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Are our schools the next target of terrorist groups?
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Editor, Ceres Courier,

Americans may not know the name Abu Bakr al Baghadadi like they know Osama Bin Laden; but if he holds true to his threat, Abu Bakr al Baghadadi will become a household name.

Abu Bakr al Baghadadi is the terrorist leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shams (ISIS) and he, along with thousands of other terrorists, were released from custody in 2009 by President Obama.

American forces had captured Baghadadi and held him in a detention facility in Camp Bucca in Iraq until Obama closed the prison, releasing Baghadadi and the other terrorists. As Baghadadi left the prison, his ominous parting words were, "I'll see you guys in New York."

While Baghadadi has not made his mark on "New York" or America yet, he has brutally killed hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children throughout their region in Syria and Iraq. While there are conflicting unconfirmed reports Baghadadi was killed in an air strike in October 2014, his terrorist network remains strong. It has no borders and is targeting American schools as "soft spots" for their next attack.

Republicans and Democrats alike have announced the threat of ISIS as "serious" and that "they will come after us whenever and wherever they can." However, the Obama administration has been less than proactive in protecting America at home. Recently, five terrorist leaders were exchanged for an American deserter, who sympathized with the enemy. Obama goes to play golf as American journalists are beheaded. Obama has called terrorist attacks, such as Major Hassan's murder of soldiers at Fort Hood and the Oklahoma man, who cut off the head of a lady in his jihad as "workplace violence" instead of an act of terror. When our embassy was attacked in Benghazi, he originally claimed it was a response from a You Tube video as he went to a fundraiser.

Through an open border policy, ISIS terrorists are already here. It is known; ISIS terrorists have used the southern border, aligning themselves with the MS13 gang to come into America through an unprotected border. While the media ignores the story, ISIS has laid their fingerprints within America. A jihad watch group confirms that the Islamic State flag has been held in front of the White House and other American landmarks. During the protests in Ferguson, Mo, an "ISIS Here" sign appeared on CNN during a walking interview of protestors.

ISIS is an evil army intending to strike America. The threats are real and yet are ignored. According to reports, the terrorists will hit America where they are most vulnerable - their "soft spots" of the most defenseless - our schools. Terrorists have used the schools in Russia and Pakistan to massacre defenseless children.

American needs to become proactive in preventing the next terrorist attack against these thugs. If not, our children and other defenseless Americans will become their next target. It has been suggested that all schools should have armed security within the schools and that administrators should be required to have a firearm. Under the current policy, a "visitor" sticker is not going to stop terrorists nor will a tablet shield a child. America should not wait until it is too late before taking these threats seriously.

Frank Aquila

LETTERS POLICY: Letters to the editor will be considered for publication but must be signed and include an address and phone number. Letters should contain 250 words or less and be void of libelous statements. Letters may be sent to The Ceres Courier, 138 S. Center Street, Turlock CA 95380 or emailed to jeffb@cerescourier.com.comX