A letter from Captain John
Junior
This is the same question that many of us have been asking for the past
several years...this well, spoken man says what is on his heart
beautifully...read, absorb and pass on...it's time to get answers from
those who claim their terrorist members do not represent them...why are
their leaders not LOUDLY AND FIERCELY AND CONTINUOUSLY condemning their
visible murderous brethren. By American Airlines Pilot - Captain John
Maniscalco
"I've been trying to say this since 9-11 but you worry me. I wish you
didn't. I wish when I walked down the streets of this country that I
love, that your color and culture still blended with the beautiful
human landscape we enjoy in this country. But you don't blend in
anymore. I notice you, and it worries me. I notice you because I can't
help it anymore. People from your homelands, professing to be Muslims,
have been attacking and killing my fellow citizens and our friends for
more than 20 years now. I don't fully understand their grievances and
hate but I know that nothing can justify the inhumanity of their
attacks.
On September 11, nineteen ARAB-MUSLIMS hijacked four jetliners in my
country. They cut the throats of women in front of children and
brutally stabbed to death others. They took control of those planes and
crashed them into buildings killing thousands of proud fathers, loving
sons, wise grandparents, elegant daughters, best friends, favorite
coaches, fearless public servants, and children's mothers. The
Palestinians Celebrated, The Iraqis were overjoyed as was most of the
Arab world.
So I notice you now. I don't want to be worried. I don't want to be
consumed by the same rage and hate and prejudice that has destroyed the
soul of these terrorists. But I need your help. As a rational American,
trying to protect my country and family in an irrational and unsafe
world, I must know how to tell the difference between you, and the
Arab/Muslim terrorist.
How do I differentiate between the true Arab/Muslim-Americans and the
Arab/Muslims in our communities who are attending our schools, enjoying
our parks, and living in OUR communities under the protection of OUR
constitution, while they plot the next attack that will slaughter these
same good neighbors and children? The events of September 11th changed
the answer. It is not my responsibility to determine which of you
embraces our great country, with ALL of its religions, with ALL of its
different citizens, with all of its faults. It is time for every
Arab/Muslim in this country to determine it for me.