Be Excellent To Each Other

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30710883

Islamist Extremists shoot 12 people

Gunmen got away and shouted "we have avenged the Prophet Muhammad" according to witnesses.

I've read that title and my first thought was "I've seen that sextape"

You clearly haven't

I said I'd seen it, not remembered it.

Obviously this is sad and terrible news as is any act of terrorism or action against freedom of speech and opinion.

Does anyone else get a bit fatigued by the number of people that fall over themselves on Twitter to prove how forward thinking and liberal they are, though, as if we all need to prove, every time something happens, that we are not right-wing reactionary nutters? Because I don't immediately hit Twitter to prove that I am not racist, don't hate a particular religion, gender or sexual orientation, do people immediately assume me to be some kind of facist nut-job?

I get most confused by the number of posts that say things like 'muslim gunmen have been blamed for Paris shootings. Going to have to avoid Twitter for a few hours to avoid the anti-muslim hate tweets'

Why are those people following accounts that they think will post hate speech? I know that I have never looked at Twitter and seen any of the people that I follow spout hate-speech. And if I ever did they'd be un-followed.

I'm sure I could find it if I went looking for it, much like everywhere else on the internet, but I'd have to actively seek it out. But why, unless I wanted to use it in my need to publicly prove how enlightened I am?

I'd like to imagine that among my friends and the people I follow on Twitter it is not enlightened to not be a bigoted, blinkered moron. I'd hope that it was 'normal' for the people that I choose to actively follow that they are balanced and understanding to the point where they don't think it is a superior state to be in amongst friends.

I am rather happy that I un followed the father we met in Egypt who added me to facebook before I discovered he was dedicated BNP.

I think twitter aversion comes from three sources. Accidental follows (where someone reveals their true colors after an event like this), people who you follow despite them having the odd flaw (though can't think anyone who falls into this category) and people retweeting the bad shit they see as an example, which is where I see most offensive stuff come through.

I like to imagine (we all do) that our friends and family are of a same mind to us. But both my parents and in laws had conversations which strayed a long way into UKIP territory over Christmas, my brother has just shared a Britain first post on it (and I know full well he isn't racist or islamaphobic). Some you just can't avoid.

I can understand the first two sources in some sense. Accidental follows where yo like someone's Star Wars nerd jokes but don't know that they like to burn flags to keep the inner glow - I can see that happening. It's not happened to me, but if it did I would un-follow.

The second, because I am not close to my family and don't feel pressured to follow anyone on twitter and Facebook I can avoid easily, but can imagine it's not easy for others.

I'm not sure I quite understand the third, though. The people re-tweeting it to prove how wrong it is - why are they following them? If they're not then is it just being shared around? And if you want to speak out against what that person is saying then why not reply rather than re-tweeting? I'm sure that half of the time these people that say obviously outlandish and hateful things do it because they like the energy and reaction it drives up. That 'journalist' woman - Katy Holmes? - drives a whole career from being a dick and getting people on Twitter to spread her poo around the farmyard.

I just came in here to tell you that I'm not racist.

I am 110% xenophobic though.

Get off mah planet you xeno's!!!

Sorry, forgot which thread I was in for a minute there.

I don't think I understand what you mean, Craster.

See 'ghost in the shell' thread for details.

Or save your sanity and don't.

Ah, I hadn't seen it. Sorry if I have gone over old ground, I didn't realise that there might have been similar discussions in other threads. I kind of graze the forums now as I don't get chance to look at work and usually come home and crumple into a heap. It's only because Russell has rather amazingly decided to wash up that I am onesie-ing it up on the sofa.

Pics or it didn't ... etc

I didn't see this but now I've posted my two cents just, cause, LIKE ME PEOPLE LIKE ME.

Of Russ washing up, natch.

Natch. You have many already seen my onesie, anyway.

Looks like they're going for the Butch Cassidy ending in a small village in France.

People are saying they have hostages as well so bound to be more innocent people die before this is finished.

Doubt they will give themselves up.

Another situation in a supermarket in the Paris suburbs now as well. Jesus.

I'm not sure o the source as it was bein read aloud to e a little earlier, but there are some places at least reporting that the place they are holed up is 8 minutes from Cd'G airport and all flights have been grounded on teh suspicion thatthey have rocket launching capabilities and are currently holding at least one hostage.

BBC news also reports that local r4sidents have been told to remain indoors with lights off.

Figures. There was the petrol station hold-up yesterday by people who are suspected to be the same, and they held it up with Rocket Launchers. Which is an unusual approach to take to hold up a petrol station.

I assume that the one in Paris is the same as yesterday's shooting, and probably the third man from the original attack.

There are 2 going on now, they have the 2 from the newspaper shooting surrounded in a warehouse and also another guy in a Jewish supermarket with 5-7 hostages 2 of which are dead.

They think the supermarket gunman is the someone who shot a Policeman after the newspaper shootings

Looks like the one in Porte de Vincennes is to negotiate the release of the 2 Charlie Hebdo killers - they've just started the siege on them in Dammartin-en-Goele

2 down, 1 to go (or possibly all three down)

All dead now, sadly along with 4 hostages

Indeed. It looks like the French did a very good job in managing the two situations but it's almost impossible to prevent them killing hostages if they are determined.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-30754959

Abu Hamza been given life in the US, Judge also was having none of his complaining that he shouldn't be banged up in a Supermax as he has no hands and one eye.

She said its up to the Feds where he goes so a I guess in will be Supermax

I've accidentally stumbled across the video of the wounded police officer being shot in the head. Fuck me, I feel sick. How the fuck did that get on youtube?

I hope those scumbags burn in hell.

I found the still photo of that unpleasant enough.

Me, too.

I think France has just pulled an inspired piece of satire by gaoling someone who said something that might upset some people.