Pavelow

From the quick research I've done, since 2002, there have been 8 attacks against Western nations on their soil, inspired by Islamic ideology. In 2014, just off the top of my head, there have been 5 total terror attacks, 2 carried out, 3 foiled by governments. I mean, look at all the Westerners going over to IS and converting to their version of Islam. It was never this bad before. Yes, the media is making it worse, but when IS is able to have Twitter and Facebook accounts, multiple websites, youtube channels run in their name, etc they are spreading their message rather quickly and farther than before. Before IS rose to their current power, and after we killed bin Laden, you rarely heard anything coming out of the ME. The "Call to Islam" was almost nonexistent. As I've said, the belief and ideology will always be there, but unless there is a group with financial and political means to propagate that message, the message will be weak.

Did you also know that most of the major founding fathers were not true Christians? Jefferson wrote his own Bible and argues with the established Christian Dogma. Adams did not believe in a divine being. Washington never expressed belief in God. Also, the reason there is a "separation between church and state" is because either Adams or Jefferson (forget which one) did not want any religious ideals or beliefs influencing the government. There is also no mention of God in the Constitution. The only reason religious icons, or references were added was because many reverend or religious scholars argued and demanded that some form of God be added to certain elements of our government. Our country try was never founded originally as a christian nation.

But that's exactly what I'm saying. I never said they don't happen. But the frequency with which they happen are few and far between. But when there is a group or event that demands major media attention, or the group makes themselves extremely public, the ideas and beliefs spread like wild fire.

You are right about al-Qaeda and IS. I was unaware they had divorced. Although, I'm willing to lump Boko Haram in with IS. They are both claiming land for the "Islamic Caliphate". While not openly stating they've hitched up with IS, I'm willing to believe they are mutually together. Just to play the Devil's Advocate, who's to say that the American's, back in the 1700s, weren't terrorists? We tarred and feathered loyalists, and treated them cruelly. We used tactics that, at that time, were considered barbaric. We weren't really a country at that point, either. That is almost exactly what IS is doing, but just using religion to justify. They're fighting for a cause, using unconventional, "barbaric" tactics, and cruelly treating those who don't support them. And while these attacks weren't directly caused by IS, they have heavily influenced it. And yes, one can argue that IS's ideology can never be put down, it's also true that when there is no powerful extremist group, domestic attacks motivated by Islamic extremism were scarce. There was no group or cause to rally behind. Almost like with "cop-hating" in the US. 5 years ago, people hated cops, yes, but they didn't openly spew that out, or rally against them. Now with the recent situations, there's a cause and group to rally behind, which is pulling all the "cop-haters" out of the woodwork. Basically, my point is when there isn't a major group in the ME, there ideology isn't as strong in the Western world. Although proven recently, it is debatable both ways.

Because Boko Haram is nothing more than another sect of IS. Since IS formed, they are forcing any other Islamic group to form under the IS banner. That is why Hamas is "at a crisis", as the world news calls it. They don't want to join IS, but IS is threatening them. Combine battling IS on the ground, and also hunting their leadership will prove effective. That is why Al-Qaeda is in disarray right now. Right after we got bin Laden, al-Qaeda occasionally managed to pull off an attack, but nothing like before; they were limping. However, now, they state to be under the IS banner. It's no longer al-Qaeda, AND Boko Haram, AND the Taliban, AND Hamas, AND Hezbollah, etc. It's now IS. THEY, are the Islamic extremist group in the ME. The reason Boko Haram managed to stay strong, is because we never "went after them". Their leader was caught and executed. No blow was dealt to them, as a whole. I was talking to a muslim chaplain about this, and he compared it to the American Revolution- We started fighting as individual colonies with no leadership, and we were failing horrible. As soon as we became united and fought together, we gained ground. For the first time, IS is providing leadership to ALL the Islamic Extremist groups. They're working "together" so to speak. The fact that IS has taken over whole parts of countries, is alarming. The armies aren't able to fight them effectively, and will continue to lose their ground. Could you imagine if IS managed to topple the governments of Iraq or Syria? Then it may be too late to act effectively. I'm not suggesting that the US goes all blitzkrieg on the ME, but other countries should stand up to this. This isn't just the US being "attacked". France has, UK has, Canada has. It's only going to get worse. It should be much more of a coalition than Iraq was, these countries should take a stand for themselves. I realize most of Europe is fairly liberal, and more of a pacifist, but something needs to be done. I wish the US still embraced Big Stick diplomacy.

