kdrk888 wrote: Peire wroteI have just contacted my sister and her family in Paris.Fortunately they did not suffer.EU MUST act together now against fanatic islamists instead of blaa,blaaa,blaaa and doing nothing.I know this is not a place to talk politics but the way it goes, in 20 or 30 years, Europe, or at least some countries in Europe, will have a very different face and will lose their heritage, culture, and identity. Sad but a scary thought. The more scary part is most of the politicians don't give a damn. Those countries are not melting pots like the U.S., they have long history, culture, identity, which may disappear or change fundamentally, what a shame.
Douglas
Politics is all around.Dread the political correctness!.France is lost in the near future.The area between Garonne and Rhone rivers to the south looks like a land dominated by islamic people.Paris would probably follow soon.
Observed ratio between original French people and Arabs in that region is 1 to 3 in the streets. At primary schools,1:5.
If one doubts,it is enough to take some time and go round at about 12:00 in the little towns of Provence or Perigord.
Marseille was like that even in the early 90ties.Now (2015) it looks like a pure arabic city.
It is a matter of a relatively short time ,(20-25 years ,I guess), before they overcome in France.Germany is the next target to follow,but knownig Germans,I believe,that they will be able to thame the risk.To some extent at least.
I mourn over the Good,Old ,Magnificent and Mysterious Europe,where every smallest village has a thousand years tail to tell.I mourn over Europe that I always loved,and am wholehearthedly identified with.The very succession and heritage of what was the best in the Greco-Roman culture,brought significantly up to the available heights and developed with the aid of the rest of European nations (Germans ,Slaves,Scandinavians).
United Europe - That greatest undertaking was possible after hundreds of years of horror,long lasting wars,mass murders and religious/political upsets.The highest price must have beeen paid for maturation of this organism and more or less wellfare.
All those should always been appreciated and never forgot.The only thing I can say is that I will never give up with doing whatever I can to keep my beloved Europe alive!
I just took ownership of a Voigtlander Ultron 35/1.7. Mr. Reeve, thank you for your review of the lens! Here are some of the first random shots. I love the size of this lens and the look is typically 'Voigtlander'. I'll be comparing this to the FE35/1.4 over the coming days.
I'm a little late with the thoughts and prayers to everyone, but we spent the last day making sure some co-workers of mine who are traveling in Paris were ok. Thankfully we heard from them today, and they are alright.
Philippe, my heart goes out to you and your your family. I can only send my thoughts and prayers, I wish I could send more.
Michiel, I am glad you are home safe and sound.
After I got the phone call from some co-workers, I was able to breath a little easier. So I took a walk to the woods behind our house:
I was very sorry to hear about the terrible events in Paris and Beruit, and relived to hear our friends are safe. I would note there are 67 million people in France in 2015. In 2009, at the very most 4.5 million are of "possible" Muslim faith, or about 7.5% of the population today. 10% of the population of Russia is Muslim.
I know we all abhor the violence in Paris. I feel expressions of concern and support are totally appropriate. Statements which go beyond this to speculate on the roots of the violence invite a response and will inevitably lead to political debate. I'm not sure this is the right place for it.