2008 Woodie Awards
Americans must be the eyes and ears of homeland security
Lawrence J. Haas
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: Opinion
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We learn that Western-based terrorists almost invariably move through a four-step process of radicalization _ from identifying with and adopting jihadist ideology to designating themselves as holy warriors who will undertake terrorist activity to support the jihadist cause.
That means we should attack the communications infrastructure that supports this process. We should pressure Internet Service Providers to shut down the terrorism-promoting Web sites that they host, and we should pressure Saudi Arabia and other nations to stop funding radical madrassas with radical messages in the United States and elsewhere.
We learn that U.S. Muslims are "more resistant" to radical ideology than Europe's Muslims "but not immune," as U.S. economic opportunities compete with one's religious roots and identity.
That means that, as Americans, we should eschew the reflexive criticism to which we often subject our society and understand that, in the battle for hearts and minds, we can be our nation's best ambassadors.
Most of all, what we learn is that, as Americans, we all have a role to play in protecting ourselves from homegrown terrorism. We cannot subcontract the task to law enforcement.
We must open our eyes and ears a bit wider, and we must become a bit more willing to pass along what we see and hear. The NYPD has outlined for us the four-step process of radicalization. It's our job to speak up when we see any evidence of the process taking place.
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ABOUT THE WRITER
Lawrence J. Haas is visiting senior fellow at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute; a commentator on "MarketPlace," a business radio show; and a senior adviser to Manning Selvage & Lee, a public relations firm. Readers may write to him at Georgetown University, GPPI, 3520 Prospect St. NW, 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20007; e-mail: Larry@larryhaasonline.com; Web site: www.larryhaasonline.com.
That means we should attack the communications infrastructure that supports this process. We should pressure Internet Service Providers to shut down the terrorism-promoting Web sites that they host, and we should pressure Saudi Arabia and other nations to stop funding radical madrassas with radical messages in the United States and elsewhere.
We learn that U.S. Muslims are "more resistant" to radical ideology than Europe's Muslims "but not immune," as U.S. economic opportunities compete with one's religious roots and identity.
That means that, as Americans, we should eschew the reflexive criticism to which we often subject our society and understand that, in the battle for hearts and minds, we can be our nation's best ambassadors.
Most of all, what we learn is that, as Americans, we all have a role to play in protecting ourselves from homegrown terrorism. We cannot subcontract the task to law enforcement.
We must open our eyes and ears a bit wider, and we must become a bit more willing to pass along what we see and hear. The NYPD has outlined for us the four-step process of radicalization. It's our job to speak up when we see any evidence of the process taking place.
___
ABOUT THE WRITER
Lawrence J. Haas is visiting senior fellow at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute; a commentator on "MarketPlace," a business radio show; and a senior adviser to Manning Selvage & Lee, a public relations firm. Readers may write to him at Georgetown University, GPPI, 3520 Prospect St. NW, 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20007; e-mail: Larry@larryhaasonline.com; Web site: www.larryhaasonline.com.
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