poor souls living in the Middle East.

Their ideology is completely unsustainable and they have far too many enemies. While they will not last, nor do they pose a physical threat to Europeans, the most damaging thing they are doing to us is creating an antipathy towards European Muslims and causing a very harmful social divide - but this is intentional.

This is of course completely true... but just think twice before adding a beard to any cartoons you draw.

 

[Baldseagull]

The IS are very real, but the perceived threat is greatly exaggerated as we are constantly bombarded with stories of their atrocities 3,000 miles away. The reality is that they are not a threat to anyone apart from the poor souls living in the Middle East.

Their ideology is completely unsustainable and they have far too many enemies. While they will not last, nor do they pose a physical threat to Europeans, the most damaging thing they are doing to us is creating an antipathy towards European Muslims and causing a very harmful social divide - but this is intentional.

If none of my neighbours in Crawley were joining them in Syria, or storing large amounts of fertiliser in lock ups near the airport, or blowing themselves up in Iraq, I might agree with you. There is a global rise in Islamic terrorism, the propaganda spread by IS reaches everywhere there is access to the internet, you are a fool if you think that what they are doing and saying is no threat to British civilians.

 

[Nibble]

but it is hyped. what Boko Haram is doing here is raising their profile - you'll note its a one way declaration of alliance. both groups are intent on establishing islamic states, and right now are restricting activity to their local areas. IS isnt a threat to the west as they are busy trying to build a state. Boko is the same as far as i can tell. they are scary people, and they are over there. in a post iraq world where we've decided we dont want to get involved in conflicts elsewhere, we should leave well alone, except to support affected neighbours when they ask for assistance (Turkey, Jordan). if they start exporting terrorism to us, then we must address that, but right now there is far more fear of that than evidnce of any planning on their behalf.

Just plain inaccurate and plain wrong.

 

[beorhthelm]

... we may have lost the military upper hand and it might be too late to do anything, other than, god forbid, use battlefield tactical nuclear weapons. I am not suggesting we invade Syria etc, but a bombing effort to degrade their capabilities, whilst inevitably not totally effective, might at least stave off their advances. It would seem that the recent reverses they have suffered came as a result of militias getting much American air support. Very sad that such issues need to be debated.

how can we lose the military upper hand when not properly engaged militarily? we have been using air power to contain and now push them back. so really we have been doing exactly as you suggest. as Mustafa says, the worst thing they are doing is encouraging anti-mulsim feeling in the west when in fact they arent doing anything tangible here. and most of the fear is being created by our own media, and those who want any excuse to attack non-white groups. we've been very gulible in falling for this.

 

[Nibble]

The IS are very real, but the perceived threat is greatly exaggerated as we are constantly bombarded with stories of their atrocities 3,000 miles away. The reality is that they are not a threat to anyone apart from the poor souls living in the Middle East.

Their ideology is completely unsustainable and they have far too many enemies. While they will not last, nor do they pose a physical threat to Europeans, the most damaging thing they are doing to us is creating an antipathy towards European Muslims and causing a very harmful social divide - but this is intentional.

Do you walk about with your eyes closed. Pick up a paper man.

Pathetic thread, daft, ill informed comments by the usual contingent. You d t know what you're babbling about and for that reason I'm out.

 

[beorhthelm]

Just plain inaccurate and plain wrong.

which part? the part about the unilateral declaration of alliance? the fact they are attempting to create states? they part where they are restricting their activity to that with in their area they control/trying to control? the fact we dont see any IS/Boko terrorism outside of their borders and immedite proximity? the fact the west has refused to put soldiers on the ground, instead relying on local forces, with air support? please, highlight where any of this is inaccurate or wrong.

 

[Nibble]

The IS are very real, but the perceived threat is greatly exaggerated as we are constantly bombarded with stories of their atrocities 3,000 miles away. The reality is that they are not a threat to anyone apart from the poor souls living in the Middle East.

Their ideology is completely unsustainable and they have far too many enemies. While they will not last, nor do they pose a physical threat to Europeans, the most damaging thing they are doing to us is creating an antipathy towards European Muslims and causing a very harmful social divide - but this is intentional.

I think the relatives of these people might have something to say about your ridiculous blatherings. Because it sure as hell affected them.


PARIS: Below is a list of executions of westerners this year by militants or movements linked to the jihadist Islamic State group.

