The right call: President's call for more power in Middle East is right decision

There have been more than a few talking heads on television lately -- some of them former members of the intelligence community -- who are saying that the U.S. response to ISIS must be tougher.

These experts who have been there do not even entertain the claims from the doves, who say that the problems with ISIS are confined to the Middle East and do not represent a real danger to American sovereignty.

And, at long last, it seems that President Barack Obama has been listening.

The president sent a request to Congress today asking for expanded war powers. The idea? To join full bore into the efforts launched in part by Jordan to send ISIS packing.

And he is right. And Congress should support him in his efforts.

It is past time to deal a death blow to ISIS and all those who support it.

Rather than being solely a Middle Eastern problem, destabilization caused by this radical Islamist terror group could have far-reaching consequences, especially when hatred of the western world is tops on the group's list.

Who knows what expanded war powers will mean. That is a debate that will come next.

But if it involves actually doubling down and joining forces with other nations to at long last get the job done, then this is the right time and the right decision.

In all fairness, even though the president has been wishy washy in his handling of ISIS, this nation is not exactly sitting back and watching.

There have been plenty of military missions in the region -- including expanded airstrikes.

But now is the perfect time to amp up the fight -- and to show our allies and enemies just how serious we are.

Our future security depends on it.

Published in Editorials on February 11, 2015 10:47 AM