Muslims feel sting of initial blame (Norway)

[jpak]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-norway-blame-20110724,0,5844311.story

In the immediate wake of the bombing and mass shooting in Norway that left at least 92 people dead Friday, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg declared that it was too early to say whether terrorism was involved.

Some interpreted the statement to mean it was unclear whether Muslim extremists were behind the attack.

Right-wing websites quickly pointed the finger at "jihadis," and Pamela Geller, publisher of the website Atlas Shrugs and executive director of Stop Islamization of America, wrote on her site: "You can ignore jihad, but you cannot avoid the consequences of ignoring jihad."

Counter-terrorism experts soon weighed in, implicating Al Qaeda.

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[Tarheel_Dem]

1. And the media played it's part in spreading suspicion. I was appalled listening to NPR yesterday.

The media has some responsbility not to run off half-cocked, in order to be the first to get out a headline. :thumbsdown:

[Supersedeas]

8. a race to the xenophobic top of the heap....and NPR is right in the mix

[givemebackmycountry]

2. And they were ALL wrong. But still, they refuse to admit it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1552501&mesg_id=1552662

I encountered my own version of this on Friday afternoon, hours after the attack.

[KamaAina]

3. Browse through any DU thread from right after it happened.

You'd think Pamela Geller was lurking, fer cryin' out loud. :eyes:

[jpak]

5. Pam Geller = Bigot #1

yup

[riderinthestorm]

4. An Islamic jihad group did claim responsibility initially. That went unchallenged for many hours

I feel badly that the Islamic community is a target but the facts remain that for several hours after the initial assault, an Islamic jihad group DID claim responsibility.

From the NYTimes:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1548140

[AsahinaKimi]

6. It makes you wonder... if

Every time there is a bombing or an explosion one of these groups are ready to jump up and say "YES WE DID IT!" even though they didn't. That kind of misinformation has consequences too, I would think.

[Posteritatis]

9. That actually happens with most attacks like these

The London bombings, for example, had a flurry of groups trying to claim credit.

[snagglepuss]

7. When an Islamist cleric living in Norway threatened revenge because

Norway is seeking to deport him for terrorist threats there was every reason in the world to assume ISlamists were behind this. Why after Theo Van Gogh, Madrid, London, the cartoon debabcle etc would Muslims be surprised that they were suspected?

[sudopod]

10. What's neat is how they all get to be guilty for the behavior of a few.

Maybe they shouldn't have all voted to be led by Osama, huh?

[snagglepuss]

11. No different than when Iranians have chanted death to America. nt

[sudopod]

12. ...

not sure if serious...

[LadyLeigh]

13. Shows the value of "terrorism experts". nt