* August 19, 2014: ISIS posts a video of the decapitation of US freelance photojournalist James Foley, who was seized in northern Syria in November 2012.

The video of Foley's killing, which provokes worldwide revulsion, also shows a second US reporter, Steven Sotloff, being paraded by a black-clad IS militant who warns that he too will be killed if US President Barack Obama does not stop air strikes on IS positions in Iraq.

* September 2, 2014: IS says it has beheaded Sotloff, in another propaganda video showing the ghastly killing.

The freelance reporter was kidnapped August 4, 2013, in Aleppo near Syria's border with Turkey. His abduction was kept secret under a news blackout.

* September 13, 2014: IS claims to have beheaded British aid worker David Haines, as the US launches a vast diplomatic offensive to build an international coalition against the jihadists.

Haines was seized by militants in March 2013, while working for a Paris-based non-governmental organisation.

* September 24, 2014: IS-linked Jund al-Khilifa, or "Soldiers of the Caliphate," claim to have beheaded French tourist Herve Gourdel following his abduction in Algeria, in a video posted online after Paris rejected their demand to halt air strikes in Iraq.

* November 16, 2014: The Islamic State group claims to have executed Peter Kassig, a US aid worker kidnapped in Syria, as a warning to the United States.

The same video showed the gruesome simultaneous beheadings of at least 18 men described as Syrian military personnel, the latest in a series of mass executions and other atrocities carried out by ISIS.

 

[Mr Bridger]

I think the relatives of these people might have something to say about your ridiculous blatherings. Because it sure as hell affected them.


PARIS: Below is a list of executions of westerners this year by militants or movements linked to the jihadist Islamic State group.

* August 19, 2014: ISIS posts a video of the decapitation of US freelance photojournalist James Foley, who was seized in northern Syria in November 2012.

The video of Foley's killing, which provokes worldwide revulsion, also shows a second US reporter, Steven Sotloff, being paraded by a black-clad IS militant who warns that he too will be killed if US President Barack Obama does not stop air strikes on IS positions in Iraq.

* September 2, 2014: IS says it has beheaded Sotloff, in another propaganda video showing the ghastly killing.

The freelance reporter was kidnapped August 4, 2013, in Aleppo near Syria's border with Turkey. His abduction was kept secret under a news blackout.

* September 13, 2014: IS claims to have beheaded British aid worker David Haines, as the US launches a vast diplomatic offensive to build an international coalition against the jihadists.

Haines was seized by militants in March 2013, while working for a Paris-based non-governmental organisation.

* September 24, 2014: IS-linked Jund al-Khilifa, or "Soldiers of the Caliphate," claim to have beheaded French tourist Herve Gourdel following his abduction in Algeria, in a video posted online after Paris rejected their demand to halt air strikes in Iraq.

* November 16, 2014: The Islamic State group claims to have executed Peter Kassig, a US aid worker kidnapped in Syria, as a warning to the United States.

The same video showed the gruesome simultaneous beheadings of at least 18 men described as Syrian military personnel, the latest in a series of mass executions and other atrocities carried out by ISIS.

You can't say "i'm out" and then come back in the door again with an even longer reply, bet your mrs wins all the arguments in your house.

 

[Hampster Gull]

You can't say "i'm out" and then come back in the door again with an even longer reply, bet your mrs wins all the arguments in your house.

She might like him going out then coming back in again, some like that

 

[Nibble]

You can't say "i'm out" and then come back in the door again with an even longer reply, bet your mrs wins all the arguments in your house.

I can do what the **** I like, it's an internet thread not a hostage negotiation.

 

[Megazone]

Do you walk about with your eyes closed. Pick up a paper man.

That's hardly walking with your eyes open.

 

[Baldseagull]

but it is hyped. what Boko Haram is doing here is raising their profile - you'll note its a one way declaration of alliance. both groups are intent on establishing islamic states, and right now are restricting activity to their local areas. IS isnt a threat to the west as they are busy trying to build a state. Boko is the same as far as i can tell. they are scary people, and they are over there. in a post iraq world where we've decided we dont want to get involved in conflicts elsewhere, we should leave well alone, except to support affected neighbours when they ask for assistance (Turkey, Jordan). if they start exporting terrorism to us, then we must address that, but right now there is far more fear of that than evidnce of any planning on their behalf.

We are exporting terrorists to join them, you think none of them will come back?