Elaine

Submitted by elaine (United States), Dec 3, 2015 at 13:40

Interesting discussion Mr Pipes. I commend you for having the courage to enter these forbidden areas that for you were seemingly not no-go zones but turned out to be reasonably safe for an innocuous tall unidentified Jewish male who posed no discernible threat. As a Jewish woman I would not have the courage to do the same for the obvious reason that a lone woman in western attire would attract attention and create danger since women aren't viewed in the same way.

Amazing to me we've allowed these areas to fester ignored mostly by government because they're treated as hostile interlopers though government has every right to enter these areas. They've become no-go for many reasons that mostly reflect poorly on the host countries who allow these non-assimilated people to become citizens (and to radicalize) in the first place. Molenbeek is described as a terrorist factory for radicalization.

I'm not surprised your concrete incident wasn't addressed. Why would it be. These places conjure up fear for most of us. Terrorism is on the rise. Two terrorist incidents here in the states, one today in CA and last week in CO Springs though it hasn't been proven yet to be terrorist related. Still, these incidents feel more common place and exacerbate our personal safety concerns. Extremism is an omnipresent reality in the west. Our denial and acceptance of Muslims makes no sense even if the silent Muslim moderates are basically good people (so I'm told)The Parisian attacks reflect a PC denial that Muslim extremism exists. This is changing. Borderless countries that continue to accept these people are setting themselves up for more attacks/disaster. ISIS has grown bold largely sanctioned by Obama who has fed this mess with his refusal to acknowledge reality. Things feel for me very tenuous and most certainly for the Jews in Europe whose fear factor decibel is now on high alert.

Your no-go ventures are admirable & bold, and you make your point. I'm actually glad to know you felt safe enough to visit these places.

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