An American photojournalist, James Foley, was beheaded today by Islamic Militants in Iraq as an act of retaliation of the recent U.S. air strikes. James Foley went missing in November of 2012 in Syria and was not seen or heard of until the horrific YouTube video of the murder was released today. White House National Security has confirmed the authenticity of the video and that the man beheaded was in fact Foley. ISIS also is threatening that if the U.S. does not stop the air strikes, it plans to also murder another American journalist, Steven Sotloff. With this imposing threat of killing another American citizen comes a larger all-around threat to Americans, Christians, religious minorities, and Islamics over seas as well as Americans at home in the U.S. These horrific actions have further proved that the members of ISIS will stop at nothing to get what they want, which (although it may sound funny) is world domination. At this point, it is easy to see that "you can't negotiate with them, you can't bribe them, you can't contain them, we can only kill them", says KT McFarland in a Fox News interview. So now the question is where to go next with our actions. Continuing air strikes will lose more American lives, including Sotloff's. However, if we abide by their rules and discontinue air strikes we will only add more fuel to an already blazing fire.
Questions for Discussion:
-Should the U.S. stop air strikes to save Sotloff?
-Do you think that ISIS will become more powerful in the months to come if we do stop the air strikes? Why?
-Do you think there is any other way to stop ISIS besides killing?
-Do you consider ISIS as a threat to U.S. and the world if they become powerful enough?
Video:
Fox Interview w/ KT McFarland
Article:
"No Reason For this Slaughter": Parents of Beheaded American Journalist Recall Hero Son"
The US should delay airstrikes against ISIS for a certain period of time. This will give us time to think of more efficient solutions and to keep ISIS wondering what will be our next move. I don't believe there is any better solution than killing off ISIS. This group of terrorists have been described as the best most structured terrorist group in the world. ISIS has evolved and grown larger over the years and are not going to stop with one small negotiation. Even if they agree to the negotiation, they can never be trusted by any country or small village. If ISIS begins to grow and gain more support, I believe they can easily become a huge threat to the world. The group has no limits or any mercy. By this terrorist group gaining power, it can build some serious concerns across the world and especially the US.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sarah that the US should delay air strikes against the ISIS, but only as long as it takes for the military to try to rescue Sotloff and other Americans being held captive by ISIS. If we rush into a decision without thinking it through many American lives will be lost, which will only make the ISIS more powerful in their region. I believe that the ISIS will become more powerful in the months to come if we stop the air strikes because they will take this as a victory and just save the American captives until they want something else. Stopping the air strikes shows them that they have the upper-hand and that their kidnapping tactic is an effective way to stop the US military attacks. Also, without the air strikes they will have a time of peace to recruit more people and easily get more weapons. No, there is no other way to stop the ISIS besides killing them because their interpretation of their Islamic religion is intolerant of any other religion or people. The ISIS are the most advanced terrorist group that we have faced and will not stop until they get what they want, world domination that is based on their view of their religion. Yes, I consider the ISIS a threat to both the US and the world. This group has rapidly gained power and has the determination to overcome the world, if they are not stopped now they will defiantly become a major terrorist threat to the world.
ReplyDeleteNo we cannot listen to them because then it will look like we r backing down. Also they don't care what we think. Even if we stop the air strikes they r still going to kill the American journalists. I don't belive there is any other way then to fight them and kill them. They need to be gone and we should send troops to go and get rid of them. I think they have potential to be powerful if they are not stopped. The United States should get more countries involved so we are not the only ones dealing with this.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sarah and Cara in that I also believe airstrikes should be delayed so that Scotloff can be rescued. It gives time to regroup and discuss future measures with other countries, and most importantly, to get this man out of danger. However, if we are to delay airstrikes, it is imperative that it is for a small amount of time. If we stop the use of force for too long, ISIS will have the opportunity to expand and this will only make the situation worse.Without the containment provided by the airstrikes, the group will have an increase in power and ultimately pose an even bigger threat to the world. This group is extremely dangerous, and the holding of passports to other countries gives these people accessibility to places where they may target next.Their hatred of Americans may provide a motive for them to target our country, and as an extremely developed terrorist group, they pose a legitimate threat to our country as well as others.The world as a whole is certainly at stake of being affected by them. Because of this, we need to permanently eliminate the people of ISIS. They pose a threat to the well being of many innocents, and we cannot allow them to take the lives of any more undeserving people. I think that KT McFarland has a point when she says that what needs to happen is the unification of other groups in Iraq and Syria so that there can be more people standing up to ISIS, so that is something that should be a primary goal for our country right now. If this happens, and we can get the people of these countries, as well as the militaries of other countries throughout the world, to band together and fight the ISIS, then we may be able to stop the group in its tracks. I found this article with the Pope's perspective on the matter:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ibtimes.com/pope-endorses-use-force-us-airstrikes-stop-isis-amid-plans-visit-iraq-1661732
It seems as though the airstrikes we carry out against ISIS seem to be effective considering ISIS wants us to stop them. Although ISIS is threatening to take the life of another journalist i believe the US should continue the airstrikes. Considering all the other lives at stake if ISIS grows in power. Sotloff is a necessary sacrifice. I do not believe ISIS will grow in power if we continue to intervene militarily and the fact that they declared war on Iran will stunt ISIS' growth. ISIS was formed with propaganda and hatred of the west so i believe that a more permanent solution would be something involving getting rid of propaganda spreading and hate mongering by attacking the source, the leaders and Muslim extremists. ISIS is a threat to the world now because regardless of how powerful they are they are spreading discontent and hatred throughout the middle east, the area we fought to bring peace into, so i believe that ISIS should be halted ASAP considering what they are capable of even now.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Eddie and Aldo that the airstrikes authorized on ISIS militants should be continued. Eddie said the militants will continue killing Americans even if the airstrikes are stopped. Also, Aldo said that the airstrikes must be working, that they are effective and the ISIS wants us to stop. I believe that these are the right decisions because if the airstrikes were to not be continued then more civilians will be harmed as a result. These ISIS militants will prolong their malicious activity harming innocent people.
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