I agree. We'll never leave the ME. People were already calling it when we were all Iraq; "even if we eliminate IS, another group will come along." and that's exactly what happened. We'll never purge the idea of extremism from the ME. I'm more concerned with IS than I ever was with Al-Qaeda, due to the fact that them rapidly expanding in both area, and military equipment. The rag-tag armies of Syria, Iraq, etc are no match for IS's numbers. Those armies are barely trained, and corruption is rampant. Now IS has been getting free equipment everytime they over run a military position. IS has leadership (if you can even call it that) in the ME. Haram is just another idiot waving a Qu'ran around. If we destroy their leadership, eventually IS will crumble away. Even if we invest in security measures, at some point they'll fail. At some point an attack will happen. No matter what we do. I, personally, don't like standing idly by while a growing threat against the entire West builds.

I showed up in this. 1978 Mustang 2. I made all the girls moist! Note: That's not actually the car I showed up in, but gives you a good idea of her seductive ways. No, but serious. They had loud music playing when everyone showed up, and it was no match for the sweet, orgasmic sound of her v8. It helps when your neighbor allows you to rent his car, for CHEAP.

Because they're directly responsible for attacks in the West. They're ideology is responsible for many attacks that have been foiled. It's not a matter of if, but when there is another attack in the US. At some point, we will have another 9/11 or Charlie Hebdo. I'd prefer not to wait for it to happen. I don't differentiate between al-Qaeda and IS. While their long term goals are different, they're both Islamic extremists who would kill you if you were Christian, Jewish, or "Western". They use the same tactics. Besides, many cells of the taliban and al-Qaeda have joined with IS. Haram is just another warlord who has ties to IS. Going after him would prove futile. "Cut off the head of the snake". While that is harder said than done, the problem and "leaders" originate in the Middle East not Africa.

Well Jordan hanged their prisoner as well as another suspected terrorist, in response to IS. Good for you, Jordan. If only the rest of the world had a pair.

I don't want us to be world police. Definitely against that, but when the US is having their citizens executed for no reason, then that goes beyond just being world police. Now this is happening all over the world with different countries' citizens, and their influence is sparking domestic terrorism. Normally I wouldn't care if this was just an issue in the Middle East, but it's not. If left unchecked, they'll grow in power and influence. They went from peasant hill dwellers, to fanatics that have control of parts of countries with modern military equipment.

Recently, a thread was started here asking how the world can sit back and watch what North Korea is doing, and it more or less got me thinking about this situation with IS. That question should be asked about them. Today, they've executed the captured Jordanian pilot by burning him in a cage. They beheaded the second Japanese prisoner, they've executed British and American journalists, and have went on a killing spree in France, and have inspired multiple, foiled attacks across the world. I've never understood how the world's governments can stand by with no balls. Yet we seem so fixated on Russia and Ukraine. It seems IS is the immediate problem. They're actively killing and executing citizens of different countries, and everyone seems to think they can be reasoned with. Two things immediately pop into my head: One, was the Western world that corrupted and financially motivated to invade Iraq, a country that really didn't have clear ties to Al-Qaeda, after one attack? Two, is the Western world so incredibly ignorant to think we can deal with IS diplomatically? I applaud the the stance Jordan is taking in response to the execution of their pilot; they're supposed to execute the high ranking IS member they are holding, tonight. Japan is castrated because of the US, due to WWII. How many more citizens have to die, innocently, before maybe direct action is needed? It's clear Syria, Iraq, Egypt, etc. don't have their shit together. This is the one time I truly believe the Western world is justified to invade the ME, and cleanse it. If I understand correctly, the US is sending some from the 82nd airborne is headed to Iraq(?). In my opinion more is needed, but it's a start. Warning: Graphic

Because it's not our problem, is why we don't do anything about it. The US, Canada, Germany, France, UK, etc is not anyone's big brother. That kind of thinking is why a lot of countries hate the US. And why I actually believe a lot of ME countries have a legitimate gripe, when they say the US tries to cram "Blue Democracy" down the world's throat. If they want to change start a revolution. Don't tell me it can't happen, because when a people are oppressed enough and truly want change they will start it.

And, if you're in the military, you get to come home to these kinds of dumbshit questions from ignorant friends/family. And tell stories that you find epically hilarious, but your friends/family look at you like "da'fuq".

That's my job, Security Forces. But I'm active. The quality of life is second to none in the US armed forces, but I don't like being told when to take a shit. I prefer more freedom. But the higher ups are political. That's why I'm getting out early.

Air Force Security Forces for a little over 2 yrs. Hate the lifestyle with a passion. But I'm getting a free education and enjoy my job. Although I can do without all the damn politics involved.

On a BMS Binge right now, so the song is stuck in my head currently.

In about 7 years of use, I've only had 2 pieces of malware (adware). Point is, if you're smart, you won't need AV. Unless you download copious amounts of sketchy porn, or frequent P2P sites to download, you shouldn't have to worry. Just download smart and don't be an idiot.

Or they could have asked people to just search ISIS on Liveleak. Lol

I like the idea, but they probably could have gone a bit more over the edge with the realities. Show them all what true, visceral combat looks like.

That attitude, is what is getting people annoyed at you right now. Why would you even post a topic on this site, expecting it to become "a retarded mess"? That's asinine and ignorant. It makes you a troll. I go into every debate hoping to either successfully prove my point, or actually learn something that maybe I didn't know and change my views. On this site, it does go to shit, I'll give you that. They're aggressive here because, as I've already stated, a lot of people here aren't even out of school yet (It is hard to debate gay marriage in the US with somebody who hasn't even taken the basic Government class in HS). I3ubba and cp702(?) are the only 2 that I can think of that can debate well. Most of the people on this site just spew a second hand opinion they heard from a biased news source, and claim it as their own ( AKA we have a lot of 'Waterboys' on this site). This is why I pick and choose what topics to enter. I go into a topic that I know I'm able to debate in, intelligently, unlike a lot of people on this site. When you decide to post an article that you know will turn into a flame war, and go into it assuming that it's going to turn into a retarded mess, then why are you here? You are a troll.

If you don't expect to have a mature informative debate, then why post?! I think your probing 13ubba's point.

Did you expect to have a mature, informative debate on a site where the majority of the members don't even have a diploma? There are few members on here that I can actually have an intelligent conversation with.

I'm just going to call it as I see it. CK and Chester, Goddamn, guys.... Like Holy shit you 2 post a lot. When everyone says "BuzzFeed", they're probably referring to the articles you two post. They're small controversial issues, that quite frankly, don't matter to an international crowd. Are the topics interesting? Sure, but that's why there are sites like BuzzFeed. Chester, you're a prime example of it. I don't know how many threads I read that you've posted that begin with, "So today I want to discuss...". And as stated above, CK just copies the intro to an article and posts the link to the rest of it, and SOMEHOW he generates discussion. By the way, all this is meant in more of a humorous tone and I'm not bashing you guys, but you 2 are a prime example of what Ini and Ill are saying.

Oh shit! Shots fired! --------------------------------- But I agree there are about 3 members that post religiously on that board and think it's Buzzfeed.