Opinion
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- Written by: James BlueWolf
Few Americans today study the motivations and expectations of those very peoples our young warriors and peacemakers are currently shedding their blood and lives for in the Middle East.
The ancient dividing lines between Shiite and Sunni tribesman, both devout followers of Muhammad and believers in Islam, seem locked in a vortex of conflict that ignores any passage of time.
Though the majority of the individual followers of Islam have moved beyond medieval thought, there are those who tenaciously hold onto ancient views of the world and their religion.
This hesitancy to let go of long-held traditional views – dogmatically attempting to preserve what they perceive as authentic Islamic thought – resembles our Conservative Christian community adamantly opposing any reinterpretation of scripture or change in time-honored mores and values.
One must remember that medieval methods, punishments and values of the followers of Islam (and the church) were products of a time in which horrific acts of supreme violence toward people and nations were considered reasonable and were, in fact, commonplace in practice among both religions.
The beliefs, motivations and practices of ISIS are throwbacks to those medieval times. They are that way, not by any haphazard design, but because they are specifically linked to certain prophetic beliefs they hold irrefutable and immutable in time. I believe it is important for Americans to understand those prophecies.
The Islamic State, known as the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), follows a distinctive variety of Islam whose beliefs about the preordained path to the Day of Judgment are all that matter to its strategy.
The prophesied Islamic Caliphate requires immense territory to remain legitimate, as well as a functional bureaucracy divided into civil and military appendages to rule it.
The fighters of the Islamic State are fanatic throwbacks to a medieval form of Islam and are attempting to graphically and authentically copy the most horrific and terrorizing norms of war.
This behavior includes a number of practices that modern Muslims (and Christians) prefer not to acknowledge as integral to their early original sacred texts.
Slavery, crucifixion and beheadings are traditional methods of that time, and are not simply being adopted to freak-out the weak-stomached West and its people. Islamic State fighters support traditional medieval tradition and are dragging it, kicking and screaming, back into the mainstream.
Though the Islamic State must also support the followers of the Caliphate (including providing services like collecting garbage and keeping the water running), nevertheless the “end of days” is the primary leitmotif of its propaganda.
For true believers – the kind who long for epic good-versus-evil battles – visions of apocalyptic bloodbaths fulfill a deep psychological need.
This is the driving force behind the ISIS Caliphate – to fulfill prophecy.
This includes the belief that the armies of Rome (interpreted today as those of the West – and primarily the United States), will mass to meet the armies of Islam in northern Syria, at or near the Syrian city of Dabiq, near Aleppo.
It is here, the Prophet reportedly said, that the armies of “Rome” will set up their camp. The Caliphate will meet them and emerge victorious – for a time. After its battle in Dabiq, the Caliphate will expand as far as Istanbul.
However, at that time, an anti-messiah or Antichrist, known in Muslim apocalyptic literature as Dajjal, will come from the Khorasan region of eastern Iran and overwhelm the Caliphate’s fighters, until just 5,000 remain, cornered in Jerusalem.
Then, just as the anti-messiah Dajjal prepares to finish them off, Jesus (yes, THAT Jesus) – the second-most-revered prophet in Islam – will return to Earth, spear Dajjal, and lead the Muslims to victory!
I bet that 99 percent of the people reading this article never would have guessed that it is Jesus himself that ISIS expects will save them from annihilation at the hands of the Anti-Christ!
The Islamic Caliphate – adhering to a medieval form of morality – is preparing to face its own near-obliteration, while remaining confident that it will receive divine succor from the Messiah, Jesus, if, and only if, it stays true to the prophetic model it believes.
Surprisingly, conservative fundamentalist Christians are also closely following events in the Middle East and point to many similar prophetic events in the book of Revelation and the book of Daniel, chapter 11, to support their own ideas of their view of an “end of days.”
They too look to Jerusalem as the location of final resolution, and to the return of the messianic Jesus to bring about the culmination of the human story. How ironic is that?
What we and our leaders must understand is that this is not a typical movement for power and politics but a sincere fanatical belief that the salvation of their very souls depends on them establishing the Caliphate and fighting the precursor battles with the West, in order to be almost destroyed themselves so as to bring about Jesus return and their final victory.
All the tactics and strategy we employ should be toward NOT fulfilling their prophecy. The problem is that they surround themselves with innocents.
