Mark Steyn: Whatever You Do, Don't Call It a Hate Crime (Regarding the 7/4 LAX Gunman)

I'm a dead white male, as you can tell from the above picture. Suppose on Martin Luther King Day I went to the offices of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and shot the receptionists. How many nano-seconds do you think it would take before the attack was being characterized as racially motivated? Your top Olympic hotshot could ingest every steroid on the planet and he couldn't beat that time.

Suppose it was Judy Garland's birthday and I went to my local gay bathhouse and opened fire on the fetching young men handing out the towels. How many minutes would tick by before the word "homophobia" was heard? Or suppose it was the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and me and my semi-automatic swung by the abortion clinic?

Well, you get the idea. On the Fourth of July (hint) a guy went to the airport in Los Angeles, sauntered up to the ticket counter of El Al (hint) and fatally shot two people and wounded three. How many folks hearing the news on a quickie radio update honestly expected it to be anyone other than a Muslim male of Middle Eastern origin? Obviously, Underperformin' Norman Mineta, the scrupulously sensitivity-trained U.S. Transportation Secretary, would have been wary of jumping to conclusions. Were he running the LAPD, he'd have pulled in a couple of elderly nuns and Kelli-Sue, a trainee hairdresser from Des Moines.

But, fortunately for the final death toll, El Al has its own security and so the suspect, after firing 10 rounds, was himself killed. And whaddaya know? He wasn't an elderly nun but a 41-year-old Egyptian male! His name wasn't Kellie-Sue, it was Hesham Mohamed Hadayet!

This stunning development seems to have completely disoriented the FBI. I quote from The New York Times headline: "Officials Puzzled About Motive Of Airport Gunman." Hmm. Egyptian Muslim kills Jews on American national holiday. Best not to jump to conclusions. Denial really is a river in Egypt. "It appears he went there with the intention of killing people," said Richard Garcia, the Bureau's agent in charge. "Why he did that we are still trying to determine."

CNN and The Associated Press all but stampeded to report a "witness" who described the shooter as a fat white guy in a ponytail who kept yelling "Artie took my job." But, alas, this promising account proved to be a prank. Saudi Arabia's popular Arab News suggested that Mr. Hadayet had made the mistake of doing business with El Al and that "the Israeli airline had been late in paying for two limousine rentals from the Egyptian immigrant's company." If a couple of late cheques were a motive for murder, Izzy's and Conrad's heads would now be stuffed and mounted in my trophy room. But, sadly, this cautionary tale about the Jew bloodsucker's commercial wiles proved also to be false.

That left the police with no leads. Nothing to go on. The trail's stone cold. All the FBI has is an Egyptian male, who'd complained to his apartment managers after his neighbours post-9/11 began displaying the American flag; who'd posted a banner saying "READ KORAN" on his own front door; who told his employees that he hated Israel, that the two biggest drug dealers in New York were Israelis, and that Israel was trying to wipe out the Egyptian population by flooding the country with AIDS-infected Jewess prostitutes.

Could even the most expert psychological profiler make sense of such confusing and contradictory signs? Beats me, Sherlock. But, as Agent Garcia says, there's no indication of "anti-Israel views or any other type of racial views." Orange County's Muslim Public Affairs Council has praised Agent Garcia for his exceptionally advanced levels of sensitivity. Any moment now, they'll be demanding to know why Governor Gray Davis has failed to visit a mosque to reassure Muslims.

The case of Hesham Mohamed Hadayet, my dear Watson, is one of those detective stories whose solution is obvious to any newspaper reader but which baffles the authorities by its mysterious complexity. Let us simply list the clues:

1. He attacked the El Al airline at Los Angeles airport and killed two Jews. There are at least 20 airlines using LAX. So if this was a random attack — an enraged response, say, to bad airline food over the years — the odds were at least 20-to-1 against his targeting El Al. If, however, he consciously selected El Al for attack — which seems much more likely — then it is reasonable to conclude that he did so because El Al is the Israeli national airline and its officials and passengers were likely to be Israelis and/or Jews.

2. He was heavily armed but had no airline ticket or passenger pick-up that day. In other words, he went to LAX to murder people and not for some legitimate purpose.

3. He was an educated middle-class Egyptian citizen with family connections to people in the national establishment. If the FBI were still allowed to profile, it would have noticed that he fit the profile of the Sept. 11 hijackers with almost embarrassing exactitude.

4. His car bore the bumper-sticker "Read the Koran." Nothing wrong with that, of course. In the absence of other evidence it would suggest merely that he was a pious Muslim. But since ordinarily pious Muslims do not think it right to murder complete strangers, we may legitimately infer that he was one of that extreme "Islamist" faction known as al-Qaida that believes it entirely permissible, even mandatory, to kill Israelis, Jews and their friends and supporters, such as Americans.

5. His neighbors and employees testify that he frequently denounced Israel, U.S. support for Israel, and — despite his own relative rise to prosperity as a limousine business owner — American discrimination against Arabs and Muslims.

6. And the final conclusive piece of evidence that he was a terrorist: He had once been slated for deportation by the Immigration and Naturalization Service but the INS changed its mind and allowed him to stay in the United States.

What these clues establish, of course, is merely that Hadayet was a terrorist who set out to murder innocent bystanders for political motives. There is less evidence as yet that he was acting on the actual instructions of al-Qaida, or Egyptian Jihad, or any other organized terrorist group.

Some Middle Eastern sources, both Arab and Israeli, claiming counterintelligence sources, suggest that he was a "sleeper" for Egyptian Jihad and that he had twice met Osama bin Laden's deputy in California in 1995 and 1998. According to this theory, he set off to LAX on July 4 because his terrorist godfathers wanted a terrorist outrage on America's national day.

That is perfectly plausible. It is also possible, however, that he was a terrorist sympathizer who quietly seethed with hatred for Israel and the United States and sympathy for bin Laden until he decided one day to strike a blow on his own. After all, it required no great ingenuity to guess that an attack July 4 would be especially unsettling to Americans.

We shall discover which version is correct in due course. In either event, Hadayet was a terrorist.

On the 4th of July, an Egyptian immigrant to the United States who believes in wild conspiracy theories about Jews, is known for his great "hate for Israel," and has possible ties to al Qaeda, armed himself to the teeth and assaulted the Israeli airline counter at Los Angeles International Airport, killing two.

It is obvious why Hesham Mohamed Ali Hadayet targeted Jews in a highly visible place on so prominent a date: to engage in terrorism against Israel.

But one important institution — the U.S. government — claims not to know Hadayet's goals. An FBI spokesman has said that "there's nothing to indicate terrorism." Another FBI official said of Hadayet: "It appears he went there with the intention of killing people. Why he did that we are still trying to determine." Possible causes named include a work dispute and a hate crime.

Sure, law enforcement should not jump to conclusions, but this head-in-the-clouds approach is ridiculous. It also fits a well-established pattern. Consider three cases of terrorism in the New York City area:

Rashid Baz, a Lebanese cab driver with a known hatred for all things Israeli and Jewish, armed himself to the teeth in March 1994 and drove around the city looking for a Jewish target. He found his victims — a van full of Hasidic boys — on the Brooklyn Bridge and fired a hail of bullets against them, killing one boy.

And how did the FBI classify this crime? As "road rage." Only because the murdered boy's mother relentlessly fought this false description did the Bureau finally in 2000 re-classify the murder as "the crimes of a terrorist."

Ali Hasan Abu Kamal, a Palestinian gunman hailing from militant Islamic circles in Florida, took a gun to the top of the Empire State building in February 1997 and shot a tourist there.

His suicide note accused the United States of using Israel as its "instrument" against the Palestinians, but city officials ignored this evidence and instead dismissed Abu Kamal as either "one deranged individual working on his own" (Police Commissioner Howard Safir) or a "man who had many, many enemies in his mind" (Mayor Rudolph Giuliani).

Gamil al-Batouti, an EgyptAir copilot, yelled "I put my faith in God's hands" as he crashed a plane leaving Kennedy airport in October 1999, killing 217. Under Egyptian pressure, the National Transportation Safety Board report shied away from once mentioning Batouti's possible terrorist motives.

And despite all the "world-has-changed" rhetoric following the horrors of last September, Western officialdom continues to pretend terrorism away.

That's the great lie of the "Islam is Peace" propaganda.

Yeah, you have peace if you bow to Islam!!! Peace ain't freedom, and peace might be interrupted by your Islamic court execution at any random time. But, if you are a native Muslim ... Muhammed says Allah does not NECESSARILY sentence you to death.

If you choose to stay connected to Jesus Christ or the Torah? Call the ACLU, there goes your head infidel!

That is what is so corrupt about guys like Zogby. I don't CARE what the Qur'an says about female freedom or racial enlightenment. That was the bait and switch by a pretty clever huckster/conquerer named Muhammed. You have to draw bees to the honey, but you need to keep them hurtling from the hive in stinging, killing frenzy too. So ... Islam is sweet for Muslims and women's freedom, so says Muhammed. But ... Islam is darkly vengeful against nonbelievers who insult Allah's will. Y'know, after all these years ... the women don't have rights and Muslim's are really vengeful. And women just seem to keep insulting Allah's will ... that ever acne scarred Arab teenager has carte blanche to sexually assault a woman, whereafter she is shamefully stained, and must be executed.

I don't like Islam. I don't like Muhammed. I don't like anyone who says ... "You must think as me or I will kill you". Allah says that through the prophet/soldier/rapist/mass murderer Muhammed. Fuck you Muhammed, and same to you Allah. And it is time for all these guys like A_turk who are lecturing us on our ignorance to step up and grab the big dildo. Are you Americans ... or are you Muslims?

Islam is in DIRECT contravertion to our American Constitution. Islam commands it's followers to view our difference, our disbelief in Allah and Muhammed's orders, and therefore kill us. Kill non-Muslims. Islam is an enemy of the tenets of America. Would we permit a KKK order that commanded the death of all who did not worship a particular angel or passage from the Old Testament. F**k no, that Garcia druid would be storming thier townhouse with guns drawn and CNN at their side. It is no coincidence that the systematic portrayal of Islam as a peaceful force accompanied the spread of Communist operatives into academia and media after 1945. They are hand in hand my friend.

That's the issue Savage Beast. Muslims live very contently and peacefully among us until they murder our innocent neighbors. At your feet, or at your throat ... that about sizes it up IMO.

This is a system designed by elitists who did not like or trust ANYONE, and desired protection from the ill intent of their colleagues at the Convention. That's primal ... and the way they solved it was an epipheny. Ying ... meet Yang. He's got some false ID and a welfare check for you! ;^)

I can confidently say that NOBODY on FR could walk up to Alexander Hamilton if he was transported into an East Village bistro tonight, say "Hi", and judging his fellowship and warmth not think "I'd like to cold-cock that asshole". Kinda like meeting Mojo or Clodia Pulcher. These were not humble and friendly people. If Freepers were on the Philly secret conspiracy scene at that time ... we'd break up the vile scheme. Guaranteed! Wisely as usual! LOL If so, my descendents would be moderately successful racoon skin brokers right now. It's 2002, someone invent the outhouse already!!!!

This was not a boys club of regular Joe overachievers. They wouldn't have the time of day for we riff raffers. Asshole lawyers, most learned their stuff in France. Double Trouble! Wohhhhh ....

God blessed them all! As HE did us!

Are you Americans ... or are you Muslims?

Are you family ... or are you automobiles?

Are you walking ... or are you alive?

Are you ignorant ... or are you just stupid?

What good is all this? You (I hope) and I are peaceloving people, whatever our religion. What benefit will it bring to anyone to try to demean each other? Is that not what Usame would like us to do? Must we allow this idiot Usame to curse us with mutual hatred?

Bums me out everytime I read this nonsence.

And here's my opinion on terrorism vs hate crimes: They're one in the same.

Adios.

I'm Irish Catholic in ethinc and religious backgroun.d But I identify myself as an American.

If the IRA was in the act of blowing up my neigbors and countrymates, I'd kill them without a pause. Even though I'm Irish, I'm Catholic, and my ancestors were brutalized and killed by the Cromwell English mobsters.

So what? I'm an American. I would step up and fight until death ANY Irish Catholc who wished my country harm. Now. Unequivocally. I would stand at the side of any American Protestant Brit native who is under seige. I'm an American. It's not a hesitation for me.

What's your story?

My wisdom and ongoing care. I'm sick of lectures from "peaceful" and "enlightened" Muslims.

If Turkey is a targeted enemy of Al Qai'da and other Islamist groups ... why isn't your nation conducting it's own search and destroy operation against your enemies?

Turkey processed a lot of morphine base coming from your dire enemy Taliban from 1995-1999. TALIBAN???? Well, the base went for a good cause. Heroin products, I do believe. Right through Iran, and now through Georgia.

When you Turks go out on your own search and destroy mission against these forces that wish you death and destruction, I'll start believing your patter. All I see is commercial lovey dovey in the 90s with Iran and the Taliban monsters. Take your lectures elsewhere pal.

I am a Turkish and German Muslim. I hold both passports. I entered the US on a student visa when I was 17. This was my parents decision (German mom musical gymnastics professor, Turkish dad engineer), to spare me the terror in Turkey. Universities were especially affected.

Anyway, I was going to school, until a few years later I fell in love. We got married. She is a Catholic. She wanted to get married in a church, which did not bother me. We have two children together.

I never applied for citizenship, I felt that would be solid proof that I did not marry for that purpose. Now she's left me for another man, and I am Mr. mom. She's on the back seat of some guys Harley, living it up.

I could just take my kids and leave, but that would not be fair to them. They need to see her has often as possible.

As far as my loyalties, they lie with the righteous. And with my children... America stands for the same ideals that I do, and she's been kind to me. Had I been in one of those planes, the terrorists would have had to cut me up. Had I been standing next to the guy at LAX (fitting acronym), I would have done what I could to neutralize him. What more can I tell you?

When I was a kid growing up, terror was a tool used by the nationalists (USA money) and the communists (USSR money). The cold war was being fought even in my street. My parents still have pieces of shrapnel. No little bitty pieces, either: parts of inch thick bomb casing and stuff.. That was over 20 years ago. I've seen my share of this, which is so new to you. You're right to be angry, but focus it. Don't swing around blindly.

Turk, here's the cutting edge

The first tenet of your religion is "There is only one God, and Muhammed is his prophet."

NO SALE. I don't buy it Turk. A central dogma of Islam is that the worship of Jesus Christ as the Son of God is the most evil and sacriligious of all insults to Allah. Turk ... I believe Jesus Christ IS the Son of God, and he came to Earth and died for my human sin.

So, by ISLAM tenets ... what is my fate? What is your calling Turk? What is your command? What does YOUR current teacher, interpreting the Arabic Qur'an his convenient way .... say today? What will a different Mullah say next year? If your new spiritual leader interprets the Qur'an's commands to conquer, convert or kill the "unbelievers" as the holy law it most OBVIOUSLY IS... what WILL YOU DO?

Islam is a poison because it is malleable by every scoundrel and butcher who desires power and murder. Muhammed designed it to inspire forceful conquest. He had many "revelations" from Gabriel the night after his military forces were maximized. Islam is a tool of death, oppression, enslavement and murder. Like Nazism. Like Communism.

That's my take con man.

There is only one God, and Muhammed is his prophet.

You've already a convert to Monotheism, so to you the words might have said "and Muhammed is one of His prophets."

So, by ISLAM tenets ... what is my fate?

The Messiah is an important figure in our religion, even more important than the prophet Muhammed. The nonbelievers you mention were the idol worshippers who persecuted Muhammed for preaching about Moses and Jesus, and the one God we both believe in.

You musn't be so insulting toward me, since I haven't done anything to you, and never would unless you were to force me to defend myself or another who did not deserve your hypothetical assault.

You and I have different faith. Your prophet is different that mine. Your God has differwnt characteristics and identity than mine. Bless us both. You are a man taking care of your wife and children. I respect and admire that beyond words.

There's an ugly truth here however: My faith in Jesus Christ as Savior allows tolerance of your religious beliefs. My nation, my Constitution, mandates tolerance of your religious beliefs. My belief in Christ calls me to feel nothing but good will for you and your family.

The fundamental dogma of YOUR religion ... calls you to convert, kill and destroy the unbelievers. Me. My family. My neighgbors. My Freeper pals. My countrymates. My World.

You may deceive yourself in your virtuous journey to build a peaceful and enlightened prospretity for you family. Damn right you should!! That's what honorable men do for their children. America values that. America values you. But your religion is an isidious enemy of everything America stands for. Your religion calls for you to kill me.

You say you will do what is "righteous" .... I would never trust you watching my back. I couldn't insult a man more. Sorry.

The fundamental dogma of YOUR religion ... calls you to convert, kill and destroy the unbelievers. Me. My family. My neighgbors. My Freeper pals. My countrymates. My World.

You're going to have to learn, some day, the difference between Islam and Wahhabi extremism.

Christianity has its extremist groups, and has had times when the extremists controlled.

When at Beziers, the Christian Army asked the Papal Legate, Arnald-Amalric, how to distinguish the heretical Cathars from their more numerous Catholic neighbors, his reply was "kill them all - God will recognize his own".

Islam is not our enemy - an extremist islamic philosophy is, and those who hold to it. Just as Germany was not our enemy, but Nazism and its followers, and Russia was not, but the Communist doctrine and the nomenklatura.

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