PARIS TERRORIST ATTACKS; COULD IT HAPPEN HERE?

A woman is being evacuated from the Bataclan theater after a shooting in Paris, Friday Nov. 13, 2015. French President Francois Hollande declared a state of emergency and announced
Death toll rises in Paris as French president calls attacks "act of war" by ISIS
French police on Saturday hunted possible accomplices of eight assailants who terrorized Paris concert-goers, cafe diners and soccer fans with a coordinated string of suicide bombings and shootings that killed 127 people. French President Francois Hollande, speaking to the nation, called the attacks "an act of war."
Really it's neither a matter of if they can happen here, nor how they will happen; but rather just a simple matter of WHEN they will happen here.
It doesn't really take too much effort to figure that out, now does it? Next year, when almost every nation on earth is respresented here in Brazil for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, becomes a safe bet with each passing day. The eyes of the world will be on Rio and that is best opportunity that ISIS will ever have to make their most powerful statement yet.
When a country as prepared for and accustomed to terrorist attacks still can't seem to prevent them, just imagine what is going to happen in Brazil, a country where our government can't see beyond their own navels, and is too involved in defending itself from scandal after scandal. Have they prepared for this eventuality? Yes, but just like everything else this government does it's all slapdash and improvised. ISIS knows that too, they're well aware that it will be a much easier task to carry out a major terrorist attack, or series of attacks, here in Brazil than in any other major nation on the planet.
Why here? Simple - ISIS has targeted every nation on earth that is allied with their declared enemies, the USA, UK and EU. Brazil's government doesn't miss an opportunity to align themselves with that group and our opportunistic president can't pass up the chance to make strong statements on the international stage supporting counter-attacks and military intervention. So, just as these major nations are in ISIS cross-hairs, so is Brazil.
When it happens, and it most surely will... attacks on the Olympic Games in Brazil will make the 1972 Munich massacre look like a picnic in the park by comparison. I'm glad that I live 4 hours north of "ground zero" and won't be going anywhere near Rio for 6 months before, during and after the events.
Trust me, with this country's lax immigration policies and doors wide open to refugees the scene is set for disaster, because I truly believe that all of the players who will be involved in such attacks are all already here in this country, just waiting for their marching orders.
Cheers,
James Expat-blog Experts Team
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How would you know if IS were doing the killing
spanishpete wrote:I think, it's already happening here, and everyone's is at it, The state, The police and The people, everyone seams to be killing everyone else
This is exactly what I said to my Brazilian friend on Friday as we watched the horror in Paris unfold. In Brazil, we have a different kind of "terrorism;" the level of senseless, unspeakable violence in this country is astounding. Brazilians should be less concerned with what is going on in Europe and the Middle East and more concerned with what's going on in their own country, cities, and backyards! I'd bet that more people are murdered here in Brazil every week at the hands of criminals and police - if you include the "unofficial" numbers - than the number of victims taken by the Paris tragedy. (My heart goes out to Paris and all the victims and their families.
)
Agree that the olympics will always be a target regardless of where they are hosted. But i think that Brazil is one of the few contries that is not even considered an "enemy" of the muslim radicals. First of all - if Brazil has a tread in their foreign policy, it is critisism of Israel and their treatment of the Palistinians - that is actually the only subject in foreign policy that seem to unite Dilma and her government.
The PT government is anything but aligned with the "USA, UK and EU" alliance. If they had any backbone they would support whoever is trying to defet this murderous, cowardly group that call themselves ISIS.
I am not a US citizen but i have to say i admire their willingness to send their own soldiers to die in foreign contries to defend ideas that we all should defend. - unfortunately EU is just a discussion club that never gets anything done - They would rather keep on talking for years without doing anything - i am old enough to remember the balkans and the slaughter of civilians that was going on there for 5 years before the world stopped talking and finally stopped it.
My impression is that Brazil is on the sideline when it comes to support of the "war against terror" but it would certainly be welcome if they went public with their condemnation and support of killing every last individual of ISIS like any other civilzed country on the planet should do.
