There isnt a person, today, in the world who isnt talking about Paris. Never been a fan of the place myself, if I'm honest, but today I am so overwhelmed with it all, that I take back every negative thought I have ever had. The fact that I think its too expensive and there are other places I would rather visit is entirely irrelevant. Because today the whole world has come together to show solidarity. And that includes me. And I actually feel bad that I've never been a fan.
But the whole terrorist thing is making me so emotive. I'm confused by it, I'm scared shitless by it but most of all I'm angered by it. Really really angered.
Today, someone is watching the fallout of last night and laughing and patting themselves on the back at a plan well executed. More than likely planning their next one. And none of us know where that will be, or what will happen. But we all know it WILL happen. Its more a case of "when" than "if". No one knows where it will happen. And I don't get how we're to combat that or them...
I guess we just carry on as normal. Continue to travel, continue to act as if it isnt always at the back of your mind that today could be the day. And I hear you when you say if we don't then they win. But I just don't get it. Because there are no winners. Not in this horrific battle of terror that no government is intellectually equipped to deal with. Because no one truly understands it at all.
I'm thinking that the IS have a massive issue with us invading Iraq way back when. And our torment in their country,I guess, is enough to get anyone enraged. But I didnt make that bloody decision. Neither did you, but its all of us that deal with the fear that that invasion has now created. I thought it was a crap idea at the time, the invasion that is, but we didnt know then what monsters we would create by doing it.
I dont want to make this into a "war right or wrong" blog, because personally I have to trust our government to do the right thing, whether I agree or not, because that's their job. But I also expect that governmnent to know what to do to make it right. And I genuinely dont think they do. And that scares the shit out of me.
And as I sit here today watching the news and trawling through social media I look at my children and wonder what their future holds. When I was growing up I remember the IRA. I didnt understand it but I knew it "went on in Ireland" so I never felt unsafe. But terrorism today, is a whole different ball game and I genuinely fear for the future of my children.
I've been overwhelmed with the "coming together" that the atrocities in Paris has created and its my fundamental belief that good has to overcome evil eventually, and I really hope that will be the case. Because I dont think the unity of ordinary people in the world can stop this onslaught. We will have to become bigger, better and much much cleverer.
I dont want to close our borders either. I think multi culturism is what makes the UK what it is, but we have to be much more careful about the whole situation and face up to the reality that their are a lot of angry young men and women (and for balance I reckon some not so young) who want to hurt us. And we have to wake up pretty bloody quickly. We need to be far more vigillant and much more in control of those who we want to join our country. That doesnt make me a racist, it makes me a realist. Because the truth is what we saw in Paris last night. We are all under attack, the lot of us, no matter where you live or who you are. Or what religion or race you are. There are no barriers, we all have a bullseye on our chest.
Tonight, Jurgen and I are just going to sit and enjoy our boys (if I can get them off Xbox). And watch a crap film together and just try and forget, for a while, that shitty "other" world that is threatening to fllood all of our lives.
And today my heart is with all of the victims. All of them.
