I am outraged and profoundly saddened by the plot conceived by alleged terrorists Glendon Scott Crawford and Eric J. Feight to eradicate Muslims in our area with X-ray radiation.
The Islamic Center of the Capital District in Schenectady was one of the targets. As an independent college counselor in the Capital Region for 19 years, I have presented numerous programs on college admissions topics at 20 venues in the area. Without a doubt, the warmest, most gracious reception I have ever received was at the Islamic Center. On two occasions, teenagers and adults alike were extraordinarily receptive, asked insightful questions, and did everything possible to make me feel welcome.
Obviously, there are violent, extremist Muslims who pose a serious threat to humankind, but such qualities exist in members of virtually every sect of people on this planet as well as in loners isolated from any community.
I commend Congregation Gates of Heaven, a Jewish temple contacted by the suspects, for reporting them to the police.
If being an American means demonizing, casting suspicions upon, and perhaps even terrorizing an entire ethnic group, I'm proud to fail the test.
Jill Rifkin
Delmar