Although I suppose can understand that trying to track down possible terrorists might be resented by members of the Religion of Blow-The-Infidels-To-Pieces.

Now the FBI's release of photographs of two men of unknown origin, who the agency says were observed acting suspiciously aboard as many as six different Washington ferry routes in recent weeks, is creating new worries in the community.

Muslim- and Arab-American leaders are upset that the FBI didn't consult them — as it has done in other instances — before releasing the photos on the Internet and to news organizations. They worry that the action may fracture the relationship the agency and the community have carefully built.

The FBI has stressed that the release of the photos is a rare move, taken only after it had exhausted other efforts to identify the men. The agency also has said the men's actions could be innocuous, but it needs to question them.

The photos were snapped by a ferry captain last month after crew members alerted him to suspicious activity. The men seemed inordinately interested in the operation of the vessel, took photographs of the interiors of the boats and went into areas tourists and commuters don't normally go, the FBI has said. The agency has received many tips but has not yet found the men.

Dozens of Muslims and Arabs have complained to community leaders about the photographs. The fallout has led to a meeting planned today between Muslim- and Arab-American community leaders and law-enforcement officials.

"We need to get some type of apology from them and figure out how to get back to where we were," said Rita Zawaideh, head of the Arab-American Community Coalition.

Anyone who objects to the release of the photos is more than welcome to get back where they or their ancestors belongs, as far as I'm concerned.

After all, I'm still pretty resentful about this.

And this.

This, too.

And even this.

So I suggest that you folks get over your resentment as long as we find ourselves at war with jihadi swine acting in the name of Islam. I urge you to think carefully -- are you with us, or are you with the terrorists? I know what your whining response to the release of the photos indicates to me.

OPEN TRACKBACKING AT Outside the Beltway, Perri Nelson's Website, Rosemary's Thoughts, The Random Yak, DeMediacratic Nation, Big Dog's Weblog, Right Truth, Leaning Straight Up, Conservative Cat, Conservative Thoughts, Diary of the Mad Pigeon, Allie Is Wired, Faultline USA, The World According to Carl, Pirate's Cove, The Pink Flamingo, High Desert Wanderer, Right Voices, The Yankee Sailor, and Gone Hollywood, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Posted by: Greg at 02:52 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 453 words, total size 5 kb.