Hamas

So many people say, "I just can't understand why Palestinians would support those terrorists, Hamas."

This is one reason why...

Not saying it's right, but it's understandable.

"Arab Money"

Ha, has anyone heard of the controversy surrounding Busta Rhyme's song, "Arab Money"? I wasn't aware of it originally...but it's interesting, with his references to the al-Saud family and "gambling with Arafat" (??) and such...hm.

Here's an article about the reaction to the song:

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/hiphopmediatraining/58252/busta-rhymes-arab-money-resurfaces-after-controversy-calms/

And here's the video...Watch at your own risk, haha.


Arab Money Video

That whole "Change Thing" is starting to kick in!!

EXCERPT FROM OBAMA'S INTERVIEW ON AL ARABIYA (video is imbedded in previous post)

OBAMA: [The terrorist's] ideas are bankrupt. There’s no actions that they’ve taken that say a child in the Muslim world is getting a better education because of them, or has better health care because of them.

In my inauguration speech, I spoke about: You will be judged on what you’ve built, not what you’ve destroyed. And what they’ve been doing is destroying things. And over time, I think the Muslim world has recognized that that path is leading no place, except more death and destruction.

Now, my job is to communicate the fact that the United States has a stake in the well-being of the Muslim world that the language we use has to be a language of respect. I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries. [Indonesia]

I am really excited about this. The difference between Obama and Bush--or Obama and any of our recent presidents, really--could not be more pronounced!

Not only is he addressing the Muslim world directly, respectfully, and repeatedly, but he openly acknowledges his Muslim relations and his history in Indonesia in an age where "Arab" and "Islam" translates into "dirty terrorist" in most minds.

OBAMA: And my job is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives. My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy. We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect. But if you look at the track record, as you say, America was not born as a colonial power, and that the same respect and partnership that America had with the Muslim world as recently as 20 or 30 years ago, there's no reason why we can't restore that. And that I think is going to be an important task.

But ultimately, people are going to judge me not by my words but by my actions and my administration's actions. And I think that what you will see over the next several years is that I'm not going to agree with everything that some Muslim leader may say, or what's on a television station in the Arab world -- but I think that what you'll see is somebody who is listening, who is respectful, and who is trying to promote the interests not just of the United States, but also ordinary people who right now are suffering from poverty and a lack of opportunity. I want to make sure that I'm speaking to them, as well.

Wow--An America who listens respectfully--one who tries to "promote the interests not just of the United States"?

Could it be??

It's been a while since I've been proud to be an American...Living overseas has made me acutely aware of how self-serving and single-minded American foreign policy can be...The word is desperately ready for Obama to make good on these promises!

But he's right...we are ultimately going to judge him based on his actions, not his glib speech.

I hardly recognize the American foreign policy, already.

Beginning with his inaugral speech, Obama has relentlessly pursued a proactive approach to Muslims and the Middle East.

I am cautious, but also very impressed.

Spinnin' wheel got to go round.

This is simply ominous. "Vowing no surrender..."

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I'm the daughter of a Gazan. I agree with the "international human rights groups" who say that "Israel used disproportionate force" against Palestine--more than once.

But I still shudder to watch this video. It is a graphic illustration of what we already knew--the end is nowhere in sight. It breaks my heart.

Taking his time?

I am glad to hear that Obama is taking his time before implementing any new strategy or plan for withdrawl in Iraq. After all, this was only Day 2 for him. I think it's a sign of wisdom and humility to pause and gather the counsel of experts before making such important decisions. As much as I can't WAIT for the US to be out of Iraq, I know that it would be to our detriment if we exit unwisely. I don't support the war, but we must make the best of the reality we find ourselves in.

I also liked to see that his first phone calls were to people like Abbas and Mubarak!! ;-)

"It ain't over, mebbe."

"Get ready for round two..." eh?

Watching History...

I think the whole world is ready for this candidate of change...I only hope we won't be disappointed!!

I'm sitting next to my brother, watching Yo-Yo Ma and others perform and waiting to witness an incredible moment in history...

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down

For now, a cease fire and an Israeli withdrawl. Will it last?



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http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1055968.html <<< Interesting little article I found by an Israeli journalist who disapproves of Israel's conduct of late. A little healthy criticism of one's government is only ever a sign of intelligence and understanding, in my opinion.

