Terrorists Hit Multiple Sites In Paris, Copycat Attacks Feared

Terrorists hit at least four "soft" targets in Paris, tonight.  The death toll now exceeds 153 persons.  Authorities are on guard for copy-cat attacks in other places.

Already, speculation is, ISIS is behind the attacks.  The speculation is based upon the nature of the attacks, completely indiscriminate, rather than targeted towards a specific religious group.  However, the speculation remains unconfirmed.  Authorities are overwhelmed attempting to sort out exactly what happened and who is behind it.

The basics are, shooting broke out in a variety of locations mostly at the same time.  The worst casualties were at the Bataclan Theater where an American band was playing.  The shooters seemed only interested in body count, not hostages for ransom or political demans, as the shooters summarily executed concert goers.

At another location, the Cambodian Restaurant, a witness said she found herself on the floor after a window shattered and shots rang out while she was inside.  The witness found herself holding onto the hand of a fellow patron of the bar.  When she looked up, she found the patron whose hand she was holding with a bullet hole in her chest.  The witness does not know if the female patron died.  The witness heard the shooters pause to reload over a 2 or 3 minute period, then spray the venue again.

A bomb went off at an international soccer game at the State of France sports stadium.  Most people seemed unaware what the noise was and the match continued.

French borders are closed.  The City of Paris is expected to be a ghost town tomorrow, as authorities attempt to make sense of the madness.

Information for this article was obtained from CNN, the Voice of America, the Daily Mail, and Slate and Billboard Magazine.  Most photos are from Slate.

Venezuela Continues Violating Free Speech

The Nicolas Maudro government continues to shatter the notion of a free press in Venezuela.  Like an ostrich, if one can't see what is going on, presumably, it can't be happening.  Yet, the protests continue, the midnight raids continue, the violation of basic human rights continues in the South American nation that was the poster-child for a vibrant society under the former leader, Hugo Chavez.

Disaffected citizens who voiced their concerns have been answered with a barrage of buck shot and clouds of tear gas.  Reporters have been silenced and thrown out of the country, as if to silence the press silences the abuses to free thinking and free talking people.  


While a government has an obligation to maintain peace, it also has an obligation to treat all citizens with respect and with dignity, even those who disagree with the government.  Citizens arrested say respect has been paid in the form of male rape via the hot barrel of a rifle, indictments against students whose real crime was to speak out, and midnight trials of people who were not advised of the charges against them sooner than minutes before they were forced to defend themselves.  This is the place where Nicolas Maduro has taken the vision Hugo Chavez left for the country.

Free speech, free press and an active opposition are signs of a free society.  Remove them, as has happened in Venezuela, and the ostrich may dip her head, but the problems and opposition continues.  Eventually, the society erupts and a change of leadership is demanded.  Embrace free thinking and opposition and all people win by an enriched dialogue, where no one gets everything they want, but no one loses everything they want, either.

Venezuela is a country that will be the poster-child of Latin America.  The only question left is whether that poster-child will be one of reform and a free society, or one of repression by a newly elected and cruel dictator.

Ivan Antonio Lopez Unable To Get Mental Health Assistance

Fort Hood, Texas Commanding General of III Corps and Fort Hood, Lt. Gen. Mark A. Milley confirmed the death of Spc. Ivan Antonio Lopez.  Spc Lopez is identified as the person responsible for the shooting incident April 2 at the Fort.

Lopez, 34, whose home of record is listed as Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, entered active duty service in June 2008 and was currently assigned to 49th Transportation Movement Control Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).

He was previously assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas and assigned to the 1st Armored Division from April 2010 until November 2013 as an automatic rifleman. He reclassified as a motor transport operator in December 2013 and arrived at Fort Hood in February 2014.

Lopez deployed to Egypt from January 2007 to January 2008, and in support of Operation New Dawn from August 2011 to December 2011.

Lopez's awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, three Army Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Iraqi Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and Multinational Forces and Observers medal.

There are four deceased Soldiers and 16 wounded from the April 2 incident. Of the 16 Soldiers, nine of them are at Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas and three are at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center here.  Four of the Soldiers have already been released.

"We have very strong evidence that he had a medical history that indicates an unstable psychiatric or psychological condition. (We're) going through all records to ensure that is, in fact, correct. But we believe that to be the fundamental underlying causal factor," Lt. Gen. Mark Milley, the post's commanding general, told reporters Thursday.

Presumably, Lopez had sought help for serious mental problems but had not been evaluated completely before the shooting. Fast tracking persons with mental and emotional problems was one of the priorities set after the last Fort Hood shooting. Lopez was reportedly distraught over the loss of his mother and grandfather within a two month period, according to FOX News.The Criminal Investigation Division of the United States Army continues as the lead investigating agency and are now synchronizing all of the investigative work of the federal, state, local and Army agencies throughout Fort Hood and the surrounding area.

Fort Hood officials are committed to letting the investigation run its course but, again, there are no indications at this time of any links to terrorist organizations of any type either national or international. 
  
"I’d also like to thank the outpouring of support from the Central Texas community and from the entire state of Texas, and from all of our national leadership within the military and our civilian leadership on the national level, Milley said at the conference. "Everyone is chipping in trying to assist in any way they can and I would recommend any individual wanting to donate support in any manner, shape or form, contact the Fort Hood PAO, that’s on the Facebook page, and they can point you in the right direction."

Primary Source:  Fort Hood Press