Dent Condems ISIS Genocide of Christians, Ethnic Minorities

(From Charlie Dent, Washington, D.C) This week, Rep. Charlie Dent joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives in decrying the systematic extermination of Christians and other ethnic and religious minorities by ISIS. The unanimous vote of 393 to 0 demonstrated a strong national consensus that the atrocities committed against Christians, Yezidis, Turkmen, Sabea-Mandeans, Kaka'e, and Kurds that continue to be carried out by ISIS should be recognized as “war crimes,” “crimes against humanity,” and “genocide.”

“The grotesque and barbaric actions that the terrorists of ISIS continue to engage in across the Middle East undoubtedly constitute acts of deliberate and horrific genocide. These fanatical zealots are carrying out a systematic persecution and destruction of civilizations that have thrived in this region for hundreds and thousands of years. I urge the State Department to recognize the immediacy of this threat and lead the international community in a concerted effort to prevent the extinction of some of the world’s oldest Christian communities,” stated Rep. Dent following the vote.

Through this bipartisan action, the House of Representatives added its united voice to a growing international coalition that has recognized that the horrific atrocities of ISIS constitute genocide and must be stopped. The European Parliament, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, Pope Francis, and many others stand in solidarity in condemning the ISIS genocide in the strongest possible terms.

The Resolution passed by the House also commends the efforts of our allies in the region who have gone above and beyond in aiding the innocent men, women, and children fleeing the violence of ISIS. Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq have all distinguished themselves by sheltering and protecting these refugees until they can safely return to their homes.

Dent: Hit Pause Button on Syrian Refugees

Congressman Charlie Dent, one of the few grown ups left in Washington, has issued a statement concerning the vicious terrorist attacks in Paris. He has suggested we hit the "pause" button on the acceptance of Syrian refugees until we are more certain that we are doing all we can to prevent a Jihad John from slipping through the cracks. He has also called on the President to establish a comprehensive strategy for dealing with ISIS. Although Obama has taken action, it is likely time for United States forces to expand rules of engagement that have been criticized by military experts.

Our hearts and our prayers are with the people of France, America’s oldest ally, following the recent terrorist attacks. These attacks provide a clear demonstration that the Administration’s response to the growing threat of the Islamic State (ISIS) in the Middle East has been inadequate and ineffective.

Many will recall Vice President Biden’s statement in September of 2014 that we would “follow them [ISIS] to the gates of hell” and that we would “degrade and destroy” them.

Unfortunately, the actions of the Administration have not matched that rhetoric.

It is long past time that the President, in consultation with our national security leadership, develop a comprehensive political and military strategy and present it to Congress and the American people.

Now, in part due to President Obama’s failure to lead, we are faced with instability in the Middle East, an emboldened ISIS, and a humanitarian crisis of millions fleeing from the war zone in Iraq, Syria and other parts of the region.

Let me be clear: America is a caring nation. Our national heart is huge and the plight of the displaced, no matter their race, color or creed, moves us.

In fact, this past year, the United States provided $3 billion in refugee assistance, of which $2.5 billion went to global refugee programs that provide support for people displaced by violence abroad. We provided more than $615 million in economic support to our strong ally in the region, Jordan, to help them absorb the costs of the staggering number of refugees they have already accepted into their country.

However, the security of my constituents, and of all Americans, is one of my responsibilities as an elected Representative. Therefore, I support pausing the acceptance of Syrian refugees until a prompt review of the vetting process is completed by the appropriate federal agencies including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the intelligence community.

Our current vetting process and security measures are comprehensive, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned in the Age of Terror - no system is foolproof nor is there one that cannot be improved by additional testing and review.

We’ve also learned that hindering our own counter-terrorism efforts in order to appease the ideological fringes of our society is counter-productive.

That is why I am reiterating my firm stand against closing the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. Moving the detainees held at Guantanamo to the United States and holding them here would pose an unacceptable risk to the security of Americans with no benefit.

Additionally, we should maintain strong intelligence-gathering activities that have been proven effective in preventing terrorist attacks on America and our allies.

The terrorist attack in Paris proves definitively that ISIS is not “contained” or the “JV” team as President Obama has maintained. We must have a comprehensive strategy and decisive action to defeat them.”

In the fight against Nazism, we were more than willing to endure total war. That included rationing and all kinds of sacrifices. But that was the greatest generation. This is the Selfish Generation, unwilling to do anything except draw red lines. Until it's too late. So I can understand Obama's reluctance to do what he needs to do. But it should be obvious to him now that his strategy is simply inadequate.

The ISIS Hit List

Those cRaZy knuckleheads at ISIS have published a hit list of 100 members of the US military, including their personal identification information.

"Kill them in their own lands, behead them in their own homes, stab them to death as they walk their streets thinking that they are safe."

Alrighty then.

See, the difference between members of the U.S. military and the usual victims of ISIS atrocities is that the military tends to shoot back.Come to think of it, with 300 million guns in this country, so do everyone else.

But not the sheep.

CNN is calling this an "unknown group."

Do the Crusades Justify Beheadings of 21 Coptic Christians.

In September, President Obama stated, in the wake of savagery manifested by ISIS, that the United States would do more than contain the threat. “We are going to degrade and ultimately defeat [ISIS],” he stated. But ISIS has instead expanded beyond the borders of Syria and Iraq. Late yesterday, at a beach in Lybia, ISIS beheaded 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians.

While ISIS tightens its bloody grip on the Middle East, two groups have been willing to stand strongly against them, the Israelis and the Kurds. In fact, as the beheading video was being broadcast, Kurds have recaptured 163 villages and have taken a critical hill in Raqqa Province.

ISIS' latest atrocities, which includes the execution of a Jordanian pilot by burning him alive, might spur other voices of moderation in the Middle East.

And here, one lone brigade of 4,000 soldiers - the 3rd Brigade Combat team - is on its way to Kuwait.

Obama, who not long ago reminded everyone that Christians were the aggressors during the Crusades, is making his usual tepid response where nothing less than strong leadership is needed. He and Congress will talk while more people are beheaded.

Interestingly, it was possible for ISIS to perform these grisly beheadings in Libya precisely because The United States was leery of sending ground troops into Libya, even after the American Ambassador was killed.

Incidentally, Coptic Christianity is now nearly extinct. A Jew from Allentown, Michael Molovinsky, has been chronicling their demise for years. Four years ago, he noted that Saint Mena Coptic Orthodox Church, which dates back to the 6th century, was put to the torch by an Egyptian mob while the army stood by.