What to do…
There’s so much we shouldn’t do. Turning ISIS into a legit enemy like they really are a “state,” demonizing Islam and all Muslims, bombing and attacks that will increase hatred: thus hand over more power, more converts, more terrorists, to these evil, anti-Allah, God hating, heretical bastards. You know they’re going to continue to try to goad us into it. That’s all they have.
What don’t they have? Well, regardless of propaganda pushed by those longing for war to gain more power, more influence, enrich their corporate donors, and our own religious fanatics, they don’t have Muslims. Not even close to a majority. They are a small minority, and as long as we don’t keep spewing hate, and going out of our way to piss off peaceful Muslims, that will remain a truism.
Here’s some perspective…
These fanatics, and I mean beyond ISIS, don’t represent most of Islam, or even the governments of countries where the majority of the populace is Muslim. Yes, many of these countries are very strict theocracies, and by today’s standards cruel when it comes to what they dare call “justice,” though if some folks who really do hate all of Islam in this country had their way we would be just as strict as they are, just in support of Christian fundamentalism, not Islamic fundamentalism.
By the way, to us beheading is a horrible practice. But what makes it “better” than cooking a human being in a chair? Or poisoning them? Or blowing multiple bullets through their hearts? The guillotine was invented to make beheading more humane, quicker. If those so concerned with this as an execution method were serious you’d think they’d be pushing for this, not just using beheading as a method for inspiring hatred.
I also think our own support for dictators and tyrants has created this scenario. Some, like Saudi Arabia, have our full support and are damn nasty places. Other countries? Well, like our installing Saddam then “firing” him, we have helped create this “fine” mess we are in.
You know, like John McCain helping fund ISIS, claiming them moderates, then when it all blew up in his face blaming Obama?
The best thing we could do right now is not bomb them, it would be to be friendlier, and more supportive, of moderate Muslims. You want to enrage ISIS, while taking power away from them? Paris, let’s have an arm and arm parade with Muslims, Christians, other believers, Atheists, Agnostics marching around the Eiffel Tower: supporting religious moderation and against cowards like those who run ISIS. The more they go after us, the more solidarity we should have.
That would be far more powerful, far more effective, than any bomb, shooting #1 ISIS leader, #2, #3… that’s like thinking swatting at a swarm of mosquitoes will solve your mosquito problem. It’s more likely to attract them.
There will always be another #1, #2… and it won’t stop terrorism. Nothing will stop all terrorism. We will always have “Paris.” The best thing to do now is make damn sure the mass murderers in Paris don’t “have” us.
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Inspection is a column that has been written by Ken Carman for over 30 years. Inspection is dedicated to looking at odd angles, under all the rocks and into the unseen cracks and crevasses that constitute the issues and philosophical constructs of our day: places few think, or even dare, to venture.
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