For John, BLUF: We win with a better story, not a trumped up story. Nothing to see here; just move along.
In Saturday's edition of The [Lowell] Sun is a column by Michelle Malkin, "How to create an anti-Muslim hate-crime 'epidemic'".
Ms Malkin takes to task Mr Brian Levin and his one-man "Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism" at California State University, San Bernardino. Turns out that Mr Levin's operation is an offshoot of the very prejudiced Southern Poverty Law Center.
Hate crimes, which is a fancy word for assault and malicious mischief, are up against Muslims, but still not at the level of those against Jews. And, terrorist attacks do make people nervous and jumpy. Terrorist attacks that Government officials try to sweep under the rug as gun violence make people even more nervous and jumpy.
We need good leadership from Government officials and from ministers of the faith. We need facts to help us understand the magnitude of the problem. We need police actions that are quickly responsive, as in the San Bernardino event, but are not over reactions. What we don't need is Government officials telling us that there isn't a problem, or worse, that we are the problem by our reactions. Terrorism is all about reactions. Help us to react properly by giving us the truth. We can handle the truth.
One thing we, as citizens, need to understand is that it really is a few bad apples and not our neighbors. Terrorism is actions on the part of people who can't do anything else. On the other hand, we should recognize that the Criminal Gang of al Baghdadi (think Chicago 1920s Gang Leader) is able to tell a great story to disaffected youth throughout the West. We need to counteract that story with an open hand.
If The [Lowell] Sun ever publishes a URL I will publish it here.
Regards — Cliff
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