january 13, 2006

Monitoring Mosques for Nukes

Some Muslim “leaders” are miffed about news reports that ever since 9/11 the feds have been secretly monitoring mosques for traces of nuclear radiation. The New York Times reported that, “F.B.I. officials met with Muslim and Arab-American leaders on Wednesday in an effort to dispel anger and concern over the bureau's secret monitoring of radiation levels at Muslim sites around the country.”

So I asked myself, How would I feel if I discovered the feds were secretly sampling the air around my church, looking for traces of radiation? The answer is easy. I would be upset that they might not be getting the best sample outside the church building, and I would invite them to set up their instruments inside. I would also bring them coffee and donuts and be as helpful as possible.

I then asked a moderate Muslim political figure in Washington, a member of the Sufi sect, if he was offended by the news of the secret monitoring of Mosques. He bellowed, “Of course not! I support it.” But he explained that the radical Muslim leadership in this country, which has hijacked the megaphone and presently claims to speak for all Muslims, hates being reminded of Islamic extremism. He also described what I call the “Jesse Jackson syndrome.” That’s when there needs to be a social problem, real or imagined, or someone in Washington won’t get a paycheck.