[Janice D. Soderling]

Yes, ISIS is dangerous. But it is not dangerous because of Islam. It is dangerous because it is totalitarian, because it is an extremist ideology. It is dangerous like Nazism, like Communism, both of which highjacked an ideology, namely socialism, and perverted it by turning it into a cult, a religion.

There is far too much ranting by people who have small brains and short memories. It wasn't long ago that the congressional and medial air was full of hatred for the French because they didn't want an invasion of Iraq. It makes me sick to see the pious babbling, not least among the Republican presidential candidates who are falling all over one another over who loves France and God most.

It wasn't long ago that people were boycotting wine and cheese. You can find this on the Internet if you have forgotten:

Freedom fries is a political euphemism for French fries in the United States. The term came to prominence in 2003 when the then Republican Chairman of the Committee on House Administration, Bob Ney, renamed the menu item in three Congressional cafeterias in response to France's opposition to the proposed invasion of Iraq. Although originally supported with several restaurants changing their menus as well, the term fell out of use due to declining support for the Iraq War. Following Ney's resignation as Chairman, it was quietly reverted.

I am an Obama fan, but his mention of France as "our oldest ally" was unfortunate and has set off a lot of ranting by pseudo-pious parrots.

The historic truth (if there is such a thing) is that France backed the US in the Revolutionary War in order to weaken their traditional enemy Britain. The French had just been defeated in the so-called French and Indian War and wanted to recoup their losses.

Democracy is no patent solution. Democracy will not work, as is evident in the United States today, unless it is borne up by a critical and informed populace. Democracy cannot force people to cooperate. Cooperation is a prerequisite for democracy.

Furthermore democracy cannot be imposed top down onto a population long subjected to an authoritarian government and with no or weak structures for self-rule. That opens the door to corruption. Furthermore even those who want democracy might not want the commercial trappings that seems to accompany it.

This is not to detract from the sorrow and pain left in the wake of the attack on Paris. Religion divides. Politics divides. Only our human state unites us

Less ranting, please, and less calling for a Supreme Parent, whoever he or she is, to step up to kiss the hurt and make it well by annihilating whoever we point at.

I would not be surprised if there weren't planned attacks on European soil every weekend until Christmas. This would turn many strong-hearted and weak-minded patriots against the unfortunate refugees looking for a haven. We should be aware that they are a pawn in the ISIS strategy because they have chosen to leave rather than become part of the so-called Caliphate. One of my fears is that European opinion will fall into that trap.

Warning for the faint-hearted. This may make you want to barf. http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/par...cifics-n463611