Yes you are correct they need to do much better. They either don't have the spin machines like CAIR, ISNA, MSA and others do or they are plainly afraid. Just like the editor at Pakistan.Com. These groups almost ran him out of business. They do not have to prove they are Americans. They do have to stand up against the extremists a lot better.
In an ideal world, no, they wouldn't have to prove they are Americans not the enemy. In the real world, I am sorry, but they do. Just as the Japanese and Germans who lived here during WWII had to prove that they were Americans and not the enemy.
We need deeds not just talk.
It took deeds to turn us against the Muslim world. As a general rule we didn't really believe that they hated us and wanted to kill us.
We believe it now.
If you want us to believe otherwise about some of you then you are going to have to give us deeds as well. It's not fair but the faith, trust and goodwill you had with the non-Muslims in America was seriously overdrawn on 9/11. You will have to build it back again.
a.cricket