Think about it.
Fear:
Mexicans protest in the American Southwest, politicians give them amnesty, with the help of businesses.
Riots in France, and the politicians cower and mollycoddle those perpetrating the riots.
People loudly protesting trailers for a movie depicting the fateful events of United flight 93, not willing to face a replay of the horror on that day--and politicians and the media helping those people to stick their heads in the sand.
Freeing a country from the grip of the Taliban, only to see it turn around and almost execute a man for converting to Christianity--and then making 'strong words' about said action, without a clear notice to back up those words.
Not calling Muslim perpetrators of horrors against non-Muslims by their real name ( i.e. Muslim ).
As to self-interest?
Turning Washington DC into an armed camp, to protect the skins of the political class, while two political parties decide to fight over scraps of power.
Businesses pushing to keep the borders wide open for cheap labor.
Not taking a hard line against regimes who suppress their people because of a need for cheap oil.
Portraying Islamic killers and invaders over the Southern border in a favorable light, while simultaneously portraying those who take affront as 'backwards', 'racist', 'unenlightened', all because those who have taken affront are Patriotic or do not agree with slave labor.
Using Islam as a way to leverage a way into power in politics ( Sometimes called 'riding the tiger' ).
Do you think, for one moment, those who see the debacle American politicians are performing, all for the sake of gaining a political office, do not interpret said kabuki show as a sign that the US is not serious?
Or that Europe is not cowering in fear ( well, maybe not cowering, but that is the perception )?
That story by the author is very, very powerful--and shines a big bright spotlight on the sad nature of what is going on.