Senator Mark Begich,
Senator Lisa Murkowski,
This is one of two messages that you will receive from me
within the next several days. This one is in regard to the crisis in Iraq .
I have been horrified by the reports and the images coming
from Iraq as it relates to the wholesale butchery and savagery that ISIS has
been doing to their fellow countrymen (assuming most of them still are Iraqis) in the name of their brand
of Islam. Beheadings, rapes, crucifixions, and all manner of atrocities are carried
out daily by this evil group to Christians and other minorities in the area,
and the U.S.
and International response has been slow and tepid. Of course, these atrocities
are not just limited to Iraqi’s themselves as the recent horrific murder of American
photojournalist James Foley attests. ISIS is
not just an Iraqi problem: it is an international problem. Targeted air strikes
against ISIS and food drops for its victims provide very limited and temporary
relief – and thank God the President finally authorized them for the sake of
the Kurds and Yazidis a couple of weeks ago (even if he earlier ignored the
plight of the Christians) – but these defensive measures are grossly inadequate
for what is needed. I was opposed to U.S.
military intervention in Syria
because it became very murky attempting to distinguish rebel forces dedicated
to establishing a democratic rule of law from Al Qaida forces (and later
ISIL/ISIS) bent on severe Islamic state. The current situation in Iraq
is much different. There is absolutely no ambiguity who the enemy is and what
they are doing to establish an Islamic caliphate in their image. ISIS is an enemy of humanity. Period. The threat to raise
their black flag over the White House may sound like hollow bluster to our
Western ears, but the horror they are inflicting on the people in Iraq and Syria is sickeningly real. They are
serious and they are disciplined. There is only one way to confront such an
evil: recognize it, confront it, and destroy it. This means U.S. boots on
the ground and more fire in the air – much more. The last thing Americans want
is for our military to return so quickly to Iraq
after pulling them out not so long ago, but I believe that anyone looking at
this situation with open eyes understands the reality that it is qualitatively
different than anything that has come before in the Middle
East for a very long time, if ever. If the head of the ISIS
serpent isn’t cut off now, the beast will only continue to grow in strength and
influence and will further destabilize the Middle East
and the world. People love a winner, even if that winner decapitates children,
puts their heads on spikes, and kicks them around like soccer balls. Even now
ISIS is drawing new recruits from around the world, including hundreds from the
U.S. and U.K. If they
are allowed to continue their murderous rampage relatively unchecked, they will
only get bolder and stronger with the passage of time. Even now I am hearing
our media discuss the threat of ISIS members with
Western passports bringing their horrific skills back home. After all, James
Foley’s murderer spoke with a British accent.
This is not strictly the United
States ’ fight, of course, but we share a strong responsibility
for this situation and the U.S.
is the only force in the world that can engage ISIS
with a quick and powerful military message, and so we must. Our allies can be
enlisted to help in various capacities, including militarily, but in the
meantime American leadership must act on their own. There is no other option as
the Western world can not dialog with people who cut children in half while
forcing their parents to watch. What is required is bold leadership among
Western leaders, and the United
States must be out in front whether we like
it or not. The world is looking for that leadership. The world is pleading for
that leadership. Even the Vatican
recognizes that serious military intervention may be in order to stop the ISIS atrocities. But can this U.S. President recognize
evil for what it is, call it by name, and resolve to confront it? I am doubtful.
Unfortunately, the “extremist” enemy he seems unnaturally fixated upon are not
people engaged in crimes against humanity in places like Iraq but those who advocate for smaller
government and lower taxes here in America .
So I am asking you, Mr. Begich and Ms. Murkowski, to help
our “Commander-in-Chief” recognize the grave threats posed by ISIS .
Please encourage him to show courage in acting quickly, decisively, and
overwhelmingly in stopping and pushing back the ISIS
nightmare. This nightmare will keep reoccurring unless we wake up.
Thank you.
Brendan Wolff
