ISIS: Call it what it is

It’s time to stop referring to ISIS as a radical Muslim State. There is no respected Muslim cleric or Muslim organization that endorses their brand of religious extremism. They only pretend to be a religious organization to gain some sort of legitimacy. They are in fact nothing more than a vicious criminal organization that preys on disenfranchised youth who are trying to find meaning in life. Their deeds show them for who they really are.

They videotape the gruesome executions of innocent people to spread fear and intimidation to those who oppose them. Their methods of intimidation are worse than those used by the Nazis who terrorize Europe. They publicly deface and destroy ancient temples in the name of their so-called religion, while privately they sell the looted artifacts on the black market. Their crimes are horrendous: mass murder, kidnap, rape, extortion and theft.

By referring to ISIS as a radical Muslim religious group we only give them credibility. It’s time for the United Nation or the World Court to brand ISIS as the criminal organization it is. Once ISIS is officially recognized as a criminal organization, anyone who joins them or gives them material support will be considered as accomplices of their crimes. When ISIS fighters are captured, they should not be given prisoner of war status. They should be held as accomplices for murder, kidnap and rape.

These criminals have far too long been allowed to take advantage of desperate people in failed states. We can no longer wait for the political structures to put in place before acting to bring these criminals to justice. What we need is warrants for the arrest of ISIS - its leaders and followers, along with those who provide material support. Once we have the warrants then we can form up the posse and go dispense some real justice. How many more thousands will have had their lives destroyed before we act to end this madness? America must lead in the effort to bring these evil men to justice, but we cannot do it alone; it must be done with Arab partners.

This action can take on United Nations police action, with no intention of holding any territory, simply arresting the bad guys, destroying criminal organization, then getting the hell out of Dodge.

GARY DeYOUNG

Kingston