Terror attacks in Germany, Turkey spark new fears: #tellusatoday

The Islamic State terrorist group has taken credit for a recent attack on a holiday market in Berlin that killed 12 and injured 50, calling the perpetrator a “soldier” of the movement.

Facebook comments edited for clarity and grammar:

Perhaps those who attack Islam as the root of violence and evil should look at our own history of violent and aggressive behavior. The U.S. has invaded and occupied Islamic countries, destroying societies and killing or displacing millions of people. Do you think, perhaps, that may have something to do with the hatred being directed at the West?

—Bruce Freiberg

POLICING THE USA: A look at race, justice, media

President-elect Donald Trump is right. We must more thoroughly check out all Muslims before we let them into the U.S.

—Gil Fidler

People are confusing terrorists who claim to have some religious motivation for their actions with actual religious followers who are not radicals. Real followers of Islam do not deserve to be lumped in with idiots.

—Jeff Huffman

Chancellor Angela Merkel has put the people of Germany in jeopardy with the acceptance of refugees. The United States needs to protect itself by not allowing just anyone in.

Refugees and immigrants are welcome once they have had incredibly in-depth background checks.

—Lou Creola

Letter edited for clarity and grammar:

In the case of the diplomat who was killed at a gallery, the assassin was a police officer, which proves that we can’t tell the good guys from the bad in this war on terror.

With cells all over the world ready to strike at a moment’s notice, stepping up the fight against terrorism won’t do a bit of good.

Radical extremists won’t feel it nearly as much as our troops. These brainwashed fighters are happy to die as martyrs.

JoAnn Lee Frank; Clearwater, Fla.

We asked readers what they thought could be done to prevent acts of terror like the Berlin attack.

Tweets edited for clarity and grammar:

The war on terror will never come to an end. Individuals or groups will always be a threat to those living in a free society.

—@JeffOstach

I can’t help thinking that being exposed to violence via TV, movies and games desensitizes and normalizes violence.

—@NicoleBureau

Start educating people that there is no need to die for a spirit in the sky.

—@HDblurredvision

History is cyclical. Every time the world starts moving forward, religious nuts clinging to power ruin it.

—@JeffW188

For more, follow @USATOpinion and #tellusatoday on Twitter.