Every step we, or any other force, take toward a final confrontation in Syria – short of a total annihilation of their followers – will simply make them stronger.
James BlueWolf lives in Nice, Calif.
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- Written by: Dr. John Parker
On July 10, President Obama designated 330,780 acres of California’s stunning wildlands as one of our nation’s newest national monuments, “Berryessa Snow Mountain.”
The new monument stretches across parts of seven counties, ranging 100 miles from south of Berryessa Peak to the Snow Mountain Wilderness. The new monument is the second largest in California.
Our nation’s newest monument is far more than beautiful landscapes and pristine rivers and lakes; Berryessa Snow Mountain was home to at least five Native American tribes, hosts cultural sites dating back thousands of years, and reveals a geologic history of more than 140 million years of tectonic plate activity.
The Yuki, Patwin, Pomo, Nomlaki and Lake Miwok Native American tribes all called areas within the new monument home.
We are still discovering cultural sites and learning about these five distinct tribes. By ensuring that this area will remain undeveloped, we can continue to examine evidence and learn about these people and how they adapted to cultural and environmental changes.
Members of the Patwin and Lake Miwok tribes are believed to have resided in semi-subterranean houses in the Cache Creek watershed.
These tribes established permanent territories and communities that were part of a large regional trade and exchange system designed to distribute critical resources throughout the area.
What transpired between these communities has been referred to as a cultural apex, further highlighting the significance of the designation of this area as a national monument.
Located within the monument is the Cache Creek Archeological District (listed on the National Register of Historic Places). Besides being a region of critical environmental concern, Cache Creek and the Cache Creek Wilderness also protect archaeological sites that are still being studied.
Ancient cultural sites in the Cache Creek area contain archaeological evidence of the oldest human occupation in California.
The Yuki and Pomo languages are part of the Yukian and Hokan language families, the two oldest language families in the New World.
Recent archaeological discoveries in the region indicate that people (most likely Yukian speakers) were already residing in the area about 20,000 years ago.
The discovery of 14,000 year-old spear points suggests that the Hokan speakers may have arrived and settled parts of the area at that time.
The present-day Pomo are direct descendants of those early Hokan speaking people. Clovis and Folsom style spear points have also been discovered in the area suggesting 10,000- to 12,000-year-old hunting activities.
The Patwin, Nomlaki and Miwok are more recent arrivals in the area. Linguistic studies suggest that they entered and settled parts of the area about 2,000 years ago.
It is not just the historical sites that make Berryessa Snow Mountain a significant region; it is also a scientifically important area representing 140 million years of tectonic plate activity.
Three plates intersect this region: the North American, Farallon and Pacific. The formations are so significant that geologists are flown to the Berryessa region merely to study certain outcrops.
The rocks found in this new monument are of “profound importance” to our understanding of the geological process that caused this dazzling landscape.
By permanently protecting this ecologically and historically significant region, President Obama has also created a likely economic boon for the area.
With its close proximity to Sacramento, San Francisco, and Santa Rosa, Berryessa Snow Mountain will become a wonderful recreation site, with some studies estimating it could bring in up to $26 million in new economic activity and $500,000 in tax revenue for the surrounding communities in the next five years alone.
President Obama’s designation of Berryessa Snow Mountain as one of our country’s newest national monuments was a historic day.
With this permanent protection, we can continue to examine cultural resources found in the region, uncover details about the formations created from tectonic activity, and enjoy the picturesque landscapes found throughout the monument.
Dr. John Parker is vice president, project review coordinator and collections manager for the Lake County Historical Society based in Kelseyville, Calif.
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- Written by: Peggy Robertson
The Lake County Planning Commission unanimously voted down the application by Dollar General to establish a store in Kelseyville.
The basis for this denial included the location (directly across the street from the high school), traffic concerns, disappointment in Dollar General’s track record with regards to the previously opened stores in this area, and the affect this store would have on the character of the town.
Dollar General has appealed this decision, and there will be a hearing before the Board of Supervisors on July 21.
Dollar General is a 9,000-square-foot sort of “mini Walmart.” It is a national chain of about 12,000 stores which has the resources to buy and sell its merchandise at prices far cheaper than any other business in the area. It will likely drive our locally owned “mom and pop” stores out of business.
