by Richard Para

Created on: August 25, 2007

Those of us who can recall airline travel in the days of: "Would you like steak or salmon?" Get all teary eyed as we remove our shoes before entering an electronic search monster and then are forced to watch as a complete stranger rifles through our carry-on. Understandably the gourmet meals are gone forever due to inflationary pressures and our desire for more inexpensive travel. Fine, my wife and I are perfectly content with bringing our reliable turkey and cheese with lettuce and tomato on rye on board with us.

What is not fine are the uniformed guards and inspectors, some of them armed, casting a suspitous eye toward everyone and asking, in a cold but polite manner, what are you doing with a large tube of toothpaste concealed in your carry-on bag (I didn't even know that toothpaste could blow up an airplane). Frankly I hate it, it is demeaning and insulting to ones character. And yet, there is no question that it is absolutely necessary.

Islam is now in control of a good portion of our lives and will continue to control them well into the foreseeable future. Of course the Muslim community has damaged world tourism. The danger posed by them is real, very real and they are proud of it. There was a time if one had the inclination and resources to travel they would. Now that is not enough one must have courage enough to brave the possibility that your mode of transportation will be blown up. The restaurant you may wish to dine can be blown to pieces. In some sectors the very street to choose to stroll upon could be a danger. Travel is not a pleasure it is a test of courage. Why is this so?

The tenets of Islam are imbedded in the minds of their people beginning at the earliest stage of childhood so that by the time adulthood arrives the acceptance and beliefs in the Islamic faith are rock solid. Those we tend to label as "extremists" are not extremists at all they are deeply religious people who are true to their faith. They are true to a faith that teaches and encourages them to defend the word of Allah and punish those who offend that word.

To understand the people of Islam one must read the Koran. I did and was shocked and saddened by it. I now understand why the threat exists. It is real, persistent; and, somehow, it must be addressed.

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