I’m dismayed by the recent news that a 33-year-old American citizen went to fight for the Syrian terrorist group, ISIS, the same group that murdered American journalist James Foley. Now Douglas McCain, who was born in Chicago and lived in San Diego, is dead, and his posthumous fame provides a sick example to other disenchanted, radically minded Americans. McCain was a convert to Islam, which he called “the best thing that ever happened to me.” At some point in his life, he roomed with another convert named Troy Kastigar, who was killed in 2009 while fighting for Al Qaeda, after posting a terrorist recruitment video. This is what radical groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda want. In fact, they are actively recruiting fighters here in America, with a focus on ex-cons who have converted to Islam. My second Taskforce book, THE GUARDIAN, addresses this national security problem. All across America, young, disillusioned citizens are being fooled into thinking that Allah wants them to join the jihadist movement and strike back against their own country. True Islam preaches love and tolerance for all. Yet our government is aware of around 300 or so Westerners currently participating within ISIS. How did this number get so high? Clearly we are not addressing issues of poverty and ignorance within our own borders. We are letting young people grow up with a mindset of violence. Many are gang members. Most, if not all of them, listen to hip hop that disseminates messages of revolt and revenge. America has the largest prison population of any nation in the world. And each year, an estimated 35-40,000 prisoners are converted to Islam, making it the fastest growing religion in the United States. In jails and in hip hop music, it is radical Islam that’s being taught—the kind Islam that drives a young man from Chicago to change his name to Slave of Allah and join the jihad against all Westerners. The only way to stop this horrifying trend from continuing is to reach into our poorest neighborhoods, bringing education, preaching tolerance, and providing young people opportunity and therefore hope. Without anger and resentment, radical Islam has nothing to feed on. Starve the beast and it will grow weak and die.
Young American fought with radical extremists in Syria and died.