Well, I suppose as the daughter of a Gazan, I should be breathing a sigh of relief at Israel's promise to be "out of Gaza by the time Obama is inaugurated"...but with over 1,300 dead, there is no victory here--although both Hamas and the IDF are claiming to be the "winners."

Palestine has suffered massive consequences for the mistakes of Hamas, and those who paid the ultimate price will remain a bloody testament to the missteps of this "government" for all time.

What remains to be seen is how much Israel will suffer politically and emotionally for the unscrupulous brutalities of it's own leaders. No, Palestine's petty artillery is no match for Israel's mighty military, but those 1,300+ bodies won't disappear once they're buried. The world watched each man, woman, and child fall, and for many in the audience, the display of the past 3 weeks triggered a horror that will not soon be forgotten.

I was afraid of this...

The Palestine/Israel conflict just got a whole lot uglier...Not only are they not slowing the attack after 19 days of fighting, but now a second front has come under fire, this time from Lebanon.

I don't see how this new offensive is going to do anything productive--I have a sinking feeling that it's just going to result in an angrier, more determined Israel...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090114/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_palestinians

Naughty Harry

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7822574.stm

Ceasefire? Not so much.

I don't think many people were surprised when Hamas and Israel both dismissed the Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire. Israel says it isn't finished, and that the UN resolution was not "practical," while Hamas is remaining resolute as well.

A little good news, after much bad.

Click on the link above to read an early synopsis of the Security Council resolution passed a few hours ago. Passed with 14 (out of 15) in favor, with the United States abstaining (no surprise, I guess.)

Good News: The resolution "stresses the urgency of, and calls for, an immediate, durable, and fully respected cease-fire which will lead to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza."

Bad News: Israel has warned repeatedly that if the U.N. was to pass a resolution that it didn't agree with it, then Israel would not necessarily comply. Like wise, a senior Hamas advisor, Hamid, vowed a few hours ago (as he was being hustled by Egyptian security officers) that Hamas would not give up.

This is all a very frustrating and all-to-familiar mess. I sometimes feel like I'm watching two very angry adolescents--each with their share of legitimate grievances, but with their own assortments of destructive emotional and personal energies as well. It's come to blows too many times before, and both sides are using whatever materials they can get their hands on to try and knock the other one senseless. And, unfortunately for the people of these two nations, both of these individuals have been able to get their hands on some pretty powerful weapons these days.

Where does it end?

I think...when both of them decide that peace is more important than winning--more important than being right, more important than having the last word, than getting exactly what you want.

When both of them decide that compromise is an option, at least. When both of them decide that the bloodshed needs to be stopped, regardless of the personal losses.

No one can end this but Palestine and Israel.

But kudos to Sarkozy and the Security Council for giving it a shot.

Oh, Papa.

"FOX News is the Al Jazeera of America!"
-My father (a Gazan)

haha...no comment from me. I just found this humorous.

Is it just me, or is there a special sort of ugliness in this conflict?

My father was raised for seven years on the support and security offered by UNRWA. Shouldn't peace-keeping operations like that be exempt from the conflict? And what about schools, and children? Aren't they sort of, well, off-limits? Sacred? Well, two UNRWA schools were just hit by Israeli fire, killing at least five young Palestinians.

The death toll has reached 580 and is rising, and the United Nations, the E.U., the Red Cross, and countless leaders around the world have decried the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This is unsustainable!

I am NOT a Hamas supporter. I can acknowledge Israel's desire to eradicate these extremists, who responded to the UNRWA casualties by vowing to "kill Jewish children around the world." No, I don't like the sound of that. But this is getting out of control. There has to be a better way to do this, and yet,

'Israel worked yesterday to prevent a meeting of the UN Security Council, concerned it might force a premature ceasefire...Israel's ambassador to the UN, Gabriela Shalev, hinted that the Government would consider not complying with UN directives if it ordered an end to military activity. "We are relying on our friends the US and others so that we do not reach the point of a resolution that we will have to reject."'

Meanwhile, George W. Bush has simply 'emphasized "Israel's right to defend itself."

Oh, this is ugly. I don't have the answers, and I won't pretend I do. I may be the daughter of a Gazan, but I can see both sides, at least, partially. Israel does have the right to defend itself. But there needs to be an adjustment, there needs to be safeguards, there needs to be a way to keep this from getting to the point where United Nations' schools are not becoming targets. These helpless people have been hijacked or duped by Hamas, and there has to be away to punish Hamas without punishing the entiere population of Gaza.

