Many moons ago, Frank Sinatra rose to the top of the Hit Parade with a rendition of “SATURDAY NIGHT IS THE LONELIEST NIGHT OF THE WEEK.” The lyrics continued with, “That’s the night my sweetie and I used to.........”
Well, now, oh so many moons later, Friday night is the night Will and I speak. Will would be horrified to be described as a “sweetie,” and of course, I would never do that.
No, he is my friend, my confident, and of course, my Grandson. His weekly Friday night calls are, I believe, equally important to both of us. The range of topics are diversified, and he sets the agenda. Sometimes they present a challenge, and during the following week I research the answers. And thus it was, this week.
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Will has an overwhelming interest in the Middle East with all of its ramifications and concerns. He asked what the difference between ISIS and ISIL was. I didn’t have the answer, and so I did some research during the following days.
Still from Will’s point of view, the answer wasn’t quite clear. He is blessed with a clarity of vision that allows no gray areas. Occasionally, his precision permits me to illuminate a situation. And I think that is what happened this time. While President Obama is insistent on the use of the designation ISIL, most of the news media continue with the term ISIS.
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I wonder did any of the tyrants, oppressors or dictators in history ever have an alias or dual identity. I think just the ambiguity in the appellation we apply to a threat minimizes it. Doesn’t it indicate the indecision our country seems to be feeling about a response Or are we trying to minimize the severity of the threat or perhaps the reality of the horrors inflicted recently on two U.S. Citizens?
I would hope within the next few days the powers that be determine which title will be applied, once and for all, to the frightening army that threatens our world. By giving it different titles, we are disparaging a valid menace. Shakespeare’s famous line, ‘What’s in a name?” perhaps provides more ramifications to this situation than we are willing to admit.
