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Letters to the Editor

Islamic State cannot be tolerated on any level

Smoke rises over Sinjar, northern Iraq from oil fires set by Islamic State militants in 2015. In 2016, militants could launch strategic attacks on the infrastructure of oil-producing nations across the Middle East, say experts. Worst-case: The attacks coincide with a fresh wave of violence in the oil-rich region of the Niger Delta, a coup in Venezuela and the death of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Smoke rises over Sinjar, northern Iraq from oil fires set by Islamic State militants in 2015. In 2016, militants could launch strategic attacks on the infrastructure of oil-producing nations across the Middle East, say experts. Worst-case: The attacks coincide with a fresh wave of violence in the oil-rich region of the Niger Delta, a coup in Venezuela and the death of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Bram Janssen AP

The Dec. 13 issue of the Herald's Opinion section included a letter from Eric VanArsdall that, in the face of ISIS cruelty and mayhem, Americans should respond in keeping with our best ideals: the rule of law, openness (acceptance or tolerance) and generosity as we respond to the "cruelty and mayhem" of ISIS murderous attacks.

I respect and praise his idealism and forgiving attitude, but it is completely antithetical to the basis of law-based societies throughout history to tolerate, much less forgive, acts of cold-blooded murder.

Dr. Michael Welner, a distinguished and leading practitioner of forensic (scientific crime investigation) psychiatry was recently on Bill Bennett's "Morning in America" AM radio program, and explained in detail the heinous behavior of ISIS, it's founding, growth, and pervasive influence on the rapid spread of terrorism and murder of their enemies in the name of Allah. Their goal? To overthrow unstable existing governments of Muslim nations and establish their own theocratic state in its place. Last year ISIS conducted uncounted public beheadings, military conquests and mass murders in large territories in Iraq and Syria, and capped this year with support of the killing or maiming of 35 people by two Muslim terrorists in San Bernardino, Calif.

This brief sketch of a very complex and troubling war that exists right now has, and will continue, to invade our country and may expand beyond our control, as just demonstrated in San Bernardino.

President Obama took four days or longer to decide this event was an act of organized terrorism. His indecisiveness confirms and emphasizes the opinions of many Americans that our country needs a man of integrity, decisive opposition to terrorism, and action in the White House to face a challenging and dangerous new world.

Richard Evanson

Palmetto

This story was originally published December 19, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Islamic State cannot be tolerated on any level ."

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