I wish...I wish...Well, never mind. Maybe when Obama takes office...

Another bloody day...

As people in the States are just waking up, the people of Gaza are reaching the mid-afternoon of another very bloody, tragic day of fighting.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioi_0jtO9RjMwPNRoXNCndRPRq3gD95HJNC00

A few things to check out.

Quick sidenote before I head to bed (it's 1:30 AM here in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia). Here's an interesting editorial in the Saudi Gazette calling for Hamas to "abdicate." Hmm.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2009010525791

Also from the Saudi Gazette, an article by Dr. James J. Zogby, the president of the Arab American Institute. Interestingly, I read this after my initial post, and it seems he and I share a lot of the same views at this moment.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2009010525837

And, if you're interested, a timeline of events relevant to the current Palestine-Israel conflict.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/01/04/world/20090104_ISRAEL-HAMAS_TIMELINE.html

Oh, Gaza...

“Well, let’s just see what’s happening to the Palestinians today,” chirped my father, grabbing the remote this evening. “You don’t want to know, Dad,” I protested lamely, knowing that CNN would have no good news to offer. “Girl, do you think anything is going to surprise me now?” he said, turning to face me. He gave me a look I didn’t quite understand—a look of resignation and exhaustion, as if he had been driven to detach himself from the horrors.

You have to understand where he’s coming from. He was born in a UNRWA refugee camp in Gaza, Palestine in 1960. His family lost everything in the Six Day War and was forced to flee to Saudi Arabia, where they struggled for years to rebuild their lives. He rarely talks about the suffering, degradation, and danger he faced there, but I know he is haunted. There is something in every refugee that is at never at peace, I think.

All I can say about the current crisis in Gaza is, I’m heartbroken about it. I still haven't collected enough information to say anything too specific about the whole thing; the last few days have been very busy for me, and I have regrettably not had the time to follow the situation closely. I have always made it a point to form my opinions based on independent and intellectual research and analysis, not emotional or “cut-and-paste” reactions. Being an idealist, though, I have always hoped to deduce what the moral, logical, realistic solution would be…and, not surprisingly, I have not found one yet.

I could rally on the streets with the thousands of college students worldwide calling for an end to Israel, an immediate ceasefire, and a "Palestine for the Palestinians." As the daughter of a Gazan who feels a strong tie to the suffering people in Palestine, this would be an easy and understandable choice. Logical? Maybe not—even as a half-Palestinian, I can’t say that I believe Hamas has done any good for the Palestinian cause, and the symbolic group has lost whatever legitimacy it had before this conflict. Thus, placing the entire blanket of blame on Israel wouldn't really be rational. There are also a few, very imprudent, very extreme Palestinians who bear a fair share of the responsibility for the Gazan's suffering--and I can't reasonably ignore that.

I understand that many impoverished, frustrated, vulnerable Palestinians saw Hamas’ aggressive approach as their best way out. I understand that many have felt cheated—cheated out of their land, good jobs, a decent education, and their own dignity. I understand that people like this are ripe for exploitation by extremist groups, and I’m sorry that’s what happened. Even my father, whose whole life was thrown off-track by Israeli violence, has called Hamas “a bunch of crazy terrorists.” It is really, really tragic that Hamas has become the symbol of Palestine to the world.

The road to the present conflict is decades long, riddled with many mistakes on all sides. Looking back, I see a hundred opportunities that Palestine (and Israel) missed—a hundred instances where the scenario would have been vastly better than the one my father and I saw on TV last night. To be honest, I can’t fault Israel 100%, no matter what images I see on Al Jazeera. The horrors are real, the dead are gone forever, and yes, I was extremely frustrated when the US blocked a Security Council appeal for ceasefire. All I’m saying is, Hamas WAS firing a lot of rockets, and hey, if I was an Israeli citizen, I would want my government to protect me. Really, like I said, this whole thing is tragic, and the Palestinian people are paying the highest price, no matter how you look at it.

Where do we go from here? That remains the million dollar question. I have not yet formed my own opinion fully—all I can say at this time is, my God, let the aid trucks in!

