How do we end terrorism without being impolite to Muslims?

Disgust at the news in general...... | 9/28/01 | HairOfTheDog

[HairOfTheDog]

How do we end terrorism without being impolite to Muslims?

Subtitle: Why are we so messed up that BLIND political correctness is our priority right now?

I am sorry that Muslims are being shouted at from pickup trucks... because shouting from pickup trucks is unseemly and ineffective. But constantly tripping over ourselves apologizing to Muslims who are just "normal Americans" is going to ensure that we lose.

These terrorists make an art of coming to this country, making friends and seeming very normal for many years, taking full advantage of our political correctness, our free right of travel, our education in universities, our flight training, and while they are here they study our weaknesses, not the least of which is our desire to be completely trusting and accepting of them.

The hijackers who did this did not wear "Terrorist in Training" T-shirts. They looked very much like those who claim to be unfairly treated now, and also look like those that I have seen walking through Seattle trying not to make eye contact with anyone... I am very vigilant at watching them now.... I wonder what they think, whether they know one of them, whether they are one of them. I know they feel me watching them, and I hope they are getting mad... Not mad at me, but mad at those among them that are causing my fear.

I guarantee that my mistrust of Middle-Eastern Muslims will grow and not diminish, until there are long lines of Muslims waiting at police precincts to report suspicious behavior among them, and until the interviews shown on television are NOT people of European decent full of guilt at their own mistrusting thoughts telling us how to behave and what to think.

My mistrust will diminish when those Middle-Eastern Muslims here in America are the most vocal about rooting out this problem. The problem is that those that are speaking up so far are those that feel victimized unfairly, or offer vague references that Islam is a religion of peace, and not terror. Clearly there are lots of Muslims who have read something else. Where are those that have overheard discussions, but did not participate? Where are those that have been approached to participate or give money, but chose not to? Where are those that were trusted enough to confide in, but did not decide to join? Or those that joined ethnic or Muslim groups they believed to improve people's lives, only to find out that the real mission was something very different? Where are those that are vocal about exposing those among them that are the problem? Until they speak up, I will continue to mistrust all of them without feeling an ounce of guilt, because I refuse to feel guiltier than they do about these attacks on our country.

Remember grade school, when the teacher needed to know which student in the class had stolen Suzie's crayons? And all students were forced to stay after class until the guilty party confessed, or his friends ratted him out? Everyone in the class faced equal suspicion until the common desire to go to recess was greater than the embarrassment of confession. The peer pressure to end the detention of everyone turned toward finding the evil-doer within. Well, I for one will continue to blame the whole class rather than be made a fool of when they strike again while we do our best to be polite.

I have no doubt that America can take out all the terrorists and supporters that they find. But killing them from the outside will never really solve the problem. Weaken it maybe, make money harder to raise maybe, keep them running maybe, but we do not have a lock on craftiness and talent. Outsiders can never get them all, and will probably create more enemies as we try. Only "they" can solve this problem, and it is imperative that we compel them to do so, or assume they are guilty if they do not.

We should be very afraid that Muslims here and abroad that have been our friends when we could help them are only quietly and half-heartedly helping us now, trying not to be overly offensive to their own. We should be very afraid that Muslims in this country are silently trying to keep their heads down. I am very afraid that many Muslims in this country know more than they have admitted, and yet want the benefit of the doubt from me.

Let us not seem hysterical by shouting at them from pickup trucks, but let us never let political correctness allow us to be blindsided again...

[HairOfTheDog]

There are too many sources to choose just one.... These are just my thoughts on the collective political correctness movement on the Muslim front.

[Alas]

Why do we have to be polite to those who seem determined to kill us?

[anniegetyourgun]

Agreed. I must think that the terrorists are banking on our having been steeping in pc thought for the last several decades. I guess we'll soon find out if they were right to trust in that.

[mcollins]

If my neighbor were Muslim I would watch him like a hawk and make sure he is not a traitor. I would report the smallest suspicious act. AND I would not have a tinge of PC guilt about it.

What is it about "self-preservation" that some Americans do not understand.

Michael

[anniegetyourgun]

#3 steeping = steeped

[anniegetyourgun]

Most employ the tactics of discernment you mention - on a personal level. I just hate the ones who come along and try to suggest that those very same tactics that they use to remain safe are not acceptable for governments.

[Elkiejg]

As far as I'm concerned - illegal aliens, fraudulent citizens and TERROISTS (HEAR THAT CNN) DO NOT have rights!!True, legitimate, patriotic citizens of America have rights. PC whiners can go to HELL!

[HairOfTheDog]

Agreed.... Which is why I posted the article.... :)

[mountaineer]

Every Muslim is a potential terrorist.

If they truly believe the Koran's directives to kill "infidels," it sure looks like you're right.

[Publius6961]

How do we end terrorism without being impolite to Muslims?

Reminds me of an old joke:

How do you kill a blue elephant?
With a Blue Elephant gun.

How do you kill a pink elephant? Choke him until he turns blue, then use the Blue Elephant gun.

Think about it.

bomb a few of their cities to rubble, and impoliteness will be the least of their concerns...

[rebdov]

The problem is, I think, is that many US Muslims may have been approached, or heard things,or saw things and are scared to death to open their mouths. Remember back in the 50's, many people knew or heard about communist activities but were afraid to open their mouths. Fear is very powerful. You think it was easy to be against Hitler or Stalin? Think it's easy to buck the Bin Laden brigades? The Mob? Do you think the MOB could function without a lot of people shutting their mouths out of fear? Fear is a great weapon. It is very difficult to get courage and risk one's life.

[vikingerik]

we don't have to be polite. Our survivalship is paramount to any politeness to anyone at any time that doesn't give gives a rats a* * s about our Country. It is politically correct to eliminate our enemies both foreign and domestic by deportation or bombs. Lets Roll.

[neutrino]

Perhaps we could nuke them, then send a strongly worded apology to the survivors?

[BearCub]

My right to life is more important than someone else's right to 'not be offended' - if 'being offended' is all we're talking about.

-bc

[borkrules]

Perhaps a note of optimism for you: I heard John Ashcroft say that the FBI had been overwhelmed with offers from Arabic Muslims to act as interpreters and as operatives/informants. They are turning them away from the door now, because they have enough.

But, healthy alertness and vigilance, even where it crosses PC lines is not only an American right, it's all of our DUTY.

[tracer]

My answer to the title question: We should raise our pinkies as we empty .308 magazines into the flea-bitten carcasses of terrorists who have blasphemed against Islam and their God......

[Viktra]

re: Perhaps we could nuke them, then send a strongly worded apology to the survivors? Indeed. But that would have been the old USA. flatten them and then send them millions of dollars to rebuild and feel guilty for the damage done by our military. I say enough is enough! I'm sick and tired of worrying what the rest of the world thinks of Americans. Like my mommy used to tell me about those school yards punks...they're only saying that cuz they're jealous. The rest of the world is indeed jealous of our freedom, luxury and wealth which explains the pointing of fingers at our great nation when we hesitate to bail out the latest war torn country. However, where is the rest of the world when we need them? Would we keep a "friend" if we knew they would not be there for us in time of need? It's time we stood up as a nation, closed our borders to all those aliens who run for shelter under our flag and then enjoy the freedom allowed by the constitution, which is criticize the very people who saved their sorry asses!

[Gracey]

My mistrust will diminish when those Middle-Eastern Muslims here in America are the most vocal about rooting out this problem. The problem is that those that are speaking up so far are those that feel victimized unfairly, or offer vague references that Islam is a religion of peace, and not terror.

My thoughts exactly. John Zogby head of the AAI (Arab American Institue)USA and big supporter of Al Gore, had an article on his web site telling Arab Americans that they did not have to speak to the FBI. I was just appalled. I wrote a letter telling my thoughts. Now I can't find it on his site. I just wrote a second letter to him after reading your thoughts here. Thanks. (BTW, I'm Middle-Eastern)

Please write to John Zogby here and let him know how we feel Maybe we can get this on Front Page.Here's his e-mail. jzogby@aaiusa.org.

Here's a link to his "feel sorry for us" page.

http://www.aaiusa.org/Tragedy/actionalert91401.html

[goldstategop]

In war time politeness and being nice towards the enemy ought to be the LEAST of our concerns. If we're going to preserve life & limb its inevitable we're going to be hurting people's feelings. I'm quite aware in fact that civilian collateral casualties will result, whether they're political or real. When all is said and done a war on Islamist Nazism will inevitably result in what I just mentioned and there's no getting around it. And if there are moderate Muslims out there they're just as terrified of the radicals as every one else. Bottom line is yeah we'll be offending them by going and wiping out the Islamist Nazis but they'll thank us for it when its all over. Now is NOT the time for displays of touchy-feely or Political Correctness. Now is the time to display steely resolve til victory is won over the enemy.