The Islamist Threat in Our Backyard

I thought I'd put up a quick post citing some friendly bloggers highlighting in their posts the homegrown threat of Islamism in the United States:

Over at the Desert Grows Green, the Vegas Art Guy has a post up indicating that Hezbollah has begun building a base in Latin America: "And We Need to Secure the Border Why?" He's citing an MSNBC article, which is disturbing: "Hezbollah Builds Western Base." The article notes:

The Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia has taken root in South America, fostering a well-financed force of Islamist radicals boiling with hatred for the United States and ready to die to prove it, according to militia members, U.S. officials and police agencies across the continent.

That's not good.

Also, over at Saber Point, Stogie has a troubling post on an Islamic stronghold in upstate New York: "Radical Muslim Paramilitary Compound Flourishes in Upper New York State." He links to this article, "Springtime in Islamberg," a chilling reference, if you know your Nazi history. Check it out -- this article is creepy:

Situated within a dense forest at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains on the outskirts of Hancock, New York, Islamberg is not an ideal place for a summer vacation unless, of course, you are an exponent of the Jihad or a fan of Osama bin Laden.

The 70 acre complex is surrounded with "No trespassing" signs; the rocky terrain is infested with rattlesnakes; and the woods are home to black bears, coyotes, wolves, and a few bobcats....

Islamberg is not as benign as a Buddhist monastery or a Carmelite convent. Nearly every weekend, neighbors hear sounds of gunfire. Some, including a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, have heard the bang of small explosives. None of the neighbors wished to be identified for fear of "retaliation." "We don't even dare to slow down when we drive by," one resident said. "They own the mountain and they know it and there is nothing we can do about it but move, and we can't even do that. Who wants to buy a property near that?"

Residents of the compound regularly train in Pakistan, and there's a network of similar training sites (hamaats) around the country, including California.

Note that Stogie's blog is one of my favorite reads. He's got incisive insight and expertise on Islam, and I urge readers to head over there regularly to have a look.

Finally, how can we ever leave off Jenn of the Jungle, over at her popular blog Screw Politically Correct B.S. She had a recent post up entitled: "The Terrorist Next Door." Apparently, a couple of Islamist brothers had been plotting a 9/11-style attack from their hold-up in New Jersey, not to mention their Islamist compound up in Pennsylvania's Pocano Mountains. Here's the link: "Fort Dix Terror Suspects Gave Few Clues About Alleged Plot."

For some policy-related reading, check out, "Is There Still a Terrorist Threat? The Myth of the Omnipresent Enemy," by John Mueller, a liberal who discounts the nature of Al Qaeda's danger to U.S. Interests.

But also see, Robert Leiken's "Europe's Angry Muslim's." Leiken notes that the spread of Islam in Europe threatens the United States as well -- "Coming to America," anyone?