Everyone knows about the attacks that took place in Paris on November 13th. 8 armed terrorists - identified to allegedly have ties to the Islamic militant radical group ISIS - attacked 6 different locations in Paris before detonating their suicide vests. They managed to kill 129 randomly involved victims, and injure 352 more across Paris. Makes everyone want to go out and destroy ISIS, doesn't it? No need to mention the fact that it's one of the biggest international news stories of the entire year (but I will anyway). Everyone is modifying their Facebook profile pictures to the red white and blue of the French flag...people are sharing pictures of the their personal travels to Paris complete with "meaningful" hashtags...shared photos of the Sydney Opera House, the London Eye, the walls of Jerusalem, the Christ The Redeemer Statue, the Brandenburg Gate, the Tower Bridge, the One World Trade Center spire, and the San Francisco City Hall all lit up with the colors of the French Flag... It's brought calls for the world to seek revenge on ISIS en masse. It has also brought many calls from the political right in the US to bring forward measures to enact legislation to "control" those of the Muslim faith.

 

 

 

Who here remembers the Garissa University attacks in Kenya, though? This attack was shockingly comparable, and took place only 7 months ago. 5 armed terrorists - identified to allegedly have ties to the Islamic militant radical group al-Shabab - converged on multiple buildings of the campus in northeast Kenya, taking over 700 hostage. Then they proceeded to release their Muslim hostages, and begin systematically killing those who identified themselves as Christians. They eventually killed 148 and wounded an additional 79 before 4 of the terrorists killed themselves by detonating their suicide vests, and a 5th terrorist was taken into custody by local authorities. Where was the 24/7 international news coverage and minute-by-minute updates on every major news network? Where is the outpouring of support for Kenya, the hashtags, the Facebook shares, and the outcry for revenge? And where has the far right and the Tea Party been on this one?

 

 

What is the difference in France and Kenya here?

 

 

Garissa University Terrorist Attacks :: Garissa, Kenya -- Wikipedia

The Garissa University attacks were conducted specifically to target Christians. How is the pro-Christian and anti-Muslim Tea Party completely missing this one??

Most don't know of it because it didn't dominate news channels and social media the way this attack has.

Attacks against Christians just doesn't seem to get the attention from cable and network news the way other attacks do.

Sorry but I don't really understand your point? All of the attacks were bad....

Sorry but I don't really understand your point? All of the attacks were bad....

 

The point I think CWB is trying to make is that nobody talked about the Kenya attack even though it was just as bad. Nobody changed their Facebook profile picture to the Kenyan flag.

 

Both attacks are terrible. Both resulted in the loss of innocent lives.

 

But only one got worldwide media coverage. The question is why that is the case...

 

Is it because France is a deep rooted ally of ours? Is it because France is a more predominant country than Kenya? Is it because France has a bigger financial impact on the world than Kenya? The answer to all 3 is most likely yes. And that's not right. The Kenya attack should have gained the same attention that the France attack did.

 

Everyone knew Isis was bad. Everyone wanted them gone. But nobody called for action after the Kenya attack. They called for action after the France attack. Why the wait is the question.

The point I think CWB is trying to make is that nobody talked about the Kenya attack even though it was just as bad. Nobody changed their Facebook profile picture to the Kenyan flag.

 

Both attacks are terrible. Both resulted in the loss of innocent lives.

 

But only one got worldwide media coverage. The question is why that is the case...

 

Is it because France is a deep rooted ally of ours? Is it because France is a more predominant country than Kenya? Is it because France has a bigger financial impact on the world than Kenya? The answer to all 3 is most likely yes. And that's not right. The Kenya attack should have gained the same attention that the France attack did.

 

Everyone knew Isis was bad. Everyone wanted them gone. But nobody called for action after the Kenya attack. They called for action after the France attack. Why the wait is the question.

 

Can't be this.

 

Where's my order of freedom fries?

The point I think CWB is trying to make is that nobody talked about the Kenya attack even though it was just as bad. Nobody changed their Facebook profile picture to the Kenyan flag.

 

The main stream media did not report or talk about the Kenya attack even though it was just as bad, not with the fervor they've reported the bombings in Paris. They understand what sells ad time, and Kenya ain't it.

 

BTW, what the main stream media is doing with the Paris situation, now, is exactly what the terrorists want.

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I think -- to a certain extent -- this hits the nail on the head.

 

The simple truth is that the news media thinks a certain way. When I was taking journalism classes in college, the best workable definition of "What is news?" I ever received was: News is a deviation from the expected.

 

At a certain point, most folks just say: "Well, another outbreak of violence in Africa."

 

It's terribly depressing to try and comprehend that reality.

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Looks like a map of economic consequences....and 1st world countries come first.

 

Remember it is only news if it doesn't happen often....

Same could be said about the suicide attacks in Beirut on Thursday. Also seems to be an ISIS job. Haven't seen it mentioned outside of international news outlets.

The way the news works is puzzling on many things. If a pretty blonde white girl ( or young woman) goes missing, it gets national attention. If a fat, unattractive white girl or ANY black girl goes missing (and some do every day), national news does not seem to notice. If the pastor's wife in Indy weighed 300 lbs, you think it would be getting much attention? Same principals in play as what CWB is saying above...and I agree with him...

People have a stronger reaction with the familiar versus the unfamiliar. It is what it is.

 

Concert Hall with an American Rock Band in Paris, American tourists all over Paris. We Americans can identify more with a big city in France being attacked than a University in Kenya. Just as horrible? Yes. But the Paris attack hits closer to home.

The news has an agenda and a few privileged control the information. You get fed what they want you to know..