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Post by lugg on Nov 16, 2015 18:40:25 GMT
I can understand how that must make you feel bjd. The more I read about this atrocity, the more I worry that its a long haul ahead. ISIS/ISIL seems to be developing their terrorist strategy at an alarming rate.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2015 18:43:02 GMT
Today I decided that it was time to visit the murder sites. It is an area that I know very well, too, and even though I have never visited any of the cafés or restaurants that were targeted, I have often been to other places just a door or two or a block away. I have been to concerts at the Bataclan two or three times over the years. I took quite a few pictures, but for a start, I thought I would just show the reporters at work today, all at the same time, standing only a few metres from each other and probably giving wildly divergent points of view about certain things, probably like the parable about the three blind men and the elephant. But they were all quite sincere and probably devoted to their profession, so I will not criticise their constant rehashing of the same things over and over again. I was there around 15:00 meaning that the ones for North America were giving their reports for the morning news.
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Post by chexbres on Nov 16, 2015 20:35:43 GMT
I liked seeing these photos. Not sure how I'll feel about the ones that will follow...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2015 21:20:37 GMT
I missed a final newsman in that set. Of course, I could have photographed 50 more, in view of the number of news vans on site. No one died at Place de la République but since last January it has become the symbolic place for commemoration of this sort of thing. In recent months, most of the final vestiges of the Charlie Hebdo and Hypercacher massacres had disappeared. The new things will take much longer to go away. The motto of the city of Paris, Fluctuat nec mergitur meaning Any Port in a Storm Tossed but not sunk, has become one of the common slogans since Friday 13.
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Post by questa on Nov 16, 2015 22:11:34 GMT
What goes around, comes around. While the younger members of society here join in the communal sorrow of the world, some of us of my generation still remember the French Government conducting nuclear tests in our Pacific atmosphere against world approval.
The Government then committed a terrorist act by ordering the blowing up the Greenpeace ship "Rainbow Warrior" with loss of life, while in a "friendly" NZ port.
That the same Government then broke the terms of the release of the prisoners and gave them a hero's welcome back to France left many of us wondering who our "friends" really were.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2015 22:21:45 GMT
And do you think that the Germans are still Nazis, too?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2015 22:30:00 GMT
Paris is not France. France is more than its government. I'm part French, and I mourn.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 16, 2015 22:34:02 GMT
Really like the way you put up the reporter pictures, as it does give a real sense of being there. I'm assuming that their employers did not send out the name brand reporters for this stage of the tragedy. These you show are stuck not only rehashing stuff, but also having to stand there in that weird turned-off for live feeds, while being asked impossible questions by comfortable anchors back at the station.
I'll ask one of those questions now: what was the prevalent mood of the bystanders at the scenes of the attacks and at the Place de la République?
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Post by htmb on Nov 16, 2015 22:39:14 GMT
Bixa, I recognize at least two top US news reporters in those pictures, David Muir and Leslie Stahl.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 16, 2015 22:55:18 GMT
Eighteen years of not watching US network news will do that to a person!
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Post by htmb on Nov 16, 2015 22:56:03 GMT
At least 129 people have died and more than 352 have been seriously injured. Young people in their twenties and thirties, many of them. Most just out having a nice time with friends. Innocent people. To say "what goes around, comes around" is insensitive, thoughtless and cruel at a time when families, friends, and a whole city - a whole country - of people are mourning, in shock, and wondering what happens next.
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Post by whatagain on Nov 16, 2015 23:59:23 GMT
I have always found Anyport a very civilized site. Not one people can boast they are free of slaughtering neighbours.
Syrians between themselves Serbians vs bosniacs. Huttus vs Tutsis cambodians among themselves Nazis vs jews and a long list Russians among themselvs : kulaks, priests, etc. Ulster catholics against protestants and vice versa uropeans among themselves during 2 times 4 or 5 years. Japanese against Chinese, Koreans and some Europeans Turks vs Armenians Frenchs vs Mexicans Frenchs vs Spanish US against Seminoles and some other native americans. Belgians vs Congolese (globally europeans vs Africans) South African among themselves Spanish against Mayas European crusaders vs Arabs European cursaders against cathars, Russians and some others Northmen against Saxons Mongols vs Chinese, Middle east Ostrogoths vs Romans Romans against everybody Greeks against Persians Egyptians against ? (Ramses and his first 'tanks') Cro Magnons against neighbours
Feel free to add those I forgot... Don't know much against slaughters involving Indians, Australians, South Americans...
Somebody feels his nation is above others ? I doubt it. I doubt it very much. I felt the people here on this board are much more intelligent than some stupid egocentric nationalists on some other forums.
After all, we are born where we are borne by accident. Or because it is our destiny because we belong to a superior race/religion/ethnic group ?
I was born by accident, so I guess being born in Belgium was not a choice.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2015 1:23:45 GMT
I am feeling a profound sense of sadness and shock at the insensitivity of the aforementioned post.
I have always felt APIAS to be a "safe" place where we can come together and commiserate with one another, even when at times, we agree to disagree.
