Bernie Sanders calls Paris terrorists cowards and France "first friend" of the United States

[BeyondGeography]

Perfect.

Bernie Sanders Calls Paris Terrorists Cowards As Death Toll Passes 150 In France

In response to the terrorist attacks in Paris, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) called the terrorist cowards and stood in solidarity with France.

In a statement, Sen. Sanders said, “We are all horrified by the cowardly attacks against innocent civilians in Paris. I offer my sympathy to the victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with the people of France, the first friend of the United States.”

...Sen. Sanders is correct. The actions of the terrorists were cowardly. If the attack was carried out by ISIS, this could be the event that rallies the world into a unified effort against an organization that has moved more into international terrorism. At publication time, no organization has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

http://www.politicususa.com/2015/11/13/bernie-sanders-calls-paris-terrorists-cowards-death-toll-passes-150-france.html

[LiberalElite]

1. Kick! nt

[elleng]

2. I don't mean this to disrespect Senator Sanders,

but why does he (and many others) refer to the perpetrators of such events as COWARDS?

I've never understood it, has little meaning and can only further inflame.

[Rex]

3. Because they blow up people in crowds, the method they use is cowardly.

If they drove down the streets in tanks, he would not call them cowards. That is it.

[Reter]

35. I feel using tanks would be more cowardly

More protection. No matter what we call them, they are filthy scum.

[Rex]

42. Well I was explaining what he said, that is all.

My own personal feelings are they are filthy scum no matter what they use.

[NonMetro]

4. Bernie's just telling it like it is.

It's cowardly to ambush unarmed, innocent people with automatic weapons and bombs.

[Half-Century Man]

11. Like drones. nt

[NonMetro]

31. You're right. nt

[Hortensis]

33. No, it's evil, but it's not cowardly. Quite the opposite.

Whatever their many failings as human beings are, we know these religious zealots are brave since most expect to die in the act or shortly after.

EllenEng's right. Words have meaning.

[NonMetro]

41. Well, maybe we should erect a statue to their "bravery" in attacking unarmed

Men, women, and children?

BTW, suicide is not an act of bravery, either. Usually it's just very sad, but in the case of these Jihadists who kill themselves to to the glory of Allah, and to get the "30 black eyed virgins" (I've heard it's up to 72 now) it's just sick!

[BeyondGeography]

5. The choice they make is a coward's choice

It's an inhuman and delusionary shortcut to God and glory. I see nothing wrong with shaming them by labeling it cowardly.

Sanders routinely calls Republicans who work to deny people the right to vote cowards (something all D's should do). It's a powerful word, and he uses it well.

[GusBob]

6. They attack innocent and peaceful people

They slaughter people who can't fight back

They are afraid of anyone else

[smirkymonkey]

43. +1000

[KeepItReal]

7. "lack of courage to face danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc."

That is the very definition of Cowardice.

Seeking to inflict punishment on those who offer no opposition or pose any danger to you.

[pnwmom]

17. Because surprise attacks against innocent, unarmed people of all ages is cowardly. nt

[jwirr]

21. It may inflame but it is a good discription of a bunch of men

taking machine guns into a building filled with young unarmed people and killing them. A cowardly act is one which is aimed at unarmed people who cannot defend themselves.

Bernie did not call everyone cowards he called what this group did a cowardly act.

[senz]

24. Because they can't stand face to face with their adversaries

and work it out like adults.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

45. Yes, obviously.

"Evil" is an accurate description of this act; "cowardly" is not.

[Le Taz Hot]

27. I used to have respect for you

until this comment. <flush>

[marle35]

32. I agree with you

I think it's important that we use the right words. It doesn't help to understand the attackers by using words that don't apply. It's potentially misleading.

COWARDLY : afraid in a way that makes you unable to do what is right or expected

I agree with the second part ("unable to do what is right or expected&quot , but not the first part.

Anyone feel free to put me on ignore.

[geek tragedy]

34. they attack people who can't fight back nt

[senz]

36. It looks like some commenters didn't understand your question.

I was dismayed to see a couple of hostile reactions. Apologies on behalf of Bernie supporters, elleng. We hear so many bogus attacks on him that it's hard not become over-reactive.

