I've been posting this link a lot, as I believe it well communicates a fundamental truth about this conflict. I thank onedoug for posting it above, and encourage others to use it, as well. It seems obvious that you guys haven't read it.
Personally, I am extremely intolerant (gasp! he's intolerant!) towards Islam. I will become tolerant when there are churches and synagogues in downtown Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, Islamabad, Karachi, Jakarta, and similar locales, and the locals aren't trying to burn down the structures and kill the attendees.
Until then, trying to convince me that "Islam is a peaceful religion" based on one nice maintenance guy in Cincy, is a total waste of time, and simply represents the logical fallacy of an Unrepresentative Sample.
Islam is what Muslims do, and anyone who has bothered to understand the basics of the long-term history, and current events worldwide, knows that, Yes Virginia, We Are at War with Islam.
Thus, what is most frightening is not that there are Muslim terrorists, but by how little criticism of Islamic terror emanates from normative Islamic groups. While some Muslim groups have condemned individual acts of Islamic terror such as 9-11, not one significant Muslim group in the world, including here in free America, has condemned Islamic terror generally. And the leaders of Al-Azhar University, the most prestigious institution of Islamic learning, have actually morally and religiously come out in support of Islamic suicide terror against Israelis.
So the fact that the majority of those living in the Islamic countries are good people is of no consequence. Unless they do something to condemn and to isolate the Muslim totalitarians and terrorists in their midst, history will judge them as it has all the good Germans during the Holocaust.
Yes, that is the point isn't it? I am truly sure there are peaceful Muslims - I don't know any - but don't know any Muslims at all except what I have seen on TV. Now, the fact the probably are some - does anyone think they will all come to the aid of non Muslims if they are attacked by Muslims? Or will they take the side of Muslims?
Now assume they seem like such nice friendly people - but it has been my experience that if someone has something horrendous to hide - they are very good at hiding it. If these people really do intend harm to the US - are they going to live next door to you or work with you and tell you every day they are going to attack you or wish you dead?
Do you know the thing that makes me wonder just how peaceful they are - is the very fact our President is going out of his way to kick dirt in our face and proclaim to the world how wonderful they are. You know it just seems he is trying too hard. We have been treated to many tolerance lessons (haven't heard any for Christians yet) and threats and sock-feet visits to mosque and celebration of their holiday in the WH - and we are now bigots if we don't like it. Do you get my drift - I don't think he believes it for one minute - he just hopes he can talk you into it, coerce you into it , or use the law to make you accept it (or at least keep your mouth shut).
Remember calling someone a name like BIGOT or RACIST is just a way to intimidate and attempt to shut you up. It means absolutely nothing. It has no facts or common sense - just intended intimidation and it is just ludicrous and sad for our President (or his spokesman) to use.