American shock and horror at faceless terrorist acts has recently turned into bigoted acts of hatred and violence by some Americans toward other Americans.

The growing anger at the scope of devastation in New York has brought with it several repulsive acts of retribution, hatred and murder.

Already there are nation-wide reports of so-called “patriotic” Americans dragging people they assume are Middle Eastern out of their cabs and beating them in the streets like dogs.

Several people of the faith of Islam have been pulled out of their homes and businesses and been punished for the sins of their religion.

If these words seem harsh, then just for a few moments consider the even harsher reality they mock.

The central Mosque in downtown LA has had windows shattered and bullets shot through the front door.

Not all of these victimized people turned out to be Muslims. Some were Egyptian, some were Indian, but one dead foreigner is as good as another one, right?

Isn’t it great to be an American?

With no focus for their rage, a handful of “patriotic” Americans have turned to the next best targets for their outrage and hate.

They have attacked and killed fellow citizens, simply because those people share a faith with a group of fanatics who warped the teachings of their own religion.

These public-spirited citizens have decided anybody with dark skin or a swarthy appearance is automatically an enemy of the United States.

How awful that Americans are capable of thinking in such demented and narrow-minded, stereotypical ways.

This is the land of tolerance and peace, where people worship their God in peace without fear of persecution or retribution.

To say that all Muslims are terrorists is as ignorant a statement as it is humanly possible to make.

The faith of Mohamed teaches humility, tolerance and charity, as does the faith of Christ. The prophet Mohamed actually recognized Jesus Christ as a fellow prophet and messenger of God.

It is time we as American start living up to the high ideals we are so proud of.

In this time of sorrow, we must start showing the goodwill and camaraderie we hold in such abundance.

Dr. Martin Luther King warned us to judge man by the content of their character and not by the color of their skins.

The Bible teaches us “…he who is without sin, let him cast the first stone.”

Our morality and open-mindedness set us apart as Americans. Let us remember what it truly means to be Americans.