Soap Box

The recent massacre of five of America's finest young men in Chattanooga, Tennessee starkly points out the failure of our government - both political parties - to deal with a complex problem that will not go away.

A problem that will require the powers that be to put aside the political correctness, the rhetorical fluffy statements that "Islam is a peaceful religion� and "all Muslims are not terrorists" and get on with the business at hand.

We already know that all Muslims are not terrorists, that the vast majority are hard working family people who just want what the rest of us want, to take care of their families and live their lives in peace.

But can anybody in their right mind honestly say that at least some of them are not terrorists, and that the ones who are terrorists conceal themselves among the ones who aren't terrorists? Therein lies the problem. 

We all brought our religion, our customs and a certain fondness for the homeland to America with us when we came.

But if things had been so good in the homeland, why leave it, why come to America and attempt to make it, or at least your part of it just like the land you just left?

So, when we come here, we become Americans, we leave old allegiances and nationalistic loyalties behind and become a part of building and protecting the land that we came to by our own free will, nobody forced us to come or to stay here. 

That's what being an American means, and when you pledge allegiance to it, which is part of the naturalization process, you are declaring yourself a new person, a part of and loyal to The United States of America, although just this week it was announced that new naturalized citizens no longer have to pledge to defend the U.S.

That aside, it means you don't aid and abet, conceal or comfort enemies who would harm this nation or its citizens.

That means that the enemies of America are also your enemies and are just as much a threat to you and your family as they are to citizens who do not share your beliefs.

While Muslims in America are totally free to practice Islam, build Mosques and openly display the dress and trappings of their faith, in some of the lands they came here from are imprisoned and even beheaded for practicing their faith, which doesn't speak well for Islam being "a religion of peace".

Now, I know what some of you are going to say.

"The people who decapitate and imprison do not represent �true� Islam.�

Well, while that may be a fact, the truth of the matter is that - unfortunately - to most of the world, they and the mullahs in Iran represent the face of Islam and along with acts of insane violence like the one Mohammad Youssef Abulazeez pulled off in Chattanooga, that�s the image of Islam most people in America see and the virtual silence of the Muslim community and the pugilistic attitude of pro Muslim organizations like CAIR, only serve to proliferate it.

Again, I know what some of you are going to say, "Haven't you seen prominent Muslims on television condemning the terrorists?"

I have and I commend them, but talk - without action - is cheap.

The War on Terror is futile without the cooperation of the Muslim community and American leadership that is willing to pursue potential terrorists into their hiding places in the Muslim neighborhoods.

Profiling? You could call it that, or you could call it doing what is necessary to keep all Americans - including Muslim families - safe.

What do you think?

Pray for our troops and the peace of Jerusalem.

God Bless America.

� Charlie Daniels

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