Radical Islam in Arkansas?
Chattanooga Times Free Press
LITTLE ROCK — It may seem an unlikely place for radical Muslim violence, but in suburban Little Rock, Ark., authorities accuse a convert to Islam of killing one Army private and wounding another -- supposedly "because of what they had done to Muslims in the past," The Associated Press reported.
Abdulhakim Muhammad, 23, has pleaded not guilty in the shooting death of 23-year-old Pvt. William Long and the wounding of 18-year-old Pvt. Quinton Ezeagwula.
Ironically, Pvt. Long and Pvt. Ezeagwula could not have used their military training to harm Muslims even if they wanted to, which there is no indication that they did: Both had only recently completed basic training, and neither had been in combat. All they were doing the day they were shot was volunteering to stand outside a recruitment center to talk with potential recruits.
Alarmingly, authorities also suspect that Mr. Muhammad had additional targets in mind. They found maps to other recruiting centers, as well as to a Baptist church, a post office, Jewish organizations and other places.
"(I)n light of newly discovered information, the FBI cannot rule out additional subjects, targets, or the potential for inspired copy cats who might act out in support of the original act," read an FBI-Homeland Security intelligence assessment obtained by the AP.
Americans of all political stripes properly condemned the recent gunning down of a late-term abortionist in Kansas. But while it is for a jury to decide whether Mr. Muhammad is guilty in the Arkansas shootings, there ought to be equally broad condemnation of -- and vigilance against -- attacks by radical Muslims.
Far more Americans have been killed the past 20 years on U.S. soil by radical Muslims than by the tiny handful of extremists who attack abortionists. Our homeland security priorities ought to reflect that reality.
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