Fleeing Terrorists

I’m writing this on Labor Day, a national holiday in the USA and Canada and I think in other countries. That fact has almost nothing to do with the topic of this blog post, though the idea of freedom to work and earn a living does resonate.

I’m much more inspired by the stark images published by international media in the past few days of the lifeless body of a young boy washed ashore in the Mediterranean. Many of you already have heard his name many times, so I’ll not repeat it here. The image causes me to reflect on the reason he was picked up and cradled lovingly by an Italian policeman. He was the victim of terrorism. He and two other members of his family lost their lives fleeing from terrorists.

His father had risked everything to bring his family away from ISIL terrorists who are ripping Syria, Iraq and Iran to pieces, and who have vowed to bring their brand of violent oppression to other parts of the Middle East and eventually they hope to the world. The goal is the establishment of an Islamic State. The terms of this goal DO NOT COMPORT with the true teachings of the Qua-ran. I am not an Islamic scholar but I understand that the Muslim faith does not include favoring the kind of violence being practiced by ISIL.

This tragic family and thousands of others are trying their best to escape the torture, violence and death they would otherwise face if they remained in their homes. They are looking for a place to call home where peace is the rule of the day and where prosperity is theirs to work towards. The flood of victims of terrorism coming to Europe is causing huge pressure on governments worldwide to consider how best to deal with the refugees from ISIL horrors.

I don’t have any particular insight about how to handle the influx, but handle it we must. I think we have an obligation to work on two fronts. 1. help get the victims resettled and, 2. work to end the tyranny of ISIL Terrorism.

The father of this little boy was offered a place in Canada. He has a sister there. But, he rejected the offer, because as I understand and appreciate, he felt a pressing need to bring his dead family back to their homeland for burial. I understand this driving force, but it leaves me sad that he will face the tyranny once again and will perhaps face his own death all to soon.

This particular event does not have any correlation to my story of The Chechen’s Revenge in any direct sort of way. Neither will there be any correlation to the story I am developing for A Prairie Vendetta. But the daily occurrence of terrorism is a part of the reality that under girds both stories. Terrorists plot on a daily basis ways and means of bringing their fight to us. We feel protected in Canada and the USA and other parts of the world and yet we do not know when a terrorist strike will occur. It is important I think to be vigilant and to work where we can to correct the course of history.

Regards

Ron Stotyn, PhD

Thanks for your support friends. Good reading.

P.S. For any of you who would like to order multiple copies of my novel The Chechen’s Revenge you can do so and be rewarded with a 10% discount on the suggested list press. Just order direct from me at northof49publications@gmail.com

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About ronstotyn's northof49

I am a retired college professor and former broadcast journalist. I live in Vermont with my wife. I write near the shores of Lake Champlain. As an author I cast characters in the task of anti-terrorism efforts. The setting for my stories is Canada. My first novel is The Chechen's Revenge, a story of Sean-Guy O'Dwyer-Lariviere and his team of Canadian Anti-terrorism Service agents on the trail of a rebel Chechen, determined to create havoc and death on Toronto's Go Train system. The Chechen's Revenge is now in print and can be ordered online at https://mkt.com/northof49publishing.