Amazing article. I've been reading a book called "Public Enemies" (on which the latest movie starring Johnny Depp was based on) & I think I've found the similarities between the Islam extremists & notorious bank robbers in the 1930s. They were constantly ostracised by society, or couldn't find a place to fit in. Pre-conceived notions from others around them caused them to feel that they needed to belong to a group. Only then did they become open to extremist ideas & the idea of a criminal life (in "Public Enemies"). Society plays a part as well.

I have no tolerance for religious fanaticism of any kind. It always seems to end up in the same place--hatred and blind, senseless murder. What is so chilling about Islamic fanaticism is that it is consciously about murdering as many "non-believers" as possible and uses violence and terror as a means of coercion. 9/11 changed me. I saw what these fanatics were capable of, and how much popular support they have in the Islamic world (don't kid yourself, a lot more than a small minority of Muslims admire the stand these people have taken against the West, its freedoms and institutions, especially if no Muslims are killed in the acts of terrorism). Why aren't there more Muslims speaking out against terrorism and Islamic fanaticism? If 90% of Muslims don't support it, why aren't we hearing their voices speaking out everywhere, everyday? The silent majority has quite a lot to answer for in the Islamic Community worldwide.