Situational Awareness May Save Your Life
Situational Awareness May Save Your Life
Risking the violation of political correctness, decades of closely and carefully studying Islam, have led me to the following observation: Islam can be likened a socio-cultural viral disease that invades any vulnerable host with its malignancy, while simultaneously devouring its own adherents.

The cause I have been promoting is an attempt to educate Americans, preaching that America must resist Islam. Islam has no place in the free world. It is a deadly political ideology, and the antithesis of everything America stands for.

Millions of "true Muslims" are ready to give their lives in the service of jihad. Suicide volunteers, for instance, in the tens of thousands have registered in the Islamic Republic of Iran to commit mass murder. These believers vie with one another for discharging their religious duty. 

I have been educating people about it for decades and I intend to stay the course to my last breath, no matter what. As you might guess, my work has earned me many Muslim enemies and my life is always at risk whenever I speak to a large crowd or travel. Nonetheless, I am loath to abandon my work by devoting to it just about all my waking hours as well as the limited personal resources I have.

My observation and threat examination has led me to a strong situational awareness. I strongly believe in the DHS mantra, “See something, say something.”

Whenever I go out nowadays, I find that I am far more aware of everything around me. It’s been a remarkable and very helpful transition, although regretful in many ways. The days when one could leave suspicion at home and go anywhere one wants to without having to be paranoid ended on 9/11.

In that regard, I have become convinced more than ever the key to survival from any terrorist attack is this: situational awareness. We need to pay very close attention to every detail around us in a public space. If we see anything—anything at all—that appears out of place, inform the authorities. Even if what we spot is nothing, they’ll be glad you let them know. While I don’t live in a constant state of paranoia, I trust it is wise and prudent to be conscientious about my surroundings because it could save my life. And yours.

Spotting a possible terror attack often has less to do with suspicious-looking people than with things they may leave behind, such as a backpack sitting by itself at a crowded venue. But I urge caution when you see anyone who is acting strangely or is inappropriately dressed for the moment at hand.

Let’s say it’s a beautiful day, 82 degrees and you see someone wearing a heavy coat with a bulge under it, get away from that person as fast as possible. He or she could be a suicide bomber.

Consider suspect anyone taking a lot of photographs and at every angle of any place where people congregate. If they are taking notes about what they are photographing, that definitely might merit your suspicion. Other potential criminals and terrorists may seem to be loitering, looking around, studying the area and asking lots of questions, some of which may be inappropriate. At a bus stop, for instance, someone may ask about the bus schedule which isn’t unusual, but if they start asking how many people get on a bus at that stop, that should set off an alarm.

I have a special warning for people who live in an apartment or secure building with locking doors front and back. A criminal could hang around and wait to get inside by slipping in behind someone before the door closes. They tend to wait for a person carrying a lot of packages, for example, offer to get the door for them, and then follow them inside. Don’t ever let anyone ‘get the door’ for you. He or she very likely isn’t doing you any favors and they want in for reasons that may cost you your life.

The biggest surprise has been how fast and quickly ISIS rose up in the global arena. The stereotypical image of the Middle-Eastern person being a terrorist has been shattered, so it appears. ISIS has gone global with its slick and professional campaign, appealing to all—white, black or Latino—who have been radicalized either by an imam or themselves. It’s now at the point where anyone of either sex could be doing what they think is worthy of martyrdom, meeting Allah face-to-face and having a harem of 72 virgins. Be aware and stay aware and don’t hesitate to call the cops if you see anything odd. Let us keep in mind that terrorists will carry out their attacks at locations that offer the best likelihood of success. 

I have asserted many times in the past that I am not against Muslims. I condemn Islamists and those who support and promote its views. In the same sense that I am not against slaves, I am against slavery and those who advocate and advance it. The very practice of Islam is tantamount to perpetuating and practicing slavery. Slavery enslaves the body, while Islam entraps the mind. Both ideals and practices are abhorrent and detrimental to the realization of our highest hopes as human beings.

In short:

Islam is definitely misrepresented. Islam is not misrepresented by its “detractors,” it is misrepresented by Islamic mercenaries; organizations and individuals generously funded by states, as well as wealthy believers who are making billions of dollars pumping and selling oil at astronomical prices. Prestigious universities in the West, always looking for handouts, are tripping over one another to establish Islamic studies programs staffed by professors who sing the praises of Islam.

“Know thy enemy,” is a perennial gem of wisdom. Knowing Islam’s intention enables us to deal with it more effectively.