Weekly Terrorism Spotlight

Volume 1, Issue 1 (March 17)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Letters question jihad threat apathy

Christian Action Network supporters write letters questioning why U.S. political leaders are apathetic on jihad threat issues

A common theme among letters pouring into Christian Action Network offices is why there is such apathy among our American political leaders when it comes to homegrown jihad and other key Islamic jihad threat issues.

“Have you talked to some of out politicians?” Wilfred of Westminister, Colorado asked. “How come nothing is getting done by our government on this matter?”

Christian Action Network president Martin Mawyer answered yes, he is talking to politicians and counter-terrorism leaders, especially about doing more.

“I have met with key elected leaders in congress repeatedly, it is encouraging to see some who are aware and knowledgeable on these issues,” Mawyer said.

“Many more are not aware, that is why our documentary project is so crucial, to get the word out, and to raise the homegrown jihad issue to a higher priority level in Washington DC,” he added.

“I see apathy as a problem of too much distraction, too many agendas in our nation’s capital; it seems to only get worse, and I fear it might take a major tragedy to wake our leaders up.”

Joe Ann of Chester, South Carolina, which she notes is near York, wrote: “this situation is so alarming, and worst of all is citizen apathy; thank you for your dedication and action on these threatening, insidious camps.”

She added it is her concern that other neighbors in the York area may be unaware of the threat practically in their backyards.

Mawyer noticed she ordered pamphlets. “That’s how we’re getting the message out,” he said. “Also, take note this week and for several weeks to come my interview with counterterrorism expert Dr. Peter M. Leitner about these camps.

“The Leitner interview articles on this website go much further in depth than excerpts we will have time for in the documentary, Homegrown Jihad, the Terrorist Camps Around U.S., – print, save and share this information, that’s what it is here for, what we’re here for,” he added.

Some letters come in with a note of skepticism. “The referenced subject is something to be taken seriously…There is something troubling however,” Tina of White Plains, New York wrote.

“If these training camps are going on in America, why isn’t this in the news and the American people being told by the government or FBI…I would support your efforts to make the film, but frankly, I am uncertain about your claim.”

Mawyer responded, “I am so grateful for Tina’s courage to write this, and I am absolutely sympathetic to her concerns – I assure her and everyone, I would definitely not be doing this if I were not convinced.

“The documentary project is moving forward into editing, thanks to support that has come in, and the information in it I think will be compelling about this threat,” he added.

Mawyer said Tina’s comments caused him to remember a crucial point brought out during the investigative process of putting the documentary together.

“About the FBI, my recollection goes immediately to Susan Fenger’s comments as a Colorado investigator – her department was handed a fraud case connected to Muslims of America,” he said.

“The amazing thing is, as the FBI finished with the bombshell about these probable connections to international terrorism, the FBI men stood up and walked out – walked out – leaving it to the local investigators to deal with,” he added.

“I have to tell people again and again, we can only speculate as to why this is being handled the way it is – why some key organizations linked to international terrorism in the past have been removed from the State Department list of terrorist groups – why indeed?”

[keep watching this page for more responses to Christian Action Network supporter mail]