Just Kidding!

We all need a good laugh. Maybe that was Mohammed al Modadi's intention when he made a light-hearted joke about lighting his shoes on fire during his flight to Denver. The 27 year old Qatari "diplomat" was sneaking a smoke in the bathroom and when airline officials saw the smoke and alarms go off, he decided to make a joke about it.

That would be like Cardinal Egan making a joke about Catholic priests needing to spend more time with children.

Muslims have gotten a bad rap in this country- do doubt. And I am all-too aware of my own bias and distrust of the islamic cult...er...religion (see- another joke!). But muslims have something to prove- making jokes about blowing up planes is not great diplomacy... or very smart. Not all Italians are in the mafia; not all muslims are terrorists. But if the shoe fits.... light it. I didn't have much sympathy for Lillo Branacto when acting the part of a mafioso got him arrested.

So what is the sentence for Mr. al Modadi? Oh- it's pretty stiff. Prepare yourself: he is being sent home.

I grew up in NYC and now live in DC. My whole life has been surrounded by idiots with diplomatic license plates and diplomatic egos. It is insulting when our own laws protect those who abuse them and punish those who obey them.

But we see this all the time. Freedom of religion means don't do anything religious because that might insult someone. So hide that damn Christmas tree and put away that Crucifix. But if you are offended by Act II "My Pussy is Angry" in The Vagina Monologues.... well then you are just ignorant and intolerant.

Someday that will all make sense.

Illegals cross our border, steal American identities, rape welfare, medicare and social programs, birth bastard children who become de facto Americans and then claim they can't be deported for some family values reasons... welcome to lawlessness. When a nation's laws are used against that same nation, something is gone awry.

Obama likes this type of lawlessness- especially when it comes to his love of muslim countries. How else does one explain his hyperbolic examples of islamic contributions and historical accomplishments, his bowing to Saudi king, his constant apology for America and Americanism.

I'll tell you what is great about America- that we didn't slit the throat of the Qatari child diplomat. Had an American made such a joke overseas, I'd be curious to see if such measure would be employed. Joke about Chechnyan terrorist in Moscow and see if Putin yucks it up as tongue-in-cheek humor.

There's another issue at stake- and that is American autonomy. We will always interact and trade with world community. But we've hit a level of dependency that is uncomfortable. That is why Qatar feels no remorse. If America got uppity, Qatar would withhold oil or deny us bases for CENTCOM staging operations.

Our allies in the islamic world have the upper hand. Sometimes they are so bold as to even joke about islamic terrorism. A 27 year old from Qatar laughs at us. Something is wrong.