West: Thumbs up for Myrick

In "Myrick Aces, D.C. Flunks 'Jihadism 101,'" the ever-perceptive Diana West discusses Representative Sue Myrick's anti-jihad plan:

Reading U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick's "Wake Up America" agenda -- a 10-point plan targeting potential jihadist infiltration into this country's military, security, educational and financial institutions -- triggers mixed emotions. First, relief. Finally, there is an elected official who understands the urgency of these festering national security threats. Virtually every other elected U.S. official, up to and including the president (and presidential candidates) has shockingly ignored these same threats. Which leads to a flash of panic: How could our leaders have allowed so many years go by without taking action? Then comes, for me at least, a sense of resolve to help Myrick accomplish her goals by trying to boost a much-needed national conversation about the jihadist threat at home.

The North Carolina Republican's plan warms up with two calls for investigations into those U.S. chaplains, in both the US military and the prison system, who were approved by Abdurahman Alamoudi, the convicted terrorist and Muslim Brotherhood (MB) member now serving 23 years in prison.

(Normal person's reaction: What do you mean an MB member later convicted of terrorism chose our Muslim military and prison chaplains? Tell me more. Government reaction: Zzzzz.)

In the early 1990s, back when he was something of a Washington power broker, Alamoudi helped set up the Pentagon's Muslim chaplain corps in conjunction with the Institute of Islamic and Arabic Sciences in America, a Saudi-funded operation that specializes in what you might call Jihadism 101. (Way to be awake, Pentagon.)

Alamoudi went to prison back in 2004, but no one since, in the military or the prisons, seems to have taken a second look at what his prodigies might be preaching (terrorism? treason? whatever?). Myrick plans to check into it herself.

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Ambitious? You bet. Myrick deserves an "A" for effort for filling the leadership vacuum left by Republicans and Democrats alike regarding these and other home-front threats. Whether she can accomplish her goals, she will certainly help educate Americans on gravely important issues most of our politicians are too timid to talk about.

And not just politicians. Most liberal and conservative media types are afraid also. Both Myrick and West deserve our gratitude.