Mindset of protesters sets up values dilemma

After the 9/11 twin towers attack, I felt it was unjust to blame all Muslims for the hatred of a few Islamic terrorists. When President Donald Trump banned Muslim immigrants in 2017, I thought it was stupid, considering contributions they had and could, make to our culture. And I have had many concerns over the years with Israel's treatment of Palestinians on the West Bank and Netanyahu's push toward an authoritarian government. Although I believe Israel had every right to respond to the Oct. 7 assault and the atrocities committed by Hamas, I have also had reservations about Israel's conduct of the war.

So, you can understand my bewilderment and the questioning of my own judgment, when I heard about the anti-Israel, anti-American rally held recently in Dearborn, Michigan. A Muslim activist, Tarek Bazzi, whom I had never heard of, led the rally where shouts of “death to America” and “death to Israel” were heard.

Really? “Death to America?” As I listened to video of the rally and did some reading pertaining to Bazzi and his followers, which seems to be most of the Muslim population of Dearborn, I felt like I was in some parallel universe. No mention of Oct. 7 by Bazzi, but lots of anti-America, anti-Biden, anti-government, eradication of Israel, rhetoric.

He advocates for the elimination of the American system of government, a system based on a Constitution that gives him the freedom of speech to spew his hatred.

His call to action mirrors that of Iranian leaders, and I'm thinking he needs to go live in Iran and live under their system of government for a while. For a long, long while.

When he claimed, “Genocide Joe must go,” I wanted to say, “be careful what you wish for.” Donald Trump would be an improvement? The former President and Netanyahu are best buds and have been for years.

As for my values dilemma, I wish someone could explain the mindset of the American Muslim population, because I am currently in a quandary.

Tom Dillivan

Schaumburg