If you ask the average American how much they truly know about ISIS, I am rather confident that most people would provide, at least, the minimum response, "ISIS is a group of militant radicals who hate the United States with a vengeance - including all that we stand for - to the point where they would like to wipe every one of us off of the map." That's an answer that surely sums up this group adequately and their feelings towards everything American. Needless-to-say, ISIS isn't feelin' the love towards the red, white and blue and their wrath is vehement, aggressive, and resoundingly inhumane.
But is it possible to blame the entire foothold ISIS has claimed in U.S. lives and on opposite sides of our borders purely on ISIS alone? Or is there more to the make-up of this enemy than the brief definition above indicates? When the identity of ISIS' actually comes into question, is the complexity of the answer beyond what meets the eye and do we have to look inward to discover the true extent of that answer? I think we do.
In this Monday, Oct. 13, 2014 photo, Islamic State group pins and stickers are on display at an Islamic bookstore where books about Islam, militant Islamic leaders and Islamic flags are displayed in the Fatih district of Istanbul. A Sept. 26 clash, described to The Associated Press by Korkut and a half a dozen other university students, was the first in a series of fights at Istanbul University's Beyazit campus. There has been repeated violence since, and Turkish media have reported scores of arrests. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
In my opinion, the face of ISIS isn't solely comprised of "Islamic extremist" features. A few characteristics of it stem from the United State's own faulty DNA, which has spent numerous years now continuing to mutate with little hope, help, or solution in sight despite whose side of the lab the petrie dish seems to sit on - left or right. Our struggling economy plagued with rising costs, unemployment rates that seem to eclipse the percentages assigned, and political parties that spend more time fighting internally than for the rights, security and needs of those they are elected to lead have certainly added to the ugliness of ISIS' overall appearance, both literally a figuratively.
The reflection resulting is one of "lost purpose" for countless numbers of individuals struggling to do more than just "survive." This is a state so toxic to the human condition that one would rather settle into a "destructive" purpose than exist remiss of a "purpose" at all. It's the reason fledgling youths join gangs, cults, or groups called ISIS -- the same reason dictators like Hitler rose to power despite proper training, lineage or any expectation indicating the obviousness of him doing so someday. Leaders who feed to the hunger of others secure a very good chance of acquiring a following, especially if those others have nothing to stand for -- such as in the case of a purposeless existence. Hence the old saying, "If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything." And they do.
And some of us have certainly fallen, to say the least -- defected to the enemy's side even...so convinced are they that no sustenance from our leaders will be forthcoming in the forseeable future or at least not in the quantity or quality making it worth sticking around for. That infraction is not ISIS' but our own nation's. ISIS just reaps the rewards -- a reality the United States should not take lightly. Moreso, it should stand as a clear warning of things to come given the lingering "purposelessness" of so many continues or - worse yet - is allowed to grow.
As history has the habit of repeating itself, what begins as one simple "flag on a play" can quickly become a war of many "flags" of which the United States will be battling from within as readily as externally given this nation fails to effectuate immediate and serious strides to straighten itself out, bring "hope" back to its people, and ignite a belief in our collective future. Only then will each of us find renewed individual purposes and - for some - entirely new purposes. Only then will the harmful temptations offered by others become less appealing and more appalling in nature and consideration.
For our political leaders to quit helping ISIS "divide and conquer" our nation, they must begin by stabilizing relationships in Washington so that the rest of the country may follow their example while gaining a greater sense of order, confidence, and peace. This isn't to say that these many voices shouldn't resound their differences of opinion. It is to remind all those holding our futures in their hands of the mass benefits varying opinions can hold in determining the most optimal solutions. The truth is "differences can - very well - unite rather than divide" given they are weighed and integrated properly, responsibly, and with the greater good of all in mind. It is a lesson of great benefit everyone living in the United States needs to "see" right about now...don't you think?
It is only when individuals or groups within a society feel slighted, overlooked, or unheard do they begin to erect walls of hostility that lead to larger issues, including maintaining a seperateness from the rest. Why remain a productive member of a society that seemingly cares very little for your existence or participation past how much money they can abscond from your weekly paycheck? Where's the purpose in that? It a question that holds much merit.
Changing the way so many view our government and its involvement in our lives is imperative to bring pride back to this nation and "purpose" back to its people. The blatant animosity between the various political parties surely has an effect on everyone watching them. Possibly, if all of Washington actually took a step back, looked at what is realistically happening to this country, and then charged themselves with the task of clearly understanding and defining their own renewed purpose as a governing body in need of leading, the people of this nation might do the same on both larger and smaller scales.
As some are concerned that we are "currently" and "quickly" meeting the many prophecies arising from prior days - which speak to the end of man's existence as a whole - there is tremendous worry arising across this nation. Mind you, I do not believe this. To me, we are experiencing a serious "rough patch" coupled by harsh "growing pains. It is what we do during this time that will determine if I am wrong and those bent on believing that man is entering his last days at this very minute are right. Given the breath of the horrific scenarios available to choose from, I believe, the United States is more likely to buckle under its own stupidity and be conquered by a more aggressive, intelligent, and powerful enemy prior to presentlystanding as the catalyst to the demise of the entire planet. But that is my personal opinion and possibly the remarks of a writer who makes it a point of keeping her ego in check (most of the time, that is).
Either way, no one should leave a country because that country has given them better reasons to go than to stay. If ISIS has become a "better reason" to hop ship for some, think about how bad these people must have it. That is a "fix" that needs to be immediately made for the safety, security, and hope of the rest of us choosing to remain. That is a "fix" Washington needs to all come together on less they have no one left to concern themselves with, leaving them jobless and equally as purposelessness as so many of its people once felt.
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