Heavy Monday

So, I'm back. Thanks to Callie (C-Double!) for covering me. I hope she had fun...she did have fun, didn't she? Were you all nice to her? I'm glad she was here to do the pampered pooch segment because I would have had a hard time keeping my eyes from rolling out of my head. I like dogs too (and cats for that matter), but c'mon...doggie outfits? Give me a break.

A hard screeching turn of the tires to today's topics. It was a heavy show, no question about it. And, I would be interested in knowing whether you thought maybe it was too "harsh of a meal," as one of our execs here has been known to say -- getting the pacing right, the "mix" right. It's an ongoing challenge for a new program.

I really do find your insights helpful, so if you feel inclined to tell US more, please do...

The first topic, homegrown terrorism. I appreciate that our guests took on this difficult subject. The conversation was about a NYPD report, released last week, describing how and why someone might want to turn on this country, especially someone with no obvious ties to terror groups. While the report clearly states there is no one specific "profile," it raises hackles among some Arab, Muslim and civil rights activists because they think, regardless of what is "stated," that it will encourage law enforcement to stereotype.

This goes to the heart of a difficult issue in a free society. Clearly, Americans have the right to be concerned about those who would do them harm. It's also clear that there is a worldwide effort on the part of terrorist groups to recruit members who would carry out acts of terror against governments perceived as hostile to Islam, or to a brand of Islam. It has taken on a cycle of self-perpetuation. And clearly, Muslim Americans have a right to practice their religion, to be free from unwarranted suspicion, to be as observant as they choose to be without being subjected to hostility.

How to reconcile these equally important objectives? Our guests did not answer this question, but they did raise the importance of discussing them. I'd hope to continue that discussion with both of them, and others...

What are your thoughts? There are, quite obviously, sensitive considerations.

Sorry that the NYPD declined to make anyone available to discuss the report. Not quite sure why. But I do think Brian Michael Jenkins, a well-known terrorism expert who wrote a contributing piece on the subject, was helpful...as was Dr. Mohammed Nimer, of CAIR.

Then on to the discussions of food aid and then domestic abuse in the black community...

Michel Martin

6:20 PM ET | 08-20-2007 | permalink

comments | | e-mail

6:20 PM ET | 08-20-2007 | permalink