As you probably understand i am very angry about what has happened in Paris
Then terriosem is is being cooked in Devils workshop every day be aware and becarefull when we play blame game we can only fuel the fire. We can only pray God destroy those enemy of humanity who plans and kills innocent humans it's rather in a club in Paris or a school full of children in Pakistan.
Also I was thinking if I go to do a crime would I take my passport with me. God knows best . May God save us from the evil mind of wrong doers.
My heart goes to every single innocent life lost in the terror attacksthat goes every day. Let us please remember most people killed in terrorist attacks are actully Muslims in the world . There are people who wake up every day not knowing they will be seeing tomorrow.
I still can not forget New York seem like yesterday in front of my eyes I toke my kids to see twin towers which are no more with many life's lost. Also can't forgot when 300 kids go to school in Pakistan and never return back home in . All of those parents were dreaming for their kids to be a doctor a lawyer etc just like I wish for my kids but alas they are no more......
My these terrorists kill themselves before even thinking about doing any act of evil. Amen
these terrorists don't have the same network here like they do in Brazil , it's far away from their home bases and
I think it may just prove to difficult for them in terms of logistics....
I'm not too worried about it but time will tell....Brazil is apparently stepping up security for 2016 after Paris
Cabo Frio wrote:Maybe if muslims stopped babbling about god every two minutes we could actually bring this world to a better place
I'm not religious at all. However, if faisalspower wants to talk about his religion then he should be allowed to, freely and without shame, as long as he's not hurting or personally offending anyone. It's called "freedom of religion" and most people in the world, regardless of whether they are religious or not, would respect this freedom. Like faisalspower said, the terrorists are a minority...and just as it's unfair to lump all Muslims in the same group, it's also unfair to suggest that if faisalspower were to shut up about God (i.e. stop practicing his religion), the world would be a better place. Please...let's not use hate to fight hate or ignorance to fight ignorance.
At the same time anyone should be able to talk against it at any time or at any place without risking anything execpt a rebruttal. This is exactly what this fight is about.
It is not acceptable to get personnally offended everytime someone says or post something you do not agree with - get over it. We have to many people who feel offended about bullshit all the time.
This is the definition of a free society.
Cabo Frio wrote:Of course anyone should be able to talk about their religion any time and at time.
At the same time anyone should be able to talk against it at any time or at any place without risking anything execpt a rebruttal. This is exactly what this fight is about.
It is not acceptable to get personnally offended everytime someone says or post something you do not agree with - get over it. We have to many people who feel offended about bullshit all the time.
This is the definition of a free society.
I don't think your your comment, "Maybe if muslims stopped babbling about god every two minutes we could actually bring this world to a better place," (which was obviously written in direct response to faisalspower's posts about religion and God) indicates that you actually practice what you preach:"This is the definition of a free society." In my opinion, your comment was meant to intimidate and shut others up, so no, your comment had nothing to do with a "free society."
"It is not acceptable to get personnally offended everytime someone says or post something you do not agree with - get over it. We have to many people who feel offended about bullshit all the time." Uh...okay. Now, I'm quite sure that you don't practice what you preach.
Lest you forgot already, you were the one who behaved as if you were offended by something you didn't agree with when you responded to faisalspower's post with that inapppropriate, rude comment about Muslims.You come off as awfully hypocritical. 
Just a few months ago the office of charlie hebdoe had a similar attach and then the whole globe agreed that free speech was the most important right we have.
Victoria - just because i reply to something does not mean i question their right to say it - i am just exercising my right to reply
We must be vigilant and be of caution the terrorists are patient and with porous borders these things can happen as the weapons used somehow made it into France as well as the materials used.
The world and countries cannot afford to be lax about those who wish to bring attention to whatever the cause might be. Brazil must remain on guard for anything can happen in this day and age, who knows how long the terrorist waited for the Paris planed attack as the terrorist are patient and cunning.
I understand the extra security yet it should be continuous diligent security not extra and it must be vigilant.
