US Airstrikes Begin on Iraqi Militants

Yesterday, President Obama announced his consent for as-needed airstrikes yesterday to be used to help combat Islamic State fighters' violence towards Christians, Yazidis, and Shiite Muslims with an ultimatum to "convert to Islam or die". Today, the first airstrikes have begun, with two fighter jets bombing artillery batteries of Sunni Islamic extremists outside Irbil with 500 pound laser guided bombs. Extremists recently took over the Mosul Dam, which is Iraq's largest dam, and could give them extreme leverage as it is a huge source of electricity and if destroyed can flood entire towns.
The targeted groups have been forced to seek refuge in the Kurdish region and in and around Irbil and on Mount Sinjar, where tens of thousands of refugees are now starving and dehydrated. US planes deposited food and water over the area in an effort to help these people, but already 40 children have died from lack of these necessities and the heat. Refugees still face the harsh reality of either staying in the mountains and starving or dehydrating to death, or going down and facing the extremist militants, who have beheaded people and placed their heads on their spikes to strike fear in the people. With 245 of our military personnel currently in Iraq, an immediate danger to US lives is also present.The Obama administration is already funneling weapons to Iraqi forces, and factories have been operating daily to produce them. However, two Republican senators, John McCain and Lindsey Graham, believe that the US should also be taking the fight to the Islamic State, saying, "It should include U.S. airstrikes against ISIS leaders, forces, and positions both in Iraq and Syria."
Obama says he does not want the US fighting another war in Iraq, but feels we must help the innocent in this situation, saying, "We have the unique capabilities to help avert a massacre, and I believe the United States cannot turn a blind eye."
 I chose this event because I believe the sufferers of this situation need to be helped, and I think there will be conflicting opinions about this decision due to the involvement of the US. Personally, I think the airstrikes are a necessary evil,because the lives of not only our soldiers, but the people whose lives are at stake because they refuse to convert from their religion. I also chose this because freedom of religion is granted to us through our Constitution, yet in Iraq they have no freedom of religion, and I think that is something that needs to be worked on, because everyone should have a right to freely practice their religion without repercussions. Ultimately, it is a relevant issue that has many sides to it, and is a conflict that concerns more than just our country.

Websites
1. CNN Article on KTLA
2. The Wall Street Journal Article
3.NY Times Article
Questions
1. Do you agree with President Obama's decision? If not, what else could have be done?
2. What are some negatives about his decision, and do you think the positives outweigh them?
3. Do you believe the US has a responsibility to become involved in conflicts such as these, especially when our own citizens are in potential danger?