Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

The Muslim