Jihad Leader Killed in Northern Mali

MUJWA is just one of the Jihadist groups in West Africa

       The man purportedly behind numerous high profile attacks and kidnappings has been killed by French troops.  The man, Ahmed el Tilemsi, was the military head and co-founded the jihadist group called the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA).  He ran one of the several groups active in the region.  In December 2012, the U.S. Government designated el Tilemsi as a terrorist and offered up to $5 million for information leading to him.  He was killed on Wednesday night in a French military operation, which was coordinated with the Malian forces.  Approximately 10 other suspected terrorists were "neutralized" in the same operation.  The former colony of France says they were either killed or taken captive.  The group has previously abductee aid workers, attacked police bases and kidnapped diplomats.  The attacks all took place in Algeria and since 2012 the group has been relatively quiet.  

       This man had been a known suspect for a number of years and I think that the french government was correct in their actions and reasonings.  Upon further investigation, el Tilemsi was a former member of al Qaeda and in September 2011, broke off into the Islamic Maghreb.  This man has been a known terrorist for many years past.  However, over the past two years, el Tilemsi and his group have been rather quiet in the realm of jihadists.  Many argue that the price of death is wrongful to impose on a person because of their actions.  They go on to say that life was not given to you by a government therefore, the government should not be able to take that away from you.  There are definitely pros and cons to all beliefs and thoughts towards this matter.  However, European governments do not seem to be open to other thoughts on this matter.  I think we can all agree though that it is a good thing that people like el Tilemsi are put to rest.

William Deo

Adapted from:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/11/world/africa/jihadist-leader-killed-mali/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

The Garner Verdict Will Not Be Let Up

Obama on Garner verdict: 'We are not going to let up'

       On Wednesday President Barack Obama said that he and Attorney General Eric Holder are not going to let up in the effort to solve the problem of racial tensions that exists between law enforcement officers and minorities in communities nationwide.  These remarks came after the second controversial non-indiction of a police officer in the past month.  Eric Garner, an unarmed black man was subject of a chokehold death in July.  The Justice Department is currently investigating the death of Eric Garner and whether civil rights were violated. Obama claims that the government must work to strengthen the trust and accountability that exists between American communities and law enforcement division.  Many white representatives thank the Staten Island grand jury for doing justice even though, unlike in Ferguson incident, there is video evidence of the police's confrontation with Mr. Garner that exists. 

       I think that the American government needs to realize that this is an American problem.  Not just simply a black or minority problem.  The entire identity of the country is tarnished if every person is not being treated equally under the law.  I think Obama needs to spread this message to his people.  I think now that multiple examples of such cases have taken place, law enforcement need to improve training and become more accountable in order to regain and strengthen trust within local communities.  I think that the government needs to be entirely scrupulous in researching and investigating cases where accountability and partiality are concerns.  Charlie Rangel, a representative for the 13th District of New York said that we need to take this cancer in the American system and cut it out once and for all.  I fully agree with Rangel, all law enforcement must be completely impartial and accountable for all actions. 

William Deo

Adapted from: http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/03/politics/obama-eric-holder-on-eric-garner/index.html?iref=allsearch 

We Never Talk About Race Until Something Bad Happens

Often criticized for speaking out, Mr. Barkley provides
some harsh realities.

       Is it true?  In a recent interview with CNN, Charles Barkley, the man that does not mean to create controversies, just bring them to our attention, is once again doing his job.  Barkley said that he firmly stands by his comments he recently made.  Those include calling people who torched Ferguson buildings "Scumbags" and fellow black men degrading successful African-Americans as not black enough.  Barkley also agreed with the grand jury's decision not to indict former Officer Darren Wilson.  During the interview, Barkley repeatedly returned to the point that he does not believe that white cops are out to shoot black people because of racism.  He claims that we never discuss race in this country until something bad happens, even then, it usually reflects the tribe mentality.  This tribe mentality trumps everything else our minds, giving us the thought that no matter what, our group is correct, regardless of any other thoughts in our minds.  Barkley reminds that the black community has a lot of crooks and thieves, and that is that main reason that the police racially profile the African-American community, something Barkley does not always see as correct.  

       It is with extreme caution that I say that I agree with the words of Mr. Barkley.  While they are slightly too extreme for me to utter, this idea is something that is logical.  The fundamental idea is that this racial profiling has been brought upon black people, by black people.  Over decades and decades.  I disagree with the angry and destructive protests that ended up taking place after the grand-jury had announced their decision.  Anybody who is willing to peacefully protest is a great symbol of the United States of America, because that is the way that the country has developed and evolved.  This was shown most beautifully when NFL players held up their hands towards the sky as a symbolic gesture to Michael Brown and his family.  However, burning property, police cars and destroying houses of unknown owners is completely unnecessary and just leads to further racial profiling.  The police truly aren't out and about looking for black people to kill, the black community needs to engage in some self-examination in order to understand exactly what is happening in my opinion.   

William Deo

Adapted from: http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/02/us/charles-barkley-on-race/index.html?hpt=us_c2

ISIS Wife arrested in Lebanon

The woman suspected of being al-Baghdadi's wife

       According to a source, Lebanese authorities have arrested a wife of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.  He is the man spearheading the Islamist terror group's rampage across Syria and Iraq. According to the source, Saja al-Dulaimi is one of Baghdadi's two wives.  Her arrest came after weeks of planning this operation.  She is recognized as a powerful figure that is heavily involved in the movement.  However, this claim has not been without opposition.  Other sources claim that this woman is al-Baghdadi's ex-wife, not a current one.  Nevertheless, Al-Baghdadi is calling for the release of his son who was captured along with his wife at the border.  Al-Dulaimi was released from Syrian custody in March as part of a group of 150 women who were freed in exchange for a group of Syrian Nuns.  

       Mystery surrounds the arrest of a woman who may be the ISIS leader's wife.  I think that the plan of capturing all suspected members of ISIS at first hint is a good one.  Not only does this exclude them from all operations for the time being, but it can also lead to crucial information being released in an effort to stop the radical movement.  While little is known such as the exact date or even the gender of al-Dulaimi's child, we do know that this event took place.  Lebanon in recent years has been cracking down on border security in an attempt to prevent members of ISIS seeping into Lebanon.  They are trying to avoid problems spilling over from Iraq and Syria.  However, there are many questions as to why al-Dulaimi might be trying to escape Syria to enter Lebanon.  Is he estranged from them?  Were they trying to escape from him?  These all are possibilities, although nothing has been proven yet.  Yet the question still remains, is she simply an ex-wife who was married to a bad guy and had  a child?  Until this question has been answered, no further assumptions can be made.  

William Deo

Adapted from: http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/02/world/meast/lebanon-isis-leader-family/index.html?hpt=hp_t2