New Epidemic? Sudden Jihad Syndrome

Perhaps more proof that diversity education or even plain Western education does not work, at least when those being educated find "religion":

In brief, Taheri-azar represents the ultimate Islamist nightmare: a seemingly well-adjusted Muslim whose religion inspires him, out of the blue, to murder non-Muslims. Taheri-azar acknowledged planning his jihad for over two years, or during his university sojourn. It’s not hard to imagine how his ideas developed, given the coherence of Islamist ideology, its immense reach (including a Muslim Student Association at UNC), and its resonance among many Muslims.

Were Taheri-azar unique in his surreptitious adoption of radical Islam, one could ignore his case, but he fits into a widespread pattern of Muslims who lead quiet lives before turning to terrorism. Their number includes the 9/11 hijackers, the London transport bombers, and Maher Hawash, the Intel engineer arrested before he could join the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Like the Taliban at Yale, attendance at or completion of a degree from one of America's esteemed institutions of higher learning does not necessarily lend itself to ameliorating the radical tendencies of those who are inclined to violence (not just Islamo-fascists but militant leftists as well). They simply become highly educated terrorists, like those highly educated and cultured members of the Communist and Nazi parties. Education and "diversity" do not equate with tolerance automatically. For bigots and terrorists it simply provides more enlightened rationalizations for their actions--for example an increased knowledge of history may foment a heightened sense of victimhood as historical setbacks for the individual's group are turned into perceived attacks on that individual. This is not to say that education actually enhances the individual's violent leanings, or attempts to broaden one's mind exacerbates criminal tendencies. Simply stated, education and support (government handouts) for these individuals can not stem the individual's entrapment in a growing sense of rage at real or perceived injustices. Assimilation may only be superficial, as personal commitments to an ideology or religion trump any accomodations made by the host country (in the case of immigrants).

Michelle Malkin Sudden Jihad Syndrome