In a way, it’s almost worse when Islamic extremists don’t use weapons or explosives in their attack. With 9/11 – the only weapon used were boxcutters –they showed they can do just as much damage with everyday vehicles such as planes and trucks as with semi-automatic rifles (and occasionally, fully automatic), handguns, and explosives.
Meanwhile, let’s take a moment to visit what makes France a target.
It’s the largest Muslim community in Europe.
Five centuries of French oppression of Algeria.
France’s aggressiveness toward Libya, Syria, and the Islamic State.
The power it once held in Syria, Lebanon, and elsewhere in the Middle East.
The banlieues (suburbs) full of jobless young Muslim men.
President François Hollande said:
“France has been struck on the day of her national holiday,” he said. “Human rights are denied by fanatics, and France is clearly their target.”
You can change that to read that soon, “Civil rights are denied by fanatics.” Such as the far right. Marine Le Pen, president of France’s National Front, Marine Le Pen, stands to benefit the most from this attack that may, once and for all, drive most of France to adopt a staunchly anti-immigrant stance, by becoming elected next president of France.