I am in agreement that caution and care is to be exercised and I am glad not to be near the Olympics for I see other things that the funds used for the games would have been put to better use for just an observation, I am still in awe of the World Cup stadiums. I will not be boating in the bay, just saying. Prayers and Respect for all who commented on this delicate subject.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/28/world … .html?_r=0
For those who weren't here in Brazil at the time, and don't think terrorism could happen here then you need to know a little bit about Massacre at Realengo on April 7, 2011. Wellington Menezes de Oliveira, a 23-year old Brazilian and recent convert to radical Islam, went on a shooting rampage at Tasso da Silveira Municipal School which left 12 children (between 13 and 16 years of age) dead, plus himself. This was not the random act of a lone madman by any means, although it was staged to look like one. It was a practice run for ISIS recruiting tactics, to see if they really worked on Brazilians.
We're going to see a few events here in Brazil in the 6 months prior to the Olympic games, and something major during the games themselves and I'm sure that the Brazlian government, no matter what they may believe, simply isn't prepared for or capable of handling them.
Cheers,
James Expat-blog Experts Team
Just the other day, I had told a Brazilian friend that because of the number of malcontent people in this country, Brazil would be a perfect "breeding ground" for terrorists. I hope that you and I are both wrong.Cheers,
James Expat-blog Experts Team
Brazil is very distant from international politics and should not be a target for terrorist attack. However Brazil is a Christian country (very much comparing to any countries in Europe) and Olympics are an easy target. These people (sorry these bastards) are looking for the maximum impact/progaganda so yes it could happen.
But we should not worry about that, this is what these people want.
Ultimately, every day same number of homicides happen here in Brazil and we live with it.
After 4 years in Brazil, I believe I got the local state of mind: over optimistic and relativising things.
I remember in Cape Town in the late 90's there was a series of pipe bomb attacks , one on a Planet Hollywood, A popular beach front Pizza restaurant and a few others . A lot of Bombs over a couple of months...I was even walking with some friends on the mountain when we heard one go off.
I don't remember been particularly afraid or worrying about it much , it was just one of those things , in a way it's more scary when you read the media hype than to actually be living in the same location.
Time will tell , in the meantime theres nothing anyone can do except hope that the authorities will be vigilant.
It is not its proximity, or it's politics that will make Brazil a target for terrorists attacks. It is the fact that all of the countries that ISIS has declared their holy war upon will be represented here. I guess that's something that a lot of people here don't seem to understand.
ISIS has, for a very long time, been using cult-like recruiting tactics and targets their candidates through the social networks. Like cults they target the weak, lonely and those who feel somehow disenfranchised. They devote hundreds of hours grooming and converting them to their radical ideologies and they're experts at it. Just as in the Paris attacks, most of the terrorists involved are "home-grown", that is they don't have to try and sneak too many participants into the country they choose to attack, they've already got a crop of them who were born and raised there. Brazil has hundreds of thousands of rejected, lonely, lost and confused young people who are ripe targets for ISIS brainwashing techniques, and who spend most of their time online just where ISIS can get at them.
ISIS also is very well aware of Brazil's complete inability to prevent illegal weaponry from entering this country through its pourous borders, so they'll get all the hardware they need with relative ease.
To me it's clearly no longer a question of IF, but more a question of WHEN.
Cheers,
James Expat-blog Experts Team
"Brazil has hundreds of thousands of rejected, lonely, lost and confused young people who are ripe targets for ISIS brainwashing techniques, and who spend most of their time online just where ISIS can get at them"
I think the chances of a young Brazilian getting hooked up through ISIS online are less than zero , it just does not work that way. Isis propaganda is geared towards getting disenfranchised Muslim youth in other countries to return to Syria and join the war or targeted at connecting with people who are already radicalized to help in their cause.
That kind of stuff is not easily available online without extensive searching and I find it hard to picture young Brazilians with not good or zero English surfing through social media largely in English and Arabic.
More often people are introduced to these radical elements within the community and then seek out further connections through social media.
Most Brazilians I know have barely ever even seen Muslims or just think they are too bizzare , Brazilians like short , tight clothing and don't understand the body covering . I don't think Islam appeals to 99.9% of the Brazilian youth at all.
Of course if they have strong ties to these countries through family then thats more of a possibility
Look at the Boston Bombers , they were text book cases.
