ISIL must not be allowed to flourish: #tellusatoday

The 14th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks prompted a discussion among readers about today’s fight against the Islamic State. Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

I don’t know what the solution is, but unless many other countries also get serious about taking on the Islamic State, the problem won’t be solved. The USA can’t handle this alone, and it does seem our current efforts are not accomplishing much.

— Bob Johnstone

It is very sobering that, after thousands of deaths and trillions of dollars spent, we are seeing our efforts crumble to dust. Not only are trainers, spotters and more air power needed, but also the full spectrum of U.S. and allied special operations, at a very minimum.

Defeat the Islamic State and leave. This movement must be destroyed, root and branch. Let’s start with their fighters and the territory they control. We can go a long way toward quashing the message by imposing very long prison sentences for supporters, facilitators and instigators back home or wherever.

— Ian Wilkie

Our military adventures in Iraq, our idiotic setup of a Shiite-controlled government there, and support for the destabilization of the Syrian government are the key reasons for the existence of ISIL.

— Mickey Cashen

We cannot be the world’s policemen, yet ISIL has killed Americans. It is the responsibility of our government to address groups that kill Americans.

— Julie Felix

Letter to the editor:

There doesn’t seem to be any point in trying to talk peace with a group such as ISIL that will destroy anything that dares to challenge its destructive agenda. That said, it is incumbent upon the rest of the free world to wipe it off the face of the Earth. The same can be said of al-Qaeda and its ilk. To sustain a civilized world, we must all put aside petty hatred, racial hatred and political hatred and reach a reasonable solution, or it will be the end of us all.

Herbert W. Stark; Mooresville, N.C.

We asked what the U.S. should do, at home and abroad, to fight ISIL. Comments from Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

Educate public that it’s not religion that does bad; it’s people who use religion to be violent. Then work with global leaders as a team to find a solution. This can not be fought alone. The world needs to unite.

— @moniquejacobs

The USA, as a world leader, should intervene with ground forces and lead with more strength against ISIL.

— @alejandroreyjim

Don’t send U.S. ground troops. The Iraqi troops shouldn’t expect the U.S. to fight all their battles for them.

— @jetsjets

For more discussions, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday.