While in Indonesia and Singapore 2000-2008, I was stunned by how counterproductive American Muslim-bashing was--as in, OBL was winning--and I encouraged my friends and relatives who do not travel: if you want mainstream Islam to win the debate with the radicals, the most productive thing you can do might be to speak out against the radical Christian nationalists in our midst. I was hooted and howled at: "what radicals in our midst?" "their radicals kill innocent civilians, ours just talk." Maybe now it will make some sense, even if no tangible action results.

"Given how prominent Americans where in shaping his deadly ideology, it would be nice if we took some responsibility by engaging in even a modicum of self-reflection about our own toxic blends of bigotry, nostalgia and militarism.

But I wouldn't hold my breath."

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/08/20118111750916767.html