Since 9/11 we've of course had some unconvincing platitudes from our local Muslims about how they dislike terrorism, but for the most part they've been whining about their civil rights and the Patriot Act (nevermind that there have been no actual cases of verified civil rights abuse).
There have been zero demonstrations by Muslims against Islamist terrorism, although they found time to participate in a Moveon.org demo in DC a couple years ago, again whining about the Patriot Act.
There has been one - count 'em, one - Muslim organization formed to counter the Islamists, and that was only a few months ago. The jury is still out as to whether that organization will be of any effect at all.
The silence among American Muslims has been deafening (except for whining). So in comparing this to the "moderate Muslim" response in the Netherlands this week, you have to conlude that the conspiracy of silence is more insidious here than in Holland. How does that happen, I wonder.
You jogged my memory, angkor! They also poured out onto the streets in vast numbers when Israel invaded Jenin in 2002.
I remember thinking, "THIS is what finally gets them protesting? What about 9/11?"
The whole thing made me sick. No protests that "Suicide bombing is unIslamic!", but plenty of outrage a week later that Israel was retaliating.
My take on the Muslim silence is that they are smart enough to know that we would smell their insincerity a mile away. Why break a sweat organizing phony demonstrations of unity when they don't believe it and we know they don't believe it and they know that we know that they don't believe it.
The Europeans on the other hand lap that s***t up. It amuses the Muslims to see the Euros deluding themselves into believing that a round Kumbia will fix everything, nice and tidy. They laugh about the Euros at the dinner table.
The reason why Dutch muslims are now speaking out is their mosques are burning. Im sure muzzies here in US will also speak out when mosques are burning.