Alright, first, they asked people in four prominent Muslim countries: "Do you approve of attacks on US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan?"  Well, if you were thinking about a vacation to the pyramids, it's time to make other plans because 91% of Egyptians say yes.

I might say that you should just head to Indonesia instead since "only" 19% of them approve attacks on our troops, but unfortunately a majority of Indonesians refuse to say that Islam, quote "certainly opposes" attacks on civilians.  So, our troops might be safer there, but you're definitely not.

Next -- and they wrote this like it's a good thing, "more than 75 percent of those surveyed in the four countries...say attacks on civilians is un-Islamic."  Well, I mean, I'm not Matt Damon in "good will hunting" or anything, but I am a thinker. Doesn't that leave 25% who say that attacking civilians IS in accordance with Islam?

But there is some good news (kind of)....majorities in three of the four countries said that they oppose al-Qaeda's attacks on America.  I know, I know, that still leave one country that doesn't oppose their attacks, but the Real Story is that this is a classic example of how polls can be unbelievably misleading.

If you dig deeper, you find that two thirds of those polled in Pakistan -- which is the mystery country that supposedly supports al-Qaeda -- refused to answer the question.  Why?  I believe it's because they're scared.  Remember, this isn't exactly Pew Research calling you at night...these polls are done by people coming to your home, seeing what you look like, seeing what your family looks like.  But things are so upside down there that, for all you know, the pollster could be IN al-Qaeda.
 
Think about it like the mob.  Let's say you live in Sicily and some Sicilian guy you've never seen before knocks on your door and asks if you denounce the mob's use of violence...what are you going to say?  Me?  I think I'll pass on that question, thank you.

It's the same thing with peace-loving, moderate Muslims.  What America needs to understand is that they are just as scared of the radicals as we are because they know that if they're real opinions are ever known; if they stand up for the religion they love against the ruthless, bloodthirsty monsters who have perverted it, then their only reward may be a starring role in the next Internet beheading video.  Unfortunately, as many Muslims have learned, sometimes -- the smartest short-term answer to give is no answer at all.

Research Articles

• World Public Opinion Poll
   
• Poll: Muslims show only partial support for Al Qaeda's agenda

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