Too bad extremists in his religion are now giving him a bad name, when nobody didn't care all these years.
Herin lies the important distinction, I think. American Muslims, with notable exceptions like Jose Padilla, and spoiled, over-indulged brat Taliban Johnny Walker, for the most part are peaceable citizens and neighbors. This is because either they have lived their entire lives under the American system of the Rule of Law, and have known nothing other than our ways, or if they immigrated here, they've had to learn to accept it. Even if they haven't accepted it, the threat of reprisal if they break the law keeps them in line.
Important caveat here: I do not count Muslim exchange students among "American Muslims". On 9-11, we had a group of Pali students at USF celebrating outside the student union building, and a group of Tampa Boys showed up to do a little butt stomping. Fortunately for the Palis, the cops showed up and told 'em to shut up and disperse, for their own good. Obviously, they and the foreign Muslim community that surrounds USF (Sami Al-Arian's neighborhood), are not people who have American values, and believe in the Rule of Law.
I believe American Muslims are the exception to the global extremist rule. I have nothing more to fear from the Arab guys who own my neighborhood Subway shop than I do any American walking the street. I'd be willing to bet, though, that if I stepped foot outside the US, the situation would change big time. Once again, it's America, our Constitution, our morals, values, and beliefs, that makes all the difference.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
Update:
A Houston mosque founded by former NBA star Hakeem Olajuwon was criticized earlier this year [2005] for contributing to Islamic American Relief [IARA] and a second charity allegedly linked to terrorism.--------------- "Mosque's donation to charity prompts closing of account," CBS 2 Chicago ^ | March 11, 2005 | AP Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 9:18:29 PM by Land_of_Lincoln_John