Yes... but

The 3rd episode of 30 Days was supposed to show how the Muslims living among us are victims of September 11-inspired paranoia. There were numerous comparisons made to the Oklahoma City bombing. What was missing was any realization of why Muslims in general are treated with suspicion in America. They did demonstrate it, though.

Part way through the show the current victim was arguing about terrorist bombing with his host. The argument was cut off in the middle by a call to prayer but not before we heard part of a "yes... but" statement.

When hundreds of people were killed in Oklahoma City, very few people cheered. Hardly anyone said that the bombing was justified and everyone who did say such a thing was treated with suspicion.

There was some suspicion that the Oklahoma City bombers were affiliated with radical white separatist Christians. The basic tenets of these groups have been disallowed by all mainstream Christian denominations.

That cannot be said of September 11. We saw pictures of Palestinians literally dancing in the street. The Taliban protected responsible people.

And Muslims in America say, "Yes, the bombings were bad, but they were justified."

Until the most common response from the Muslims living among us is, "The killing of innocent civilians is unconditionally wrong," then they are splitting their loyalties and we do not know which side they really favor.

An interesting development, according to the New York Times (I read it in a dead tree edition so I don't have a link), what had been Britain's most radical mosque is not calling for members to help bring the latest bombers to justice.