We Did The Right Thing

Submitted by John R (United States), Sep 5, 2006 at 21:47

The question is, in light of American Muslims, not American Non Muslims, engaging in terrorist actiivites -- our own American citizens but of Middle Eastern ethnicity or of Muslim religion -- should we make a distinction and use that as a basis for further investigating a passenger.

No, not that alone as a reason. In the case mentioned there is reason to believe that Ismail might be involved in terrorism. And that is because of the following:

Hamid Hayat, a 23-year-old cherry packer from LodiCalif.PakistanJaber Ismail, saying he "went, like, two years ago." Did Mr. Ismail attend the same camp as him? "I'm not sure, but I'll say he went to a camp," he said. Hayat later modified his story, saying that Mr. Ismail and another relative "didn't talk to me about going to camps or anything. But you know I'm sure they went to the camp ... 'cause they memorize the Holy Koran." in 2003 and 2004. In the course of a police interrogation, when asked who else had gone to the terror camps, Hayat fingered his 18-year-old American-born cousin, , , was convicted in April 2006 of providing material support to terrorists by attending a paramilitary training camp in..."

Should nothing come out of it, Ismail should be allowed entry. But in my opinion, they should be doggedly questioned or investigated first, to try to extrude any possible terrorism involvement that can identify them as terrorists. To not do so would mean our security with regards to entry to the USUS. And I would say even motes of suspicion should lead to investigation. That certainly should shore up our security more. is almost in a state of free fall, which is not intelligent at all because terrorists do enter the

This is also not a case of a Muslim or a Middle Eastern person being investigated simply because he is a Muslim. No, that would give the ACLU 5 stars out of 5 in correctness and we would get a torrent of criticism, rightfully, from all over the place. In the case with Ismail, other than (or in addition to?) being Muslim called for an investigation.

Should we decide to exclude Muslims from entering the United States is impossible and outrageous and un American. It's against this country's backbone of liberty and of a modern, intelligent society. We are not fascists. Let's not stoop that low. This is the kind of thing Hitler would do, and certainly something he did to Jews.

Should we take an extra step in investigating Muslims entering our country, regardless of whether there is ground for suspicion or not other than the fact that they are Muslims, is a question that prods us to think. Should we?

John R.

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