Like you, I occasionally find common phrases illogical and am curious about their derivations. I believe most Bernistas appreciate you and your intelligent, measured posts. Hope you're enjoying this lovely Saturday!

[elleng]

37. Thanks, senz.

I appreciate your thoughtful response.

Heading out to the river now, and do plan to enjoy the views and foliage.

[senz]

39. Sounds wonderful.

Enjoy!

[KingCharlemagne]

44. Since at least 3 of the 4 died in gun battles with the pro.ice, I agree that coward is only

Correct for its connotations, notbits denotation. I prefer to use the term 'irregulars' because there isn't so much emotional baggage tied up with it.

[rhett o rick]

46. If you don't like coward, what would you label them? Good soldiers?

And I doubt that me calling them cowards will inflame them more that drones killing innocent children.

[Rogue Democrat]

8. Where is Clinton's statement on the Paris attack?

[JonLeibowitz]

10. Let's not turn GD into GDP; this isn't about partisanship and the primary contest. Please. Thanks

[Rogue Democrat]

19. I had no intention of doing that.

Just wondered if all candidates, which includes O'Malley and the clown car candidates (and they were clearly predictable)

http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2015/11/13/paris-attacks-2016-candidates-reaction/

[ColesCountyDem]

29. She no longer has any official government capacity.

Posts like this should be in GD-P.

[daleanime]

12. Truly uncalled for....

[Le Taz Hot]

28. No worse than an O'Malley supporter

(and soon-to-be Hillary supporter) questioning Bernie's use of the word "coward," (which they ARE!).

[LovingA2andMI]

16. This does not belong....

In this thread. Whatever Clinton says is what she says. This is about WHAT BERNIE SAID.... #FYI!

[Fuddnik]

18. I saw on the 11 pm news that she put out a tweet.

Don't remember what she said though.

[Cheese Sandwich]

9. Been avoiding Paris news like the plague all day

I can't watch it. I still don't even really know what happened over there but I know it's horrible.

[daleanime]

15. I was out having dinner with the kids....

just found out about it. Give yourself plenty of time, this is a bad one.

[arthritisR_US]

13. Can't disagree with him. nt

[LovingA2andMI]

14. K/R!!!

Bernie Love and Love Bernie Standing with the People of France in this Time of Tragedy!

[thucythucy]

20. Bernie is right to say France was "our first friend."

Without French intervention in the American Revolution we'd still be a British colony, or at the very least the revolution would have taken years if not decades longer to succeed.

I've always hated French bashing, and I'm glad Bernie acknowledges just how much we owe, historically, to France.

[appalachiablue]

23. The efforts of Dr. Franklin, Lafayette, Rochambeau and our ally France in the American Revolution

helped us win independence from Britain. Our Statue of Liberty in New York is a 19th century gift from France.

Vive La France!

[senz]

38. Beautiful graphic, appalachiablue.

You have a good eye; I always enjoy your graphics.

Yes, France has always been our friend, and Bernie understands this. I was angry when righties were putting them down for correctly disapproving Dubya's invasion of Iraq -- "freedom fries" and all that nonsense.

[Cleita]

22. Bernie needs protection. He could be next.

You'd think these morons would go after the neo-cons who caused this shit to begin with. I mean GWB and his crew. They won't. They would rather go after the person or persons that we love and Bernie is one of those persons.

[thucythucy]

30. I'm not sure which batch of "morons" you mean.

I have several groups in mind, but there's no point in me speculating. But yes, the Sanders campaign should definitely be thinking about security.

The problem is: how do you run a grassroots campaign, which relies on meeting people ("pressing the flesh" as they used to say) and still provide some reasonable level of protection? But despite this, I'm hoping the Sanders campaign is devoting some time to security issues. Any repeat of the events of 1968 would be an incalculable tragedy for this nation.

[senz]

25. Bernie is in the habit of saying what he thinks

so what he says is genuine from his head and heart.

When you can do that, life is so much simpler. It's great that he has that ability.

[alcibiades_mystery]

40. Oh my Gawd Bernie didn't mention every other terrorist attack of the last two months

in the statement?????

He must be a Eurocentric racist!