I Am Afraid ~ Are You?

As I gaze upon the mini violets that are happily blooming on my kitchen windowsill I am thinking about how I should be happy and content. Everything in my little world is solid and happy. I have a loving husband of 25 years. I could not love him more. I have an adorable dog who brings me joy each and every day. He is the dearest companion. I love him with my whole heart. Our home is comfy and content. We live in a nice neighborhood with friendly neighbors. Why then would I worry? Why am I afraid?
Of all the potential threats to our happiness, our security, the safety of our family and friends and our way of life there is one threat that scares me the most ...
ISIS or ISL or whatever they choose to call themselves. I am probably more concerned than the average American about this militant group. After spending three years living in the Middle East and spending most of my life as the daughter of a man who spent all of his career in international business and regularly reported to Washington, my antenna is up. The group that beheaded freelance journalist James Foley and is threatening to behead another journalist is a well funded, well organized group who have recruited foreign nationals into their ranks. Speaking to lawmakers at a House on Foreign Affairs committee, Brett McGurk a deputy assistant secretary of state said of ISIS, "It is Al Qaeda in it's doctrine, ambition and increasingly in it's threat to the US interest. In fact, it is worse than Al Qaeda." source.
In addition, Army General Martin Dempsey chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff told reporters: "This is an organization that has an apocalyptic, end-of-days strategic vision which will eventually have to be defeated."

What will be our response to such an organization? In fact it's no longer just a terrorist organization (if that's not bad enough) it has become, from what
I have read, a full blown army. An army has one of two purposes. It
is formulated to protect it's citizens, or it is formulated to expand it's
territories. ISIS has made their intent known. They don't follow any
diplomatic rules. They won't be satisfied until they over turn the entire region.
Once they achieve that objective, what will their next one be?

In the famous words of Lord John Acton ~
Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupt
absolutely.

While I don't like to bring up unpleasantries on a Friday before
what will hopefully be a happy and carefree weekend, when is
a good time to bring up a topic such as this? I have not forgotten
September 11, 2001. I do not want our nation to have to
experience anything remotely like that ever again. Our freedom
is priceless. It is sought after. It is to be cherished and protected.
We cannot afford to lose it.

If you have any interest in studying more of the thought of
Lord John Acton, here is the link to the Acton Institute.

God Bless us all,
Susan and Bentley