More Encouraging Signs

While I have often commented on the horrendous activities of Islamic terrorists, I have also supported President Bush’s insistence that our war with the terrorists is not a religious war and that most Muslims are peaceful people who want the same things for their children that we all do. We have about 5 million* Muslim citizens in the U.S.A., and the President is president of all of us. On the other hand, it has been frustrating to observe the restrained efforts and silence of American Muslim organizations in condemning terrorism, and the actions of C.A.I.R. are very disturbing.

In the light of all this it was very encouraging last week to learn that an American Muslim group has decided to provide legal help to the passengers being sued by the infamous six ‘flying Imams’. Another encouraging development was the filing of a bill this week by Republican Congressman, Steve Pearce, that would end the nonsense of such suits:

Don’t Sue Americans Who Report Suspicious Terrorist Activity
2nd District Lawmaker calls on Congress to protect Americans trying to prevent terror plots

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, United States Congressman Steve Pearce introduced H.R. 1640 the “Protecting Americans Fighting Terrorism Act of 2007.” If passed, this legislation would protect individuals from being sued for reporting suspicious activities to law enforcement and security personnel.

The language of the Act comes as a direct response to a recent incident in Minneapolis. As reported in the Minneapolis Star Tribune,
The imams engaged in a variety of suspicious behaviors while boarding a US Airways flight, according to the airport police report. Some prayed loudly in the gate area, spoke angrily about the United States and Saddam, switched seats and sat in the 9/11 hijackers' configuration, and unnecessarily requested seatbelt extenders that could be used as weapons, according to witness reports and US Airways spokeswoman Andrea Rader.

As a result of the aforementioned behavior, citizens contacted airline authorities and the pilot informed law enforcement to have the suspicious parties removed from the aircraft. The original incident occurred in November of 2006; now the group has filed suit against US Airways and the Minneapolis – St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission on 17 different charges. Included in the lawsuit as defendants, are “John Does” described as citizens who called authorities to report the suspicious behavior of the Imams.

Rep. Pearce commented on introducing the bill:
“It is a sad day in America when our own institutions of freedom are being used against us in the battle against terrorism. When I first heard about the lawsuit brought by the ‘imams’ in Minnesota, it was clear to me that this was an injustice against Americans who were simply trying to protect themselves. These brave citizens should be recognized as heroes for their efforts to report suspicious activity, particularly activity that has been associated with previous terror attacks.

“As Americans, we must not allow ourselves to be bullied by individuals who seek to disrupt our way of life. We can not allow the sympathizers of terrorism to make Americans wonder if they could be sued before reporting possible terrorist activity. Whether it is an intimidation tactic or a full scale attack, Americans have the right and responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow citizens. I introduced this legislation to protect Americans and keep all citizens alert and vocal as they serve on the front line in our battle against terrorism here in America.”

Rep. Pearce was joined by 10 cosponsors in introducing this legislation.

*estimates of the Muslim population of the U.S.A. vary widely