I’ve always had an interest in politics, local and international, and I like to stay abreast of current events, and issues that affect me directly and indirectly. And of course I’d like to believe that my degree in Political Science has helped shaped the lens in which I view the political landscape, or if nothing else, gave me an edge when it comes to sorting through the bs that clouds the political scene in this country.
Now with that said, I am vexed as to what the hell is really going on with this group ISIS, and I want to know just how scared should I be?
Okay, so here’s what I know: I know that ISIS was formed by former Iraqi soldiers who were unable to serve under the new Iraqi gov’t, after Saddam’s reign of terror ended and his military disbanded. I know that ISIS has seized and taken control of both Syria and Iraq’s military bases and armories, which means the group now has more hardware at their disposal than some National armies. I know that ISIS is known for killing dozens of people at a time, public executions, crucifixions (yes, you read that correctly), I know that their initial strategy to generate revenue was using extortion and robbery. I know that ISIS has an aim of creating an Islamic state across Sunni areas of both Iraq and Syria.
Now what I NEED to know is how the hell does this effect us over here in the good ol’ U S of A.
Of course my question cuts down to the core and this is precisely what our gov’t is not about to share with us. Now when it comes to propaganda, oh our gov’t can’t wait to plant story upon story in the media about threats to America and we couldn’t turn on the tv a few years ago without hearing about Al Qaeda, who by the way apparently has cut ties with ISIS… Hmmm.. does that sound a little suspicious to anyone?
What our gov’t counts on is the average person being too damn busy and bogged down with just surviving to worry about supposed threats and wars going on in the Middle East, which have been going on more years than anyone can realistically calculate.
But.. if this group does pose a threat to us, –which it may not as long as we keep our troops out– but let’s just say for the sake of conversation it does, then we need to know as much as we possibly can about what’s really goin on. Because contrary to popular belief, ignorance is not bliss, not when it comes to political matters that will ultimately affect us whether we realize it or not.
And trust me, when it comes to this gov’t, you can be damn sure that the “people’s” well being is not who they’re looking out for.
Dawn M. Edwards 