Artillery's post isn't necessarily so brilliant. Look at it from the opposite point of view. Consider that less than 1% of our population consists of policemen. But that less than 1% can be quite effective if it has the tacit support of 95% of the remaining 99% of the population. Anecdotal reports of friendships with muslims is valueless in assessing the problem.
"Artillery's post isn't necessarily so brilliant. Look at it from the opposite point of view. Consider that less than 1% of our population consists of policemen. But that less than 1% can be quite effective if it has the tacit support of 95% of the remaining 99% of the population. Anecdotal reports of friendships with muslims is valueless in assessing the problem."
That's a good point and I have some sympathy with it. There's no way that extremists could operate unless moderates turn a blind eye. There clearly are degrees here. That's why I think that Muslim communities need to be pressed to isolate extremism.
But still - the problem is more-or-less widespread political sympathy for the goals of extremists. It's still not true to say that Muslims are all terrorists, or that Islam is the problem.