Why Trump’s no-Muslim plan is a non-starter

How two men who share a name, were raised in the same house, went to the same school and were taught the same values could end up so different is beyond me.

It is also beyond Donald Trump’s understanding. And it’s just one of the reasons why his Muslims-no-entrée idea is flawed. But The Donald’s plan is also dangerous because it threatens America’s ability to defeat Islamic terrorism. It’s bad for the security of the United States.

First, why Trump’s plan can’t work:

Syed Raheel Farook dated a non-Muslim girl in high school, enlisted in the Navy to fight the War on Terror (where he received two medals), reportedly enjoyed adult beverages and is, by all accounts, a patriot.

His younger brother, Syed Rizwan Farook, died in a hail of bullets along with his wife after they killed 14 of Rizwan’s co-workers in the largest terrorist attack on American soil since Sept. 11, 2001.

I’m not going to get into a deep pop-psychology discussion as to why I think these two brothers took separate paths. That’s because the only person who fully understands why is dead. Only he knew what was in his heart — and why hate grew inside of it.

Only he can answer the lingering questions.

Donald Trump can’t answer these questions any better than I can. And that’s why his plan “calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States,” won’t work.

What if there is a wave of sudden (and temporary) mass conversions to Christianity by Muslims hoping to gain access to the Land of the Free? What if scores of Sunnis declare that Judaism is a great way of life? Swarms of Shia suddenly see the light of Buddha?

If we can’t distinguish between two Muslim brothers’ hearts, how can we claim to know what religion (and ideology) someone actually subscribes too?

We can’t, and that’s why we need to rely on people’s actions, as opposed to their words (and thoughts). It is far better to know if someone has travelled to a country where known terror groups are operating. Who they associated with, and WHICH mosques they attended as opposed to whether they attend a mosque.

More importantly, we can never hope to defeat Islamic terrorism if we rely solely on Christians, Jews and members of other non-Muslim faiths to do so. Lutherans won’t see, up close, who is being radicalized. Mormons won’t know who seems to be drawn to the dark side of Islam.

Just as it has taken the cooperation of Muslim countries to help shrink al-Qaida’s influence and ability to kill Westerners, it takes individual Muslims to help us combat the lone wolves who think they are acting on behalf of ISIS.

Related

Dutch Grand Prix sees a potential path back to F1 amid Middle East uncertaintySuspect in death of Tucson police recruit located, Alex Barnett remains at largeBuc-ee’s chain draws outcry in Ohio for launching fight over a mini mart’s beaver logoOfficials warn wildland firefighters about the risks of using a supplement for smoke exposure28-year-old Surprise man faces sexual misconduct charges following investigationUnion for Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians authorizes first strike in ensemble’s 145-year history