As far as providing jobs, Dollar General keeps its overhead low by maintaining minimal staffing. One manager is full-time, all other employees (usually no more than four) are part-time, minimum-wage workers, receiving no benefits.
According to an article in the www.247wallst.com , they are rated fourth on the list of worst companies in the U.S. to work for.
All profits from this business go to the state of Tennessee, where Dollar General is headquartered, and will not be spent in this community.
Studies performed on this subject (there are multiple, Civic Economics summarized 10 of them on www.amiba.net/resources/multiplier-effect ) show that on average 48 percent of each purchase from a local independent business was recirculated locally, compared to less than 14 percent of purchases from chain stores.
Since Dollar General has stated its plan of opening about 600 new stores this year alone (some estimates state that between Dollar General and Dollar Tree they are opening a new store every six hours), that is a lot of money leaving this state, this county, and possibly depriving independent retailers of their livelihood.
The Kelseyville Business Association has worked very hard to establish an identity for this town. “A Friendly Country Town” has been its motto for many years. Visitors are greeted by appealing storefronts, red rocking chairs and the lovely Quilt Trail was started here.
The harm that would come to this little community is sad to consider. Closed stores are already a problem, and the prospect that a sort of “urban decay” would replace the downtown area is, unfortunately, not hard to imagine.
Lake County has received a grant in conjunction with the the Way to Wellville Challenge. Part of this partnership to improve community health involves increasing the number of retail establishments promoting healthy food options.
To this end Dollar General will not add much. Their stock includes frozen and prepackaged items, convenience items, but nothing in the way of fresh produce or meats.
A report prepared by the Campaign for Healthier Solutions (February 2015) found that the vast majority of Dollar General Store products tested contained toxic chemicals linked to learning disabilities, cancer, diabetes and other illnesses – hardly a business that advances community health and environmental protection.
In the general plan for Lake County a number of goals are listed. Included is a desire for “smart growth,” which is defined as providing for a unique sense of community and place, promoting healthy communities, encouraging infill, discouraging sprawl, preserving unique historical, cultural and natural resources among other things.
Dollar General is the antithesis of these goals, at least in the area where it is being proposed to be built.
The San Francisco Chronicle of April 12 showcased Lake County. The beautiful pictures and well-written articles praised each area of this beautiful place. The unique character of each area was described over and over again, making me want to revisit some places I have just taken for granted for some time.
Let’s don’t take this special place for granted – we must work hard to maintain that unique character, and not find ourselves turning into just another bump on the road with a yellow and black store being its main attraction.
Peggy Robertson lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
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- Written by: Todd Metcalf
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is recognized annually on or around June 15.
This year, the first-ever World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Global Summit will take place on June 15 in Washington, D.C., where elder abuse prevention leaders will gather to discuss strategies around preventing elder abuse.
Since its inception in 2006, the purpose of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the social, cultural, demographic and economic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
In addition, WEAAD is in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action acknowledging the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of older persons are abused, neglected, and exploited. In addition, elders throughout the United States lose an estimated $2.6 billion or more annually due to elder financial abuse and exploitation, funds that could have been used to pay for basic needs such as food, housing, and medical care.
Unfortunately, no one is immune to abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It occurs in every demographic, and can happen to anyone such as a family member, or neighbor. Yet it is estimated that only about one in five of those crimes are ever discovered.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is an excellent opportunity to share information about abuse, neglect, and exploitation in later life.
However, raising awareness of mistreatment of older persons is an ongoing effort, not limited to one day.
Whether the effort is great or small, once a year or throughout, all of these efforts empower us to make long-lasting differences in the lives of vulnerable elders.
Lake County Adult Protective Services (APS) treats every day as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
APS links with the existing adult programs within the county provided by other public, private, and community-based organizations to assist those in need.
APS Social Workers investigate allegations of abuse, exploitation and abandonment, and also help provide information and referrals for housing, food, clothing and case management.
As in past years, the Administration for Community Living encourages individuals and organizations to take a stand and to raise public awareness about elder abuse.
Please visit their Web site at www.acl.gov to find information, tools and resources to support efforts to shed light on the importance of preventing, identifying and responding to this serious, often hidden public health problem.
Remember, it only takes one individual, one action, to make a difference.
Todd Metcalf is the Adult Services Program Manager at Lake County Department of Social Services.
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