As Robert Spencer noted back on May 14, in the wake of the Fort Dix jihad plot arrests - the mainstream media featured numerous news articles focusing on the fears of other Muslims in America: Just like the previous cries of backlash warnings from Muslim groups - it never came (it never does). None of the backlash reports included news of any actual backlash incidents, because four days after the arrests, there hadn't been any.

And what Homeland Security is doing flies in the face of what true moderate Muslims keep warning us about. HS gives ear to groups like CAIR instead of the truly moderate Muslims in America. According to Khalid Duran (who is a Muslim), in an article entitled How CAIR Put My Life in Peril, published in the Middle East Forum:

CAIR is the principle front organization of a coalition of Islamist (or fundamentalist Muslim) groups that have taken root in America over the past two decades. Most are spin-offs of the Islamic Association of Palestine (IAP), such as the American Muslims for Jerusalem, the Holy Land Foundation, and the Islamic Institute. These are extreme groups, and some have even come under federal investigation for alleged support of Middle Eastern terrorism. But CAIR's mission has differed from the others: its special assignment is the insinuation of the Islamist agenda into mainstream American politics. Like the many front organizations established by the Soviet Union in its heyday, CAIR works to give a "white bread" image to advocates of illiberal and even radical ideas.

CAIR is run by a duo. The executive director, Nihad Awad, is a Palestinian; his associate, Ibrahim ("Dougie") Hooper, is an American convert. Awad actively propagates the cause in Arabic, while Hooper handles most of the English-language work. To create the perception that CAIR speaks for Islam in America, the two indefatigably issue position statements on anything remotely touching on Muslim or Arab affairs, reacting on everything from U.S. foreign policy to letters in college newspapers.

Yet, under CAIR's advisory, mosques are applying in droves for Homeland Security Funds, and Homeland Security is giving them money. We are, in essence, funding terrorism through our own Department of Homeland Security. This continues in spite of example after example of Islamists from CAIR and radical-preaching mosques and their imams continuing to play themselves an their organizations as victims.

In what amounts to a supreme example of Muslims playing the victim card under the choreography of CAIR, remember the praying/flying imams that are now suing the airlines and the passengers that pointed them out for their extremely suspicious behavior? M. Zuhdi Jasser, ounder and Chairman of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy based in Phoenix Arizona, a former U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander, a physician in private practice, and a community activist, says this of CAIR and the flying imams' lawsuit:

Make no mistake. This lawsuit forces our courts and our community to firmly clarify our rules of engagement and the tools we can and cannot use to stay safe and maintain our freedoms. If this case is not thrown out early by the courts it stands to chill civilian reporting of suspicious behavior which will further embolden those who target our American citizenry--Muslim and non-Muslim. Frankly, it will also create a deeper wedge and greater fear whether based on reality or ignorance between the Muslim and non-Muslim community. Contrary to the CAIR spin machine and their sympathizers, this case is about much more than a few Muslim imams from Phoenix who felt their rights (to fly) were infringed by U.S. Airways and some passengers (John Does) who passed notes to the crew. It is about much more than such a simplistic view of the known facts.

As a nation, our collective response to this will be a defining moment in the articulation of our values, while also defining our priorities in defense of civilian America against the threat of militant Islamism and all those enemies who target us.

We are seeing at play in this case elements that illustrate the pathology of political Islam and how it blindly drives many Muslims who believe in it, whether or not their means are wise or their ends are understood. The longer we avoid the deeper discussion of the machinations of political Islam (Islamism) in America, the longer we allow it to take cover and thrive under the guise of political correctness within our pluralistic democracy. The longer we continue to disengage from the real aims and overriding denial of Islamist organizations that wage public battle through their toxic mixture of religion and politics, the further we fall behind in this war of ideas. Without engagement, Islamism, Salafism, and radicalism will continue to flourish within the very construct of our Constitutional government and protection of our Bill of Rights - including its establishment clause - and all the while Islamists strive to create a society which honors neither.

Which again brings us to having to wonder just what is going on at Homeland Security and the Bush administration.

Related: Interesting articles on this and similar topics are available at the American Islamic Forum For Democracy (AIFD)