I'm not saying an attack could not happen though , everyone knows that , it's openly in the media and the Brazilian government have spoken out about increased security as well.
take care
Wellington Menezes de Oliveira was non-Arabic, had never known any muslims before he was recruited online. This country is full of lots of others just like him. I really think that you're underestimating ISIS, their capabilities and their long reach.
The potential for attacks here in Brazil has NOTHING whatsoever to do with Brazil and EVERYTHING to do with the Olympics, and the fact that the whole world will be watching, also the fact that the Americans, British, EU, Russia and all of the sworn enemies of ISIS will be here. ISIS doesn't give a rat's ass about Brazil, to them it's a non-entity, what they care about is their holy war against everybody else who will be gathered here like sitting ducks.
Cheers,
James Expat-blog Experts Team
Maybe , but I disagree , I really don't see them having much success with the Brazilian youth , maybe I'm wrong
I think someone like Wellington Menezes de Oliveira was probably already a bit nuts and whatever he got involved in just acted as a trigger . If it hadn't been that it would have been something else.
That's exactly what ISIS counts on, loose cannons, little nobodies who they can c onvince they can turn them into somebody who will become a household word. Don't forget that to ISIS they're just disposable tools to be used and thrown away. Brazil is just full of young people just like that. Young people who also happen to be dirt poor, who can be made to feel important by being plied with the gifts and attention that ISIS is so skilled at using in their recruitment techniques. Kids who have grown up in a country where life has absolutely no value at all, not even their own in many cases. Kids who see death and carnage on a daily basis and have become numb to it. Do you still think that I'm that far off the mark?
Cheers,
James Expat-blog Experts Team
Cheers,
James Expat-blog Experts Team
stevefunk wrote:The world cup was terror free wasn't it?
Yes, you're right about that, but I think that was mostly for the following reasons:
1. The World Cup is not as large scale an event in terms of the number of athletes and support staff involved;
2. The World Cup was spread out over the whole of Brazil making it a logistical nightmare for planning and coordinating attacks, getting to the events, etc.;
3. The 2016 Olympic Games will be in a much smaller geographic area, attacks coordinated to happen one very shortly after another in Rio would send security forces and emergency crews scrambling off to one place, leaving the next vulnerable;
4. An attack on Rio would cause much more widespread panic and be front page news worldwide.
Thinking like ISIS, I wouldn't waste my efforts going after the second guy on the totem pole.... I'd go right for the top. The Olympic Games is the top athletic event in the whole world, the FIFA World Cup is number 2. Terrorists didn't waste their time attacking the Empire State Building, because the WTC was the prime target to go for and drew more attention to their cause.
Cheers,
James Expat-blog Experts Team
Cheers,
James
expat.com Experts Team
If World War 2 has taught us nothing else, it is Appeasement never works. Terrorists will always go for the soft targets. Brasil had better prepare. Charm will not be enough.
Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.
Niemöller is perhaps best remembered for the quotation:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Muslims find violence against the innocent abhornet. The majority of religions terrorism in Brazil is violence and intimidation of members of Afro-Brazilian religions by Evangelical Christians.
There maybe a case to make of possible terrorism in Brazil but there has to be a motive. I suggest if your want to raise this topic seriously you should be more discerning in your analysis. Almost a quarter of the world is Islamic. And I really don't see any of them having a problem with Brazil.
I agree that Brasil should ask for help in securing the events. I fear they will not due to pride.
As I said before, Brasil is not ready for this.
Truths Jews, Christians and Muslims Hold in Common
ISIS, ISL, Al Quaeda, nor anyone else has anything against Brazil. The only reason that there is a very real potential for terrorism here during the Olympics is that countries like the USA, UK, France, and others considered to be sworn enemies by these groups will concentrated here. Simple as that!
John, terrorism is not about religion, never has been. It's all about politics and the fact that too many countries can't seem to resist the overwhelming desire to interfere in the internal politics of other sovereign nations for various reasons, like control of petroleum, strategic location, political interests in neighboring nations... you name it, they use it as justification to poke there noses in where it doesn't belong. And that's exactly why, if we didn't have the Olympics, Brazil would never have to worry about terrorism because they don't go stirring up hornets nests everywhere they go.
Cheers,
James
expat.com Experts Team
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