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ISIL - ISIS, James Foley, Michael Brown, racism, terrorism, the Importance of educators, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
James Foley (Photo credit: Reuters)
James Foley
Tragic events have kept me away from my computer for several days. American journalist James Foley was beheaded in cold blood by members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a terrorist organisation masquerading as a nation. It appears ISIS is now preparing to murder Steven Sotloff.
I agree with Pope Francis that “it should not be up to a single nation to decide how to intervene in the conflict.” The following is the Pope’s complete statement:
“18 August: Pope Francis, leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, said that the international community would be justified in stopping Islamist militants in Iraq. He also said that it should not be up to a single nation to decide how to intervene in the conflict.” (See Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, Wikipedia – the free encyclopedia.)
The killer, or one of the killers, has a British accent. It appears he is a Londoner. David Cameron, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, is therefore taking matters very seriously. It seems the alleged executioner, or one of the alleged executioners, has been identified, but revealing his identity before he is in custody would be a breach of security.
Mr. Foley’s killer(s) will be brought to justice. I should note that since Barack Obama became President of the United States, the United States has seldom had better allies.
I hope that no single nation retaliate. Terrorism is not a nation. It could be the terrorists might enjoy generating a war. The US and its allies have élite commandos they can deploy. That’s how Bin Laden was found and killed. The terrorists must, of course, release the journalists they have captured.
Michael Brown
Also tragic and disturbing is the shooting death of 18-year-old African-American Michael Brown by a white policeman in Ferguson, Missouri. The matter is still under investigation, which prevents conclusive statements. (See Shooting of Michael Brown, Wikipedia – the free encyclopedia.)
Racism, if it was racism, can be curbed considerably through proper education. We underestimate the role of good teachers in this regard.
I extend my condolences to James Foley’s family and friends and wish to tell them how sorry I am for their loss. Nothing is more painful than the death of a child, whatever his or her age.
I also extend my sincere condolences to Michael Brown’s family and friends.
My kindest regards to all of you.
— La Guirlande de Julie (Photo credit: BnF)
Marc-André Hamelin plays Mozart
© Micheline Walker
28 August 2014
WordPress
Micheline's Blog 
These past days have been dark. The news remains horrible.
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Dear Gallivanta, The News does remain horrible and there is a possibility than ISIS is trying to provoke the United States into another conflict. His poor parents! How I wish I could comfort them. What will President Obama do?
Big hugs to you.
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It’s a worry what anyone can do. I was wondering if you feel well enough to do something for me. My daughter has started a blog. She shares many of your interests in art and literature and music and she loves the challenge of translating. I am sure she would love it if you looked at her blog. This post, in particular, may interest you because of the reference to Scaramouche http://ousel.wordpress.com/2014/08/27/ballade/ You may recall that my daughter has considerable health issues.
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Dear Gallivanta, I just looked at your daughter’s post. Her translation is excellent and I will be following her. The best Scaramouche was Tiberio Fiorelli who died in France. I might tell his story in a new blog.
I am sorry to hear your daughter has health issues. Health is so precious. I remember being healthy.
Take care Gallivanta
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She will be pleased to know that you approve of her translation. Where she lives, it is difficult to find people who can give her feedback on her translation efforts.
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Gallivanta,
If there is anything I can do to help, I will do it and will be happy to do so. I have a PhD in French literature classical French literature and my doctoral dissertation was on Molière. Molière shared a theater with the Italians. I love to work with colleagues. Big hugs, Micheline
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Thank you kindly Micheline. I will let her know.
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It would be a good thing if the rest of the world took a stance against such evil but alas many countries rulers and governments are not it seems interested. I suppose many too will be supportive of insurgents. At the very least plans should be made by the United Nations to step in and put an end to it all. That isn’t going to happen though is it? The UN are supposed to be a peace-keeping force are they not? That is a force without physical intervention.
Shirley Anne
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Shirley,
I so much want for humans to live at peace with one another. We are all the same and I believe we were created to be happy and spread warmth. Yes, the UN are supposed to be a peace-keeping force. We also blue berets. Living in a peaceful world is possible. I believe our worst problems are extremism and an instinctive will to retaliate rather than negotiate.
Take care,
Micheline
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The Michael Brown killing is much more concerning to me. It’s more quantifiable. It’s right here at home. It’s another case abuse of power and of racism. And, make no mistake, it was racism. Even if the cop’s shooting was done more out of fear, than out of hate, it’s racism.
The Foley “beheading” is more abstract and questionable. Many are saying that the video was completely staged. Many are saying that he was a CIA agent. And, many are saying this was designed to be like a new 9/11, to get us amped up to go after ISIS/ISIL, who we essentially created to take down Assad. The US is the grand puppet master, but sometimes the puppets end up like Pinocchio, and they get away from us. It’s our constant meddling that has caused all this “terrorism”. Do we ever learn from our mistakes? Apparently not. — YUR
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The Michael Brown killing is more quantifiable and based, it seems, entirely on color. What you are pointing to are the very real problems the President and his administration face everyday. They have to govern without sufficient support on the part of extremist Republicans who have agreed to disagree and oppose rather than propose. The president himself is an African-American which complicates matters. How will they get the prisoners out of the Middle-East? American lives are endangered. You are right!
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I have lived a long time in a world filled with horrible events and I truly believe we must do something about this ISIS thing before it goes too much farther. This is not the time for dilly-dallying, pussyfooting around or “Wondering” what to do. This is a time for decisive action because the longer it festers the worse it will become.
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John,
I’m at a loss. I have been trying to see whether or not they are like the Nazis. Europe had to be entered and freed of an evil. The death camps alone warranted intervention but are we dealing with a threat that can be isolated and destroyed. However, I have enormous trust in President Obama. I can’t imagine him doing something foolish. I resent war, but there have been just wars. It’s a mess isn’t it. President Obama is doing something. He is a serious and responsible leader. I thank you for writing.
Micheline
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I thank you for your suggestion. I will do as you mentioned. Please accept my apologies. The Isis crisis is taking its toll.
Again I thank you for your suggestion.
With kind regards,
Micheline
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