To make such a statement at this time when we are still in shock and mourning at the barbaric acts that took place taking innocent peoples lives goes beyond anything I have ever encountered on this forum.
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Post by questa on Nov 17, 2015 1:33:49 GMT
Yes, my country has blood on its hands and is no better than any other. I apologise for the insensitive use of the opening phrase...that was stupid and uncalled for.
Most Australians are shocked and horrified by the Paris bombings. There are mourners making shrines of candles and flowers as there are around the world.
The memories of the Bali Bombings of 2002 and 2005 which killed over 200 people including 90+ Australians are still fresh. Your grief is shared by a country who also lost its young innocent people in their prime.
Australian Air Force activity against ISIL is second only to the USA. They are doing bombing raids almost around the clock. As a consequence of this our national security level is 2... "likely to be an attack".
As the only active Australian on APIAS I try to reflect what is happening here to my fellow members scattered in different places. I am truly sorry for the distress I have caused.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2015 5:36:09 GMT
I'll ask one of those questions now: what was the prevalent mood of the bystanders at the scenes of the attacks and at the Place de la République? The mood was quite somber of course, but I did not see any tears. Perhaps 48 hours is long enough for a shell to form over most people's emotions. There was one somewhat jarring situation, though. All of the technical crews for the media were laughing and joking among themselves as though they were on holiday. Which of course they are, compared to so many places they have to go to cover catastrophes. I imagine that gallows humour comes with the job as a way of maintaining sanity.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2015 5:48:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2015 6:18:32 GMT
I braced myself to go to the Batalan next...
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 17, 2015 6:39:02 GMT
Probably those technical crews were exhausted and bored by that time, too. There are no smiles on any faces in the crowds, though. That photo right after the closeup of the bas relief on the monument is a great piece of photo-journalism, and a killer photo besides -- all those solemn people who appear to have shown up individually, the obviously watchful cops, the wall of news vans, then -- right smack in the middle -- the trudging guy with the bag printed with those mellow admonishments.
The juxtaposition of the the floral tributes with the bullet-pierced and shattered glass somehow brings home again the horror and also that those killed were not just faceless "victims", but a collection of individuals.
Thanks for getting out there and bringing us this report.
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Post by bjd on Nov 17, 2015 8:27:27 GMT
I find that placing bottles of wine is highly symbolic -- not only of France, but also of enjoyment, pleasure, company -- all things Islamic fundamentalists seem to hate.
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Post by mossie on Nov 17, 2015 8:41:11 GMT
Thanks for all these moving photos Kerouac. I was only thinking last night that Republique will be my first visit as soon as I am organised in my hotel. I guessed there would still be reminders left there.
All very sad and unnecessary
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Post by htmb on Nov 17, 2015 11:18:02 GMT
Visiting these sites must have been extremely difficult.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2015 11:25:31 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2015 12:55:23 GMT
These photos are so very moving. The bullet shattered windows are particularly chilling.
I agree with BJD regarding the placement of the wine bottles (I do have to wonder how long they will remain in place as I imagine that some "down and out" street people may seize the opportunity out of desperation to pilfer them).
May I ask for a translation of the poster near the hospital?
Thanks for getting out and taking these photos Kerouac. It could not have been easy.
Good for you Mossie. I think that site would likely be my first stop. (I hope your ear infection is better).
Thanks again K2.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2015 14:51:47 GMT
The poster by the hospital is for the psychological unit of the city hall of the 10th arrondissement. "It will take place at the nursery school. It is for victims who were witnesses of the attacks. Sunday 15 november from 10am to 7pm."
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Post by mich64 on Nov 17, 2015 17:38:28 GMT
It has been reported that the rental car of the suspect being sought has been located in the 18th and the area is now being searched. Reporters are speculating now if he missed attacking his target or if he had this route planned to be able to escape.
Kerouac it must have been very unsettling to walk through and take photos of the areas where the attacks took place. I am sorry that you and all citizens and visitors are again having to cope with the horrific murders by these terrorists. I am having difficulty finding words to express my support for the bravery to you all that are out on the streets defying fear and expressing with pride and dignity your rights to peace and freedom.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2015 18:52:10 GMT
Life goes on in Paris, just like it did in NYC in September 2001. There is no other possibility. Obviously, there is a change in attitudes, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.
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Post by htmb on Nov 17, 2015 19:29:56 GMT
What a sad and gruesome job assignment that must be, but it's something that must be done. I'm grateful for people who do that kind of work, and also appreciative of the efforts you've made to photograph these scenes, Kerouac.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2015 19:36:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2015 19:50:40 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2015 20:08:25 GMT
Croquembouche always wins.
Now, I don't want to seem insensitive, or banal, or heartless, but I can never see the point of the tons of flowers, stuffed animals and candles. I guess I don't feel the need to leave a physical remnant of my own existence at a place where others have lost their lives. All I can think of is the mess it makes, and who cleans it all up?
The first time I remember those sorts of mass leavings was at the gates of Buckingham Palace after Princess Di's death. Sure, I've seen the occasional bouquet left at a memorial for a fallen hero of the Resistance and such, but never literally acres of, well, crap, anytime before that. Am I completely wrong? Has this always been a thing?
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