It takes a lot to subdue me. I am a woman who is not easily intimidated. However, recently, I was awed while sitting among some of the world's most informed and intelligent at the America's Truth Forum Symposium in Las Vegas while they spoke about the threat that we all face from Islamic terror.



It was truly an honor to me to be made an 'honoree' among speakers like Robert Spencer, Director of Jihad Watch, Dr. Wafa Sultan and former terrorist Walid Shoebat. Also speaking were: James Gilchrist (founder of the Minuteman Project); recognized authorities on terrorism Drs. Harvey Kushner and Bruce Tefft (founder of the CIA's Counter-Terrorism Center); Paul Williams; Hamid Mir, the only journalist to have met with Osama Bin-Laden; Joe Kaufman, Chair of Americans Against Hate and founder of CAIR Watch; and more.



The American Truth Forum is the result of the tireless efforts of activist Jeffery Epstein. People with his devotion, to bring to fruition such a symposium explaining the threat of radical Islamism at our front door, are few and far between. Jeff ran a flawless conference (except for his misfortune to book the event at the Sahara Hotel).



The entire two days of this amazing symposium were filled with information that, although depressing, everyone should know. Joe Kaufman spoke at length about how Hamas threatens America; and CAIR is a derivative of Hamas. "That being the case," according to Kaufman, "the United States Justice Department should put CAIR on the same list as a terrorist organization."



I personally have been a victim of this particular group. It happened shortly after I wrote a column entitled, "How Has Islam Enriched Your Life." Although this article was widely published in various papers, I was singled out by Google when it appeared in the New Media Journal. Google refused to list Frank Salvato's paper because they now considered me a 'hate speech writer.' Frank, incidentally, was a co-supporter of the American Truth Forum event.



There were so many speakers, and each with profound thoughts, that I do not want to dwell on any one topic. The problems are immense. The question that we have to answer is: How do we handle it? Symposiums such as that of the America's Truth Forum do so much to educate us to understand the minds and needs of Muslims, and to convey that, no matter what, Islam and democracy are not compatible. When we think of democracy, we think of freedom of speech, the ability to write and speak about whatever it is that bothers us. Our list of "What Freedom Means to Us" is huge. When a typical Muslim thinks of "democracy," he can sum it up in one sentence: I won't be a slave. Simple?



Poverty is not a reason for this state of affairs. Land has nothing to do with it, either. Many countries are poor; their people just don't go out and cut off heads. It is our business to connect the dots, and meetings like this clarify what is wrong and what needs to be done about it.



I found it appalling that Jeff Epstein worked around the clock for months to bring the caliber of speakers to us that he did. And, yet, on the final count, he struggled to break even. Where were the big spenders, who rush to accept plaques?



People should be clamoring to assist with the dissemination of this vital information. Those fortunate enough to be able to contribute financially should be standing in line to help pay for such an educational symposium. We, as Americans, Jews and all human beings lucky enough to live in our free society, have much to lose by keeping our heads in the sand and refusing to recognize the danger we are all in.



What will it take to allow everyone to clearly see the handwriting on the wall? And don't say that we haven't been given fair warning. The Islamo-fascist terrorists have stated very plainly what it is that they desire: to eradicate Western Civilization.



It's time to wake up and smell the humus.