Ringing in the New Year, Ex Pat Style

Well, as I discussed last time, celebrating Christmas here in Saudi Arabia requires many adaptations and innovations, and many ex pats prove to be very creative and determined in this respect. New Year's Eve, another essential holiday for Westerners, also poses many challenges.

Firstly, Saudi Arabia follows the hijra (Islamic) calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the Western calendar. Thus, the "new year" for them happens several days before Christmas--although they view this as a relatively minor date. Thus, most Westerners can expect to work on New Year's, unless the date falls on the Saudi weekend of Thursday and Friday.

Now, many people enjoy spending New Year's Eve in the quiet company of their family, playing games or watching movies, counting down till midnight. However, to many others, the idea of New Year's is irrevocably tied to the idea of parties and, of course, alcohol.

Unfortunately for these convivial souls, alcohol is outlawed in the Kingdom. Still, true to the typical ex-pat spirit, many have formed a sort of underground "moonshine" network. Swapping recipes for wine, rum, and whiskey, and brewing their precious liquids in bathtubs and closets, many Westerners here in Jeddah are well-stocked not only on New Year's, but year-round.

Nicknamed "sid" (short for siddiqi, "my friend"), this homemade alcohol is abundant at some expat functions, transported in under abayas, or in purses and briefcases. Recently, a certain woman member of this underground circle invented a specialized canvas bag for transporting sid. It is designed with two pockets sewn on opposite sides of the bag, shaped perfectly for the glass juice bottles into which sid is typically poured. I chuckled when a friend of mine told me about these bags, and we exchanged one of our "only in this country" looks.

As for parties, well, there a few that ex-pats can choose from, usually hosted at several different Western compounds. Partiers have to sign up ahead of time, show ID at the gate, and be 'sponsored' by an actual resident of the compound. Women will hide their sequined, skimpy New Years attire under their shapeless black abayas, concealing sid in one of the locations previously discussed.

It is impossible to say how much the compound security personnel know/suspect about these parties. Perhaps we are as good at keeping up appearances as we like to think; perhaps it would simply be too much of a headache to try and REALLY crack down on these parties. Regardless, most parties go off without a hitch. I've always said that some of the hardest partiers I know of are the men and women here, who, after prolonged periods of protocol and gender segregation, find themselves momentarily beyond the reach of sharia law and rigid societal expectations. That feeling of fleeting liberation, combined with the magical powers of sid, certainly provide the basis for a pretty "wild" party.

Makeshift Christmases

In the event that you find yourself in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia over the holidays, don’t dismay. Find yourself some savvy ex-patriots who know the ropes, and they’ll show how we do Christmas and New Year’s here in the desert.

Christmas is tricky, because Saudi Arabia is a strictly Muslim nation where all other religions are outlawed. However, there are still plenty of determined Westerners who retain their holiday spirit, and there are plenty of devout Muslims willing to accommodate them. I still remember several Christmases ago when I accompanied my mother to the souk to scavenge for Christmas décor.

We wandered the dusty sidewalks, clad in our black abayas, until we found a promising “5-10-20” shop—that is, a five, ten, and twenty riyal store, the Jeddah equivalent of the Dollar Tree. The cramped shop smelled of stale air and cheap plastic, and the miniscule checkout “counter” was manned by a dark skinned man holding Muslim prayer beads.

We scanned the shelves, then turned to him and asked, “Christmas?” He nodded eagerly, hopping up and leading us up a rusty staircase and to the narrow room upstairs. This dimly lit room was windowless, and certainly had the air of an underground operation.

Against one wall leaned about half a dozen boxes of miniature plastic Christmas trees! Delighted, I snatched one up quickly, glancing gleefully at my mother, who wore a look of pure triumph. What a thrill! Our Christmas miracle was complete when we noticed several boxes of “Twenkle lights” on the shelf beside us. Jackpot!! We grabbed the flimsy cartons, amazed at our success. Giggling, we quickly paid for the plastic treasures, bagging them carefully and slipping stealthily out the door.

Some of our compatriots weren’t so lucky—several had to bring lights back from the States, and string them around some dry brush or a houseplant (I saw at least half a dozen such makeshift-Christmas trees each year). Christmas music and movies had to be brought from the States or bought as pirated copies from the peddlers at the souk.

Most of the shopping centers in Jeddah are either extremely expensive conglomerates of Guess, DKNY, and the like (designed mostly for wealthy Saudi royals) or dilapidated one-room shops full of two-dollar jeans. This makes for an extremely frustrating holiday shopping process, and, in the event you find a decent gift (and most people simply shop months ahead when they visit the States) you can forget about finding wrapping paper!

As for Christmas dinner, turkeys are hard to come by, and cranberry sauce is also a rare find—don’t ask me why. However, I have seen ex-pats deal with these issues in many ways. Firstly, we are all obligated to alert one another if we find one of these precious holiday staples—for example, one year a family friend called us in great excitement, announcing that he had found several turkeys for sale at a certain supermarket. “Hurry, though!! There were only a few left!”

Many ex-pats bring cans of cranberries or boxes of stuffing mix with them from the States/UK/wherever, or ask their friends to bring them back. Others invent new holiday traditions, like having Italian food or traditional Arabic shawarmas for Christmas dinner. All in all, Christmas in Jeddah demands a lot of creative thinking and compromise, but I can assure you, first hand, that most families do not forgo their share of merriment. For some, it’s the time spent with loved ones that makes their hearts light, for others, it’s the homemade alcohol, brewed in secret and shared among the ex-pat community as a prized commodity. But more about that next time.

Oh, the drama!

I would like to introduce you all to my unique crusade--trying to pry closed minds open just a bit, and doing what I can to promote tolerance, understanding, and diversity. A good way to illustrate this passion in action is to reccount a debate I sparked in my local newspaper a few months ago, beginning with a short letter to the editor, ending in a full column which the newspaper actually requested I write. Here is how it all started:

"MUSLIMS DESERVE RESPECT" By, (ME)

Disgust. Pity. Outrage. These are the most common sentiments Americans express when confronted with images of Muslim women clad in traditional abayas or hijabs.

As “liberated” Western individuals, Americans almost invariably view such garments as symbols of oppression, backwardness and cruelty. However, these attitudes only reveal that cultural misunderstanding remains a widespread affliction.

Although I would never venture to defend such institutions as the Taliban, I am continually disappointed with American misconceptions of Islam. Oppressive regimes like that of Iran or Afghanistan are the exceptions, not the norm, regarding women’s rights in the region.Many women in the Mideast enjoy freedom of dress and employment comparable to Western societies.

Many women wear the hijab out of personal conviction, rather than federal obligation (which is why many continue to cover here, in America).Observing religion or tradition is an honorable pursuit, and these women, and their beliefs, deserve respect and dignity.

A recent Gallup Poll illustrates my point in sobering terms. Researchers asked Muslims what they admire about Americans. They received answers such as “free speech” and “political freedom.”Researchers then asked Americans what they admire about Muslims. The No. 1 answer? “Nothing.” Words can scarcely express the way this information frustrated and saddened me.
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Below is the first response to my letter, which I could not respond to, because I was in Morocco with no internet access....
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Disgust. Pity. Outrage. Yes, these are words that can properly be associated with Islam. I have educated myself on Islam. My opinion has not changed (“Muslims deserve respect,” Your Views, July 27).

It is a religion of intolerance. As a Christian, I do not expect other individuals, businesses and cultures to cater to my beliefs and whims.Yet, almost on a daily basis, we read about how Muslims demand accommodations to be made especially for them at businesses, vacation spots, hotels, resorts and other gathering places.Muslims cry about disrespect — where is the respect for my culture and my religion?

Why, even fourth-grade textbooks in Saudi Arabia teach little children that faithful Muslims must hate Jews and Christians.The Saudis are not viewed as Muslim extremists but as mainstream Muslim followers.

We know what the Muslim extremists think — evidence of their contributions to the world are found in graves and devastated cities everywhere. Muslims who complain about disrespect from non-Muslims need to examine themselves and their so-called religion.Is it really a surprise that most Americans, according to research, admire nothing about Islam?
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A second letter appeared two days later, which was more offensive than the first, and more poorly written as well.
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This is for Sarah S****** and all those who share her feelings.

Are you not aware that respect is something that one must “earn.” It is not a gift. We are not shocked or disgusted when we see a Muslim woman in her homeland dress. We might ignore or feel sorry for them for remaining a foreigner.

A good example of why we do not throw ourselves at your feet might be the two Muslim women who are suing a business for $10 million because they were turned down for employment. Why? They were turned down for employment because they refused to respect the dress code of the place of employment.

I am certain in your birth country business people have specific rules for employment as well. This situation should not be a surprise. It is also evidence that these Muslim women have made no effort to assimilate into our culture.If they have become U.S. citizens they are not following what is demanded of a “legal” immigrant and the terms they agreed to.

Other groups, i.e. English, Polish etc., all followed our citizenship rules. Becoming a citizen means you have agreed to adopt America as “your new homeland”, no longer a citizen of your place of birth. It means you have learned, or are learning to speak English and using it. Yes you have a wealth of freedoms as an American citizen but you also have the obligation to honor and serve America as you assimilate into our culture.

We are the ones who are rightly disappointed. We expected you to learn to live in our culture. If you came here for a U.S. address, you made a terrible mistake. We have people from many countries who have assimilated into our culture. The key word here is “assimilate”! You cannot come here and ignore our culture. The word “United” should explain that rule. Let me ask you, how many Muslims living in America are in our Armed Forces today defending the freedoms you claim you and yours are enjoying? I don’t know of any. How many public appearances have you and members of your Mosque made where all in attendance publicly denounced those who wish to destroy America? Again, I know of none.

Instead some show their arrogance by sending their young children to be schooled in the old country which we have discovered means learning terrorist beliefs. If you really want to be an American, yes you have to change some of your ways. We think it is worth it. If it is not, there are many standing in line to take your place.
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The newspaper emailed me and asked if I'd like to write a full column for the newspaper the following Sunday. My blood was boiling at this point, and I wrote the following response.
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Who would have thought that my simple, 200-word letter would cause such a stir? The steady succession of letters, online feedback, and most recently, a full opinion column, written in response to my article “Muslims deserve respect,” has been astonishing.
Why was I surprised? Simply, I did not expect that so many people would find the seemingly benign statement, “Muslims deserve respect” to be so offensive. I always assumed, perhaps naively, that most Americans shared my belief that ALL members of the human race deserve basic dignity.

Sadly, many responses indicated otherwise.The myriad accusations and declarations that filled Mr. Ham’s column last Sunday, and the earlier letter “Religion of intolerance” left me full of disappointment and, frankly, disgust. On behalf of my Muslim friends, classmates, coworkers, and professors, the deep sting of injustice and misrepresentation touches my heart, too — even as a non-Muslim.

Yes, actually, I myself am a Caucasian, Chicago-born, non-Muslim-American who speaks English, wears her hair uncovered and celebrates Christmas. Indeed, Mr. Ham’s mistaken references to my “birth country,” my supposed mosque and my alleged failure to “assimilate” are truly telling. Why did Mr. Ham assume that I must be an immigrant and a member of a mosque simply because I wrote a short piece defending Muslims’ dignity? Is it that unthinkable that an average American could feel concern about the rights of Muslims? Here, perhaps, may be the most tragic facet of this issue. Are we truly that divided?

Our country has been hurt by adherents to “Islam,” to be sure. However, I did not think it necessary to assure readers that the “Islam” of terrorists is not the Islam practiced by our Muslim-American neighbors. Claims have been raised that Islam is the “only religion that preaches hate and intolerance.” Again, I find this disappointing and somewhat ignorant. No adherents to any belief system desire to be held accountable for what counterfeit “religious” extremists say in the name of their faith! (Is there a single Christian who would identify the “holy” Crusades as Scriptural?)

All I ask is that all people, including Muslims, be judged with fairness and under the American principles of assumed innocence and correct representation. Now I’ll address Mr. Ham’s questions. “How many Muslims … are in our Armed Forces?” he queried, “I don’t know of any.” Ah, but your knowledge is not all-encompassing, Mr. Ham. There are thousands — check your facts. His next question: How many Muslims are publicly denouncing terrorism? “Again, I know of none,” quoth he. Again, try a little research, you’d be surprised. May I recommend visiting MuslimsForAmerica.us? You may find it enlightening.

When I wrote my first article, I had no intention of stirring up controversy. However, the ensuing debate has revealed an ugly reality: prejudice and misunderstanding lurking just below the surface of our “open” society. These seeds of hatred are what should truly frighten and appall us. Mr. Ham was right about one thing — America must remain united. Perhaps the boat does need a little rocking.