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So Much for Brotherly Love

No, the response did not come from Muslims. It did not come from radical elements of Islam, such as Al Qaeda. It came from an American citizen or citizens.

The Corvallis, Oregon Salmon Al-Farsi Islamic Center was set on fire deliberately by an arsonist. Most likely, this arsonist or arsonists acted for the first time, but they possessed all of the skills of devotees of extremism.

Investigators report that it appears that someone broke a window and tossed a flammable container filled with liquid inside. The perpetrator dared not enter the building, but instead, placed the instrument of destruction through a window broken for that purpose, or broke the glass by tossing the flammable object through it.

Cowards never work out in the open and this was certainly a work of cowardice. It was an act of terror and the person or persons who committed this act should be treated exactly the same way as Mohamed Osman Mohamud, the failed Christmas tree bomber, is going to be charged, tried and punished. Terror is terror regardless of the religion or other nature of the perpetrator.

Signs that the federal government understands and appreciates this concept are showing up with encouraging frequency and the urgency of stopping this brand of terrorism is manifest in law enforcement’s efforts:

“The FBI has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.

 ”We have made it quite clear that the FBI will not tolerate any kind of retribution or attack on the Muslim community,” said Arthur Balizan, Special Agent for Oregon. “We are working very closely with the leadership at the mosque. We will find the person responsible for this attack and bring the full force fo <sic> the federal justice system to bear.”

“In the meantime, the FBI remains absolutely committed to protecting each and every American’s right to live, work and worship in a free and safe society,” he said.

A tipline has been established at (541) 766-6506. If no one picks up immediately, leave a message. As an alternate, you can call the FBI’s twenty-four hour number at (503) 224-4181. Tips can be emailed to portland@ic.fbi.gov.

U.S. Attorney Dwight Holton vowed to prosecute the case aggressively.

“The fact is that violent extremists come from all religions and no religion at all. For one person to blame a group, if that’s what happened here, is uniquely anti-American and will be pursued with the full force of the Justice Department,” he said.

Anyone who sanctions the actions of the arsonist or who sympathizes with their state of mind following news of the attempted bombing is un-American in their viewpoint and should be treated as a pariah. What is the appropriate American response? An appropriate American response was succinctly by Imam Yosof Wanly:

“The common scene here is to be very friendly, accepting various cultures and religions,” Wanly said. “The Islamic center has been here for 40 years, it’s more American than most Americans with regards to age.”

Most of Imam Wanly’s congregation members are Somali refugees who fled their native land seeking peace:

“We left Somalia because of war, and we would like to live in peace as part of the American community,” said Kayse Jama, director of a local organization founded after the Sept. 11 attacks to fight anti-Muslim sentiment.

“We are Portlanders. We are Oregonians. We are Americans, and we would like to be treated that way,” Jama said, according to The Associated Press. “We are your co-workers, your neighbors.”

I wonder if the person or persons responsible for this crime were wearing a cross around their neck. Every religion has radicals among them. Every atheist group also has radicals among them. Most people within these groups, however, are good people who seek peace, security and the right to live their lives as fully as possible in pursuit of their own dreams as opposed to living for the group or the government. Devotees of Islam, for the most part, are no different than the rest of us. When was the last time a member of Islam shot an abortion doctor or bombed a Planned Parenthood building?

To what faith, if any, does Julian Assange belong, and what do you suppose their views are toward knowing releasing information that will result in the deaths of others? How many ministers or priests with President of the United States aspirations do you supposed are in favor of the death penalty? Every group possesses individuals who live, breathe and walk outside the norm. Some are exceptionally good and others are exceptionally bad. That is a fact of life and as a fact, it reveals the folly of governments that try to make everyone subordinate to them equal. Don Quixote has a greater chance of finding dragons among windmills than any organization, church or state has in imposing equality on their subjects.

Let’s try to life as Americans and uphold the value of tolerance, understanding and the principles of self-governance as a body and as individuals by demanding and working to exhibit the very best that we are capable of while shunning those who prey upon or otherwise disregard the individual, natural rights of man.