Dear Scott Tipton,
If we are concerned for our safety in a world with things such as ISIS, we must stop painting them as an "other". The people who are part of ISIS are still people; to think otherwise is what makes them dangerous.
In this world right now there is one major colonial empire, and it is the United States. We have a good portion of the blame in radicalizing terrorists groups the world over. We are stuck in an almost laughable 'Romeo and Juliet' like situation. An old, medieval blood-fude with a region of the world. The more we occupy their land, the more we bomb them, the more we fight them, the more angry they become. The less safe we become.
The cycle must be broken by someone. We can stand up as the 'better person', it is within our theoretical power at any rate, and begin the cease-fire.
It might be a long time if we wait for ISIS to stand up as the better person.
If Congress is looking for a "Better Way Agenda", peace and diplomacy must be the biggest part of it, not aimlessly "strengthening our national defense, so we can defeat terrorists, protect our borders, etc".
War begets more war. War is not safe. All the rest are just so many metaphorical band-aids on a hemorrhaging wound.
I am glad to hear that the "Better Way Agenda" includes communication; please remember that the most important people to communicate with is your enemy.
