American Kayla Mueller Killed by Islamic State

On Tuesday the White House confirmed the death of Kayla Jean Mueller, a 26 year old American humanitarian held hostage by the Islamic State, the president gave this statement to the country regarding her death.

“It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the death of Kayla Jean Mueller.  On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I convey our deepest condolences to Kayla’s family – her parents, Marsha and Carl, and her brother Eric and his family – and all of those who loved Kayla dearly.  At this time of unimaginable suffering, the country shares in their grief.

Kayla dedicated her life to helping others in need at home and around the world.  In Prescott, Arizona, she volunteered at a women’s shelter and worked at an HIV/AIDS clinic.  She worked with humanitarian organizations in India, Israel, and the Palestinian territories, compelled by her desire to serve others.  Eventually, her path took her to Turkey, where she helped provide comfort and support to Syrian refugees forced to flee their homes during the war.  Kayla’s compassion and dedication to assisting those in need shows us that even amongst unconscionable evil, the essential decency of humanity can live on.

Kayla represents what is best about America, and expressed her deep pride in the freedoms that we Americans enjoy, and that so many others strive for around the world.  She said:  “Here we are.  Free to speak out without fear of being killed, blessed to be protected by the same law we are subjected to, free to see our families as we please, free to cross borders and free to disagree.  We have many people to thank for these freedoms and I see it as an injustice not to use them to their fullest.”

Kayla Mueller used these freedoms she so cherished to improve the lives of others.  In how she lived her life, she epitomized all that is good in our world.  She has been taken from us, but her legacy endures, inspiring all those who fight, each in their own way, for what is just and what is decent.  No matter how long it takes, the United States will find and bring to justice the terrorists who are
responsible for Kayla’s captivity and death.

ISIL is a hateful and abhorrent terrorist group whose actions stand in stark contrast to the spirit of people like Kayla.  On this day, we take comfort in the fact that the future belongs not to those who destroy, but rather to the irrepressible force of human goodness that Kayla Mueller shall forever represent.”

This is the fourth American hostage killed, the Islamic State is claiming that Kayla Jean Mueller was killed by an airstrike conducted by Jordanian pilots in retaliation for the killing of Jordanian pilot Lt. Muath al-kaseasbeh. 

Goto Beheaded on Saturday

Today I looked up Kenji Goto because I was very curious as to how he was doing and how the whole situation turned out. On Saturday morning Kenji Goto was beheaded and the video was posted on social media. When I looked up his name on Google I found something shocking, a picture of Kenji with his head sitting on his back which was lying on the ground. Goto has been in my prayers for the past week and I know people all around the world were doing the same.

I truly believed that this hostage situation could work out for the best, and my first thoughts were that it hadn’t. When I thought deeply about it however I realized that maybe this will end in good, maybe this will wake Japan up and cause them to take a stronger role in the international fight against ISIL. Maybe this will cause countries to reassess their ideas of isolationism and will call them to arms against this great threat. What is the point of living free when others cannot even feel the same freedom? I for one will not live in arrogance and ignore what other people around the world are facing in their daily lives.

How could we allow such things to go on in the world while we live blissfully and safely in our nice comfortable lives, nothing to disturb them. This weekend I went through a hard time, I went through a break up after two years, and then we kind of got back together and it was hurtful and confusing. When I compare my problems to Goto’s they pale in comparison. My problems are so silly and it puts it all into perspective, my life is so perfect compared to others in the world, I have it so easy. I go about my daily life in safety, I don’t have to worry about the safety of my family, I can say what I want and get what I want when I want it. My life is so simple, so easy in comparison to others; it makes me strive to do my best in everything because I have been blessed beyond belief. Goto lost his life and left a family behind, I get mad when I don’t get a good dinner--I’m so foolish.

Another thought came to my head, if I could easily access this picture then so could Goto’s children. One day they will be able to access the beheaded picture of their father and that is the last (most recent) picture that they will see of him. Goto’s mother had to see her son beheaded on camera; his wife had to watch his last breaths, his last screams. The picture I saw left a very distinct mark in my thoughts, imagine what it does to his family and friends—God bless them. 

ISIL Decapitates Haruna Yukawa, Goto Reaches Out for Release

Over the weekend it was reported that two Japanese citizens, Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto, were being held hostage by Islamic State terrorists who demanded $200 million for Haruna Yukawa and the release of Sajida al-Rishawi (A female terrorist on death row) for Kenji Goto.

When Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe refused to pay the $200 million for the release of Haruna Yukawa, the Islamic State extremist group answered with a chilling response. According to The Washington Post “The Syria-based Islamic State group released a video over the weekend that showed hostage Kenji Goto, a 47-year-old journalist, holding the photo of what appeared to be the decapitated body of 42-year-old Haruna Yukawa, his countryman.”

In a video released by the terrorists on YouTube and twitter we can hear Kenji Goto claiming that “This is my last message” and that “time is now running very short, it is me for her,” in relation to Sajida al-Rishawi. “I only have 24 hours left to live” says Goto then “please, don’t leave us to die.”

The video still has yet to be verified by the Japanese government and the deadline for the release of Sajida al-Rishawi is tonight January 29^th.

"Stolen Valor"

Lately I have been reading articles and watching videos on “stolen valor” and I wanted to look into where it came from and how it became a law. Many people have seen the videos on YouTube of soldiers calling out frauds dressed in uniform with medals in public places. Websites such as Extreme Seal Experience and the Fake Warriors Project seek after and report citizens impersonating military personnel in an effort to stop fraud and “stolen valor”.

In 2005 president George W.  Bush signed into affect the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 and defines “stolen valor” as a person who “falsely represents himself or herself, verbally or in writing, to have been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces of the United States,” the act also states that these claims “damage the reputation and meaning of such decorations and medals.” In reference to the “Medal of Honor, the distinguished-service cross, the Navy cross, the Air Force cross, the Purple Heart, and other decorations and medals awarded by the President or the Armed Forces of the United States”

In the Supreme Court case of United States vs. Alverez the Supreme Court found the Act to be unconstitutional and effectively took away its ability to protect against “stolen valor”. This is when veterans and civilians alike took matters into their own hands by publicly shaming frauds and creating websites that allows you to check the credentials of someone claiming to have served in the military.

In 2013 President Barack Obama amended the Stolen Valor Act stating that “Whoever, with intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit, fraudulently holds oneself out to be a recipient of a decoration or medal described in subsection (c)(2) or (d) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than one year, or both.''.

I think that it’s crazy that people would impersonate military personnel and steal their valor; it’s shameful to even claim to be military if you’re not. Every day soldiers put their lives on the line to protect our rights and the rights of people all around the world, good men and women have died serving this country from the beginning of its foundation and you want to claim that you have sacrificed what they have. If you want to be seen as a military hero so badly then why not join? Or volunteer in some way to help? There are other ways to help protect this country and be seen as a “hero”.

U.S Department of Defense Reports Details on ISIL Fighting

The U.S Department of Defense reported “Dec. 12, 2014 Update – U.S. and partner nation military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria Dec 10-12 using fighter and bomber aircraft to conduct seven airstrikes.

Five airstrikes near Kobani destroyed five ISIL fighting positions and also struck another ISIL fighting position. Near Aleppo, an airstrike struck five ISIL-occupied buildings. Near al-Qaim, on the Syrian border, an airstrike destroyed two ISIL fortifications.

All aircraft exited the strike areas safely. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the U.S., Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.” Counties all around the world are now participating in the affront on the ISIL fighters.  Countries including Albania, Germany, The Netherlands, Andorra, Greece, New Zealand, Arab League, Hungary, Norway, Australia, Ireland, Oman, Austria, Italy, Poland, and many more are conducting or supporting attacks against the terrorists.

The U.S Department of Defense also reported that in Iraq “our airstrikes near Sinjar destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle and two ISIL storage containers and also struck another ISIL armored vehicle and an ISIL checkpoint. Near Ramadi, four airstrikes destroyed an excavator and five ISIL vehicles and also struck an ISIL-occupied building and three ISIL units. Near Ar Rutbah, three airstrikes destroyed two bulldozers and an ISIL storage container. Near Mosul, three airstrikes destroyed a bunker and a bulldozer and also struck an excavator. Near al-Qaim, three airstrikes destroyed four ISIL vehicles, two ISIL-occupied buildings, an ISIL storage container, and an ISIL guard tower and also struck an ISIL bunker. Near Samarra, an airstrike struck a large ISIL unit. Near Rawah, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL guard shack. Near Al Asad an airstrike struck an ISIL staging area.”

The damage is adding up but will it be enough to keep the U.S out of a ground war? I believe that we will be forced into a ground war and will not be able to completely wipe out an entire army using only airstrikes. 

Syrian Refugees

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said "The Syrian crisis has become the biggest humanitarian emergency of our era, yet the world is failing to meet the needs of refugees and the countries hosting them," in relation to refugees fleeing Syria for the last couple years.

According to “Al Jazeera and agencies” a total of 6.5 million Syrians have been displaced from their homes, representing about 30 percent of Syria's pre-war population of 23 million. Over half of all those who uprooted are children, the UN said, describing "cities where populations are surrounded, people are going hungry and civilians are being targeted or indiscriminately killed".

Organizations such as the UN and The World Food Program have been raising money through donations to cover the costs of the refugees, the World Food Program is asking for $1 donations to restore food vouchers for hungry families in desperate need for help. The World Food Program is reportedly short on the funds required to help the refugees by as much as $600 million and the situation is only getting worse.

I feel that it’s important for people to remain informed about what is going on in the world, how can you judge how the world works or claim to have reasonable opinion if you are not informed about the happenings in the world. It is very sad that these people’s lives are being destroyed but I challenge everyone to take a step farther than simply feeling bad, take action! There are many organizations you can donate as little as $1 and it really does make a difference, even $1 can help feed hungry families and save children’s lives, make a difference! What is the point of living so well in America if others are suffering and you can help them by giving something you won’t even miss? It all becomes very real when you become informed and you see the damage for yourself, challenge yourselves and do something that is bigger than yourself, help a family in need.

Possible ISIS Chemical Attacks on Kurdish Civilians, U.S “Prepared to Act”

Several unconfirmed reports have been made by reporters and even one Kurdish official that chemical weapons have been used on civilians in Kobani. Asya Abdullah says that it is possible that “It could have been a silent missile” or even “a missile placed in the neighborhood beforehand,” Abdullah claims that “We are investigating the situation but do not have the necessary technical equipment or expertise."

The city is severely struggling to take care of  the injured or sick civilians, one of the only 4 doctors in the city reported that “Several patients came to health center at 11:10 p.m. with burn in the throat, as well as complaining about headache, though their situation is not very severe." It is also reported that most of the fighting is no longer going on in the center of the town, but around it.

Syria agreed to give up their chemical weapons when Obama threatened them with a missile strike last fall; however it seems that not all weapons were given up. In September the president said “I welcome the progress made between the United States and Russia through our talks in Geneva, which represents an important, concrete step toward the goal of moving Syria's chemical weapons.” The president also reassured citizens that “if diplomacy fails, the United States remains prepared to act.”