FYI, some European countries have been fighting terrorists a lot longer than you think, and yes, that does include the French.
The US has its own fair share of al-qaeda planners and sympathisers, they are not exclusive to Europe.
I am not an al-qaeda or Europe apologist, actually I quite hate both intensely.
And your 'Bacon out of the fire' comment is very vague. Whose bacon did you pull outta the fire?
Bacon out of the fire refers to the fact the U.S. has fought 3 wars in the 20th century to protect europe. WWI and WWII as well as the cold war. Not to say it was not in the US interest to do it, but if countries in Europe would defend themselves (i.e. build a modern army when hitler was modernizing) and so forth the US would not be in that position. I agree that Europe has been plagued with terror problems, but the reality is that instead of fighting terrorism the appease it. They negotiate instead of destroy. I think it is something cultural, they did it with Hitler. The problem is that no matter how hard you try, you can not appease evil. Evil must be destroyed, period.