The killing of Peter Kassig; Are we really becoming so desensitized?

SCPO Albert Lee Smith — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 10:55:21 -0500

Have we really become so desensitized, so quickly?

Another American has been killed at the hands of these monsters. Where's the outrage? Where's the fire in our Nation's hearts? The first one sent shockwaves through our hearts and minds. For a brief moment in time, we unified into a singular message. "This is wrong, and we need to do something." This one is barely a blip on the RADAR. Has the public beheading of an American at the hands of the enemy really become modus operandi in our hearts and minds? Just one more thing to fill a Sunday morning news cycle, and is of no concern unless there's an election around the corner?

Don't feel bad. I'm not pointing my finger at you. I have 3 fingers pointing squarely back at me. I saw this article this morning and said, "Really? Again?" just like you probably did. That fills me with shame.

What am I doing to change the outcome?

Anything I can.

Read. Learn. Feel something. Do something, even if it's spreading the word, and generating the conversations Americans need to have.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/11/16/new-isis-video-purportedly-shows-beheading-american-hostage-peter-kassig/

New ISIS video shows beheading of American hostage Peter Kassig

The Islamic State terror group has posted a new video purporting to show the beheading of Peter Kassig, a former Army Ranger who became an aid worker in the midst of Syria's bloody civil war.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Nov 16 at 2014 11:16 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 11:16:14 -0500

SCPO Albert Lee Smith, I wont say that what ISIL is doing is ok. They are scum of the lowest order. But military action against them should require a declaration of war. Our last declaration of war was for WWII. We erode our Constitution, which we swore to support and defend by acting militarily without declarations of war. Then there's the deeper consideration of what should guide our lethal foreign policy.

I recognize the desire for vengeance against people who hurt our people. I also recognize the fear that failure to preemptively destroy an enemy's capability to strike may lead to future attacks. Nevertheless, I would urge careful consideration of what drives our foreign policy, particularly our violent foreign policy, and which model we should follow: the example of Hamilton? of Jackson? of Jefferson?
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/09/why-americas-pursuing-isis-to-the-gates-of-hell/379622/

Why America Is Pursuing ISIS to the Gates of Hell

The beheading of two journalists has transformed public debate over U.S. foreign policy.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2014 3:17 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 15:17:24 -0500

It is a brutal thing, SCPO Albert Lee Smith. I watched the video; those folks are barbaric. We are augmenting the fight with a few thousand "advisors." I guess my hope is that the Islamic world will take care of this group on its own. (Iran, for example, does not want to see ISIL growing in strength and numbers in that area.) But I think we should be ready, at least, to provide needed weapons, supplies, and advisors to the people on the ground who are fighting ISIL.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2014 3:59 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 15:59:37 -0500

Yes to hear and see these attacks on Americans is very disheartening makes you angry and want revenge. It is hard for us Americans to stand resilient when our current administration chooses to handle the situation with kid gloves and hopes to pass the problem to the next administration. But by then it may be to late and America will suffer more atrocities. A problem though is who do we support in defeating ISIS for we are the enemy to many in the region. In hind site maybe we should have left Saddam Hussein in power even though I hate that thought.

Response by Sgt Nick Marshall made Nov 16 at 2014 4:03 PM

Sgt Nick Marshall — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 16:03:34 -0500

I was outraged, even more so because he was an actual Muslim (converted) who was trying to do nothing but good. This shows that ISIS is less about religion and more about hatred and trying to grab power.

Response by SCPO Albert Lee Smith made Nov 17 at 2014 11:53 AM

SCPO Albert Lee Smith — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 11:53:45 -0500

Thank you all for your thoughtfull responses! This is the kind of conversation we need to have with ALL Americans!

Eveyday, I tell my oldest daughter to take out the trash on her way out. She hates doing it. It needs to be done. If she doesn't do it, the trash will pile up and soon be out of control (role with me here). Just because she's weary of doing it, and her friends are wary of hearing about it, doesn't change the fact that it needs to be done.

Americans may be war weary, especially when the mainstream media tells us we're supposed to be by now (oops, tangent). Tired of it or not, this is not something we can throw a few advisors at and expect it to be taken care of. ISIL is serious about war against us, and evey other nation/people they feel are infidels. Deadly serious. Our apathy about what's going on "over there" is going to get us killed. People are paying more attention to the latest meme circulating on FaceBook and Reddit than they are about serious threats to our national security. Kim Kardashian's ass shouldn't be breaking the internet. Outrage and action from yet another American being publicly beheaded (a Muslim convert at that, therefore not even an infidel by their definition) should be breaking the internet.

America is the greatest Nation in the world, and we bow to no-one. The problem with being on top is that there's always someone trying to take your spot. We are no longer vigilant as a Nation, and that's a serious problem.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2014 12:45 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 12:45:45 -0500

This disgusts me, Chief, and I couldn't agree more. When they first threatened to behead the first American, we (at least my reaction) was something akin to "There is no way they'll do that...". But they did. And when the threat was made against Peter Kassig, I thought, and I'm ashamed to admit this, "Well, it's only a matter of time". Gone was my uncertainty that they would carry out this act.

It's extremely disgusting and concerning that we have just let this rise and fall off our radar as if we saw someone trip on the sidewalk. As someone who is about to commission into the Army (ok in 5 months), I can only wonder how the wild abandon that IS commits these atrocious acts will affect my generation of officers.

Response by TSgt Tim Walker made Nov 17 at 2014 1:16 PM

TSgt Tim Walker — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 13:16:53 -0500

One word- Leadership-and it is definitely lacking in our country.

Response by CSM Carlson C. made Nov 18 at 2014 9:19 AM

CSM Carlson C. — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 09:19:16 -0500

It's sad state of humanity that this group of people think that the way to promote their cause is to torture and kill non-combatants and publish the videos of it to instill fear. It further fuels the misdirected hate and anger towards the Muslim and Islamic population. But whit this particular group, the anger also from those in the middle east that are tired of being bullied. Eventually there will be no choice but to place boots on the ground to prevent the spread of the ISIL threat, and with that, the entire might of the U.S. Military