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Suicide Bombing OK

Anyone out there not think this is a problem:

WASHINGTON - One in four younger U.S. Muslims said in a poll that suicide bombings to defend their religion are acceptable at least in some circumstances, though most Muslim Americans overwhelmingly reject the tactic and are critical of Islamic extremism and al-Qaida…

While nearly 80 percent of U.S. Muslims say suicide bombings of civilians to defend Islam can not be justified, 13 percent say they can be, at least rarely.

That sentiment is strongest among those younger than 30. Two percent of them say it can often be justified, 13 percent say sometimes and 11 percent say rarely.

“It is a hair-raising number,” said Radwan Masmoudi, president of the Washington-based Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, which promotes the compatibility of Islam with democracy.

I’m not particularly worried about the 11 percent or even the 13 percent. Those are equivocators. The 2 percent works out to 47,000 people who think suicide bombing is often justified.  They live in a community that, in the following percentages, believes the following things:

Favorable view of al-Qaida, 5 percent. About a quarter did not express an opinion.

Arab men carried out the Sept. 11 attacks, 40 percent.

U.S. was wrong to invade Iraq, six to one. One-third say the same about Afghanistan.

Muslim first, American second, 47 percent. (report states 42 percent of Christians and 62 percent of white evangelical Protestants identified themselves primarily by their religion in earlier surveys.)

Favor the Democrats over GOP, six to one. Voted for Kerry over Bush, five to one.

I’d like to see some answers to more useful questions.  What percentage of U.S. Muslims think America is the Great Satan, which must be converted to the One True Faith and ruled by the Caliphate? How many would follow orders from Osama bin Laden? How many think the United States is depriving them of their rights and economic advantages. How many think the United States is forcing them to endure indignities and witnesses obscenities. How many think Britney Spears and Paris Hilton are shameless tramps who should be publicly scourged and forced to wear gunny sacks … hmm, OK, not a good question.   

We’ve seen cells in various stages of development broken up in Buffalo, Oregon, Detroit, New York and New Jersey, primarily bungling zealots.  So what do you think. Are there smart ones out there? 

Topics: Islam, USA

  Posted by Jules Crittenden at 11:51 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2007

3 Responses to “Suicide Bombing OK”

1. Purple Avenger Says:
   May 23rd, 2007 at 5:54 am

   Nothing to see here, just move along people. Now, about that immigration reform bill…

2. Bloodthirsty Liberal Says:
   May 23rd, 2007 at 9:11 am

   Just as alarming, Jules, is the tendency in the media to downplay the results. OVER 3/4 AMERICAN MUSLIMS REJECT SUICIDE BOMBING!!! blare headlines in the Washington Post and USA Today, among many others. Credit the Herald for taking a different tack, while being scrupulously honest: “Poll: 1 in 4 younger U.S. Muslims support suicide bombings at least rarely” Now, that’s the story.

   Interestingly, Purple (if I may presume a first-name basis–call me Bloodthirsty), allowing Muslims to immigrate here, at least Muslims of a certain age, might DILUTE the concentration of terrorism sympathizers. The most pissed off segments of the American Muslim population, according to the poll, are the under-30s and African Americans. I don’t like this immigration bill one bit, but it would appear we have less to fear from 45-year-old Mustafa from Mogadishu than we do from 23-year-old Jamal from Jacksonville.

   Bloodthirsty Liberal

3. RebeccaH Says:
   May 23rd, 2007 at 6:46 pm

   The most pissed off segments of the American Muslim population, according to the poll, are the under-30s and African Americans.

   Exactly. The exact demographic that is a target of Saudi-funded programs in mosques and prisons.

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