I think it's a real fear. I don't think it would take much to start an anti-Muslim backlash. Hell, if the local Muslims did half of what the Palestinians have been doing in Israel, there would be anti-Muslim civil war.
I think the danger is particularly acute in places like Oklahoma. PhiKapMom, correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the impression the Oklahoma is not particularly "sissified", if you know what I mean?
We rotate with Texas on who puts the most murderers to death in capital punishment cases. Sissified and OK do not fit in the same sentence. :) This is oil, gas, and ranch country -- all of which are not occupations of sissified people. Lot of rodeo's, stock shows, hunting around here. If you want to get elected, you had better support the 2nd amendment!
You are absolutely correct about Oklahomans!