Today's The Big Day

Congressman Peter King of New York, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, convenes "the first in a series of hearings on radicalization in the American Muslim community. The hearing is entitled: “The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community's Response.”"

Spokane is in the news again and breathless local reporters repeat themselves repeatedly as they report "live on the scene" from the bench at the corner of Washington and Main where the backpack bomb was placed. But it's nothing Congressman King is interested in. This alleged bomber is not a radicalized Muslim but yet another suspected white supremacist.

Let's set that aside for a moment and consider what Congressman King wants to emphasize with his committee's hearings, that radical Muslims are the greatest threat and American Muslims need to do more to combat them. He says there are too many mosques in America and he believes most of them have been overrun by extremists.

Lumping all Muslims together as extremists makes as much sense as lumping Spokane's white population with it's latest bombing suspect. Granted, that wouldn't happen anyway...well...because they're white. However, if you want to get off on the wrong foot with someone, just refer to them as bearing some sort of association with a criminal with whom they share a religion, skin color, etc.

In the meantime, let's hope these so-called hearings don't encourage anyone to act out against American Muslims or their mosques. That would be extreme.