Paris--2

I don't know about you, but I have been horrified at the rhetoric in this country since the Paris massacre. Closing our boarders, boots on the ground, military actions beyond the already daily bombings, distrust of Muslim-Americans, closing mosques, special lists for Muslim-Americans to keep check on them...on and on it goes, driven by fear, shaking the foundations of our country.

Western military involvement in the Middle East arguably created Isis. More Westerners on the ground would just give Isis more power to recruit new members. And all the suggestions in the first paragraph mean Isis has already won but turning us into a nation of fear and terror. They've already won if we stop being Americans of all shades and start being Islamiphobes.

Yes, there needs to be a military victory against Isis. But it must come from military in the region. Saudi Arabia and Iran have significant and modern armies and air forces. And something I haven't heard anyone suggest: the 4th most powerful military in the world (after the US, China and Russia) is Israel. What an opportunity to engage Muslim and Jewish military power to defeat a common enemy--all are threatened by Isis. What a remarkable way to finally bring Peace to the Middle East!

What's that old saying? "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

American military presence in the region created the fertile ground from which Isis grew. Our presence there again would only strengthen the radicals.

What about that: Iran, the Saudis and Israel driving Isis into oblivion?

Times like ours have complicated problems that require equally complicated solutions.

Why not?