At least 128 people have died and around 180 were injured last night in Paris in a series of carefully planned and coordinated attacks. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks, citing Paris as “the capital of abomination and perversion, the one that carries the banner of the cross in Europe.”
I don’t think anybody was surprised by the fact the horrors in Paris were committed by the Islamic State. We all guessed early on that it must be behind it, because, who else in this day and age still goes on insane crusades?
Isis said the carnage in Paris last night was “a holy attack facilitated by Allah” as if anybody in their right mind could ever think that fear and horror can, or should be, associated with God and religion.
Insanity is the only word that can describe “this”. What happened in Paris yesterday could have happened anywhere. It wasn’t just the French that were attacked, it was Democracy, Liberty, Equality.
As I was reminded last night of how low humanity can sink, I was also shown its capacity for kindness: texts and phone calls flooded in from friends in England who wanted to show me their support. My friends and family in France also sent texts and called, the lovely people here on WordPress were incredibly supportive. I stayed up half the night glued to the horrific news but talking to friends and family and bloggers as well. Similarly, in Paris last night, it wasn’t just about carnage and brutality: people reached out to each other, with taxis drivers taking people home for free and Parisians opening their doors and offering shelter to anyone left stranded in the city…kindness won out over hate, like it should do, like it always will.
This morning, I don’t have the words, either in French or English to describe how I feel. All I can say is: the French are strong, we were subjected to vile attacks earlier this year and we survived them, we will survive this. We are not going to be intimidated, we are not going to be afraid, we will not bow down to insanity and terror.
Terrorists attacks are meant to divide, they are meant to sow fear. We will not be divided and we will not fear. My heart bleeds for the victims in Paris and my heart bleeds for their families and friends, but I stand here today as determined as ever to uphold the values of any civilised country – I am not, and will not be afraid.

Well said!
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Thank you!
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Fuck the Islamic State. Vive la France! And the free world.
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Thank you my friend! You’ve made me feel all emotional now *looks for tissues*
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I don’t have any words … just a broken heart ❤
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I know exactly how you feel
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Reblogged this on newauthoronline and commented:
I can add nothing to what is written here. A moving post. Kevin
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Thank you for the reblog, your support is greatly appreciated – Nathalie
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It is a very sad and unfortunate occurrence.
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Indeed. Thank you for your thoughts.
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Your and your nation are in our thoughts and prayers. Your post is inspiring, and you seem to be voicing the thoughts of a great nation.
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Thank you, for your support and your lovely kind words. My countrymen and I are very grateful for it 🙂
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This really saddened me… I hate terrorism… 😥 Praying for Paris
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Thank you. Paris hears your prayers. Terrorism is cowardly, there is no other word for it.
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Correct… such evil people… I feel sorry for the innocent… huhuhu gosh whats wrong with humanity? 😥 take care friend 🙂
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Thank you ❤
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Nicely written!
#peaceforparis
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Thank you! #PeaceForParis
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It was moving to see the kindness that arose even among the chaos. I think evil wants to destroy everyting good but out of these evil actions,people were inspired to care for one another. I think of the families of those that have been lost. Just awful. Take care Nathalie xxxx
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Thank you Natascha, that’s the way to see it: kindness will prevail. You take care also my friend ❤ xx
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❤❤❤❤❤xxxxxxxx
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Excellence in the heartfelt.
Only poignancy in this posting. It is going to take those like us to get the message across to media.
https://spasmcanada.wordpress.com/2015/11/14/hey-media-it-isnt-suicide/
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Thank you!
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You are correct–France and the French people will not be divided by this terrible act. And the civilized world stands with France.
And you take care of yourself.
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Thank you very much for your support Charles, I can assure you it is greatly valued, by me and the French people. I’ve gone all teary again, it’s been such an emotional time and your kindness is *everything*
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Nathalie, I cannot fathom the feeling of pride of your people (yes we are all humans but in this case I’m intentionally making a distinction) as most of the U.S. isn’t united in anything but selfishness (no not all but a lot). Our government will probably offer lip service to this event and only make matters worse. I pray your people will carry on their legacy of free thinking and democratic lineage, despite the attempts of madmen to corral it in. The French sparked the Revolutionary Romantic mindset that other nations envied and wanted for themselves. I pray they never lose that!
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Thank you Dara! I have so much pride in my French heritage, from the revolutionary mindset to the ingrained belief in Free Speech and intellectual values…no terrorists are ever going to destroy or even threaten what’s deeply embedded in the French psyche!
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It is a wonderfully worded post. My heart goes out to Paris.
And as for these religious extremists? They think they can justify just about anything in the name of religion. There’s no faith or the love of God in them but sheer hatred.
My heart goes out to everyone and I just hope people stay strong.
Viva la France! Take care.
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You’ve said it all perfectly, I agree 100%, it’s nothing to do with religion but pure fanaticism.
Thank you so much for your support, it’s greatly appreciated ❤
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Some inhuman creatures always try to do violence and create disturbance. However, we have to be united and stand strong.
Thank you for sharing! My heart is with Paris!!
Stay Strong and take care! ❤
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Thank you so much for your lovely words, they mean a lot ❤
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My heart is with Paris!! ❤
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I agree with inspired…viva la France! Thank you for writing this Nathalie, your pride and emotion for your countryman is very honorable.
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Thank you Matt! #Twin
🇫🇷 Vive la France! 🇫🇷
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Bravo! Well said ……so sad for all those effected and who lost loved ones but rightly, stand tall and brave…
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Thank you! We’re all standing tall and brave, directly affected or not.
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We the many, stand arm in arm against the few.
France. Stay strong.
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Thank you, the world is standing together and that is an inspiring sight
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Its uplifting and pretty endearing to see folks pulling together and rooting for one another at such a time as this! There’s such a great amount of power in numbers and with love, kindness and humanity taking centre stage, the battle’s half won! Fear and paranoia are downers but learning to draw strength from one and another will put paid to ’em!
Inspiring and beautifully laid out post….a certified morale booster! Thanks for sharing Purple! 😇😊
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Thank you, your words are true *and* inspiring 😊
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Vive la France! Great post, Nathalie!! I hope that you, your friends and family in France and elsewhere, are safe. Be strong, the world is with France.
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Thank you Rob, my friends and family are safe but countless others were not so lucky. Thanks for your lovely words and, indeed, Vive la France! 🇫🇷
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The innocent and those who cherish freedom from tyranny and hate, love everyday with courage and determination. The hijackers of religion for the purpose of evil shall taste blood but never victory.
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I couldn’t agree more! Very well said, and thank you for saying it!
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From me with much love, Vous et vos compatriotes sont détenus dans mes pensées et le cœur. And from my countrymen:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/vigils-planned-across-canada-for-victims-of-paris-attacks-1.2658574
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Merci Karin, quels gentil mots de ta part et qui réchauffent mon cœur ❤️
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Such terrible times…
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Yes, terrible and awful times but we must keep hope alive
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My thoughts are with Paris…
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And Paris thanks you with all its heart
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Love to you from Australia where we stand with you. Viva la France! xx http://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/hundreds-brave-wet-weather-to-gather-in-sydneys-martin-place-to-mourn-terror-attacks-in-paris/story-fnj3rq0y-1227609396535
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Thank you so much, it’s beautiful that so many people around the world have gathered to remember the Paris victims and show their support. It’s really heartwarming ❤️
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I’m so glad to see you are okay! It’s so tragic. It saddens me to see such intolerance and hatred. Innocence lost at the hands of vengeance serves no purpose. You are in my thoughts, beautiful lady. 💜
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Thank you so very much for those words. It’s so lovely to feel so much love from around the world after all that senseless hate ❤️
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Barbarism in the name of religion is as old as the earth, we must fight this scourge. My heart goes out to the courageous and lovely people of France, and the city of light.
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❤
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Thank you!
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Thank you so much for your insights…
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Thank you so much for your visit 🙂
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