I didn’t say anything last night

Mostly because I was seething.  Seethingly angry at the terrorists, at the governments who have allowed this to happen and at the mindsets that prevent people from having the most effective toolset with which to protect themselves.

I had hoped I might be a bit less angry today.  It’s not working out that way.  Yes, the heat is mostly gone, but there is a bed of coals that is going to last for quite some time.

Earlier, police officials said they found a Syrian passport on the body of a suicide bomber at another site targeted in the assaults, the Paris soccer stadium where three were killed. The other victims were killed in bursts of gunfire in two popular Paris neighborhoods.

A Greek official said the terrorist with the Syrian passport crossed into the European Union through the Greek island of Leros in October, a transient point for Syrian refugees fleeing their war-torn country.

Citizen Protection Minister Nikos Toskas, in charge of police forces, issued a statement that said,  “On the case of the Syrian passport found at the scene of the terrorist attack, we announce that the passport holder had passed from Leros on Oct. 3 where he was identified based on EU rules.”

“We do not know if the passport was checked by other countries through which the holder likely passed,” Toskas added.

The BBC, citing British officials, reported Saturday that the attackers were members of a self-contained cell and had travelled to Syria.

Well.  It’s not like we weren’t warned.  It isn’t like this couldn’t be foreseen.  But instead, when Frau Merkel flung open Pandora’s Box, most governments in Europe went along with it.  Yes, some of those on the front lines of the invasion–yes, I said invasion and I damn well mean “invasion”–have finally figured out that they need to start building defenses, but it’s a case of too little, too late.  The damage is done.  The enemy is in the citadel and he has already struck once.  Rest assured that he will strike again.

To the People of France, our first and oldest ally:  You have bled for us and we for you.  Know that, in spite of our governments and their actions and inactions, the people of America grieve with you and share your anger.  I do not know what we as a people can do to help you in this dark hour other than to tell you that we grieve with you and share your anger.  Stay strong.  Do what you can on an individual basis to defend yourselves.  Keep your senses sharp.  Channel your anger into resolve.  Do not forget that you are the heirs of Charlemagne.

Given our would-be king’s recent and current actions, I think we will be joining you on the field of battle soon.