Bomb Took Jet, Hollande Asks for Power
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Vol. 4, No. 321
War in the Air: Russia says it was definitely a bomb that took down a chartered airliner over the Sinai desert two weeks ago. Explosive residue was found in the wreckage. Alexander V. Bortnikov, the head of the country’s Federal Security Service, said, “We can say definitely that this was a terrorist act.” While the Islamic State has claimed responsibility, this is the first confirmation that a bomb blew up the jet with 224 people on board.
Today both the Russians and the French were bombing Islamic State targets in Syria.
War in Paris: Telling his parliament “France is at War,” French President Francois Hollande asked for constitutional amendments to allow stronger security measures, including the power to conduct broader surveillance, execute warrantless police raids, and put people under house arrest. He called for the power to “eradicate” the Islamic State abroad.
Today the hunt goes on for Salah Abdeslam, a key figure in the attacks. Security forces conducted more than 100 additional raids.
The War at Home: Amid calls to send troops to destroy the Islamic State after the Paris attacks, President Obamas said yesterday during a press conference in Turkey that he’s not going to do something to make himself or America look tough. He said, “If you have a handful of people who don’t mind dying, they can kill a lot of people. That’s one of the challenges of terrorism.”
Obama is in Turkey for the G-20 summit. He said he’s not going to divert from his current strategy; “Which focuses on going after targets, limiting wherever possible the capabilities of ISIL on the ground — systematically going after their leadership, their infrastructure, strengthening Shia — or strengthening Syrian and Iraqi forces and Kurdish forces that are prepared to fight them, cutting off their borders and squeezing the space in which they can operate until ultimately we’re able to defeat them — that’s the strategy we’re going to have to pursue.”
Right This Way: Republican politicians are falling all over each other to make hay out of the Paris attacks. Leading presidential candidate Donald Trump said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that the US might have to scrutinize mosques to curb the recruitment of terrorists. “I would hate it do it,” he said, “but it’s something that you’re going to have to strongly consider because some of the ideas and some of the hatred, the absolute hatred, is coming from these areas.”
Most of the ISIS recruitment is known to happen online, not in mosques.
Ben Carson said the US should end funding to a program to give safe passage to Syrian refugees. Jeb Bush said the US should focus on taking in Christian refugees rather than Muslims.
NIMBY: The governors of 26 states, more than half the country, have said that they are opposed to allowing Syrian refugees into their states. It’s not their call, though. It’s up to the federal government who’s allowed into the country, and after that the refugees can go where they want. It’s America.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations said, ” Governors who reject those fleeing war and persecution abandon our ideals and instead project our fears to the world.”
Winning!: After months of rumors, Charlie Sheen, the brilliant but troubled sitcom actor, was expected to reveal today on NBC that he has HIV, the virus that causes Aids. Howard Bragman, a respected Hollywood PR man, confirmed it to the NY Times. Sheen has long admitted that he used drugs and hired the company of prostitutes.
Heavy Weather: It’s blizzarding in Denver and the Rockies today while rough weather moves east. At least 10 tornadoes touched down in Kansas yesterday.
The Business Page: The Marriott chain is buying Starwood hotels. The light bulbs in the reading lamps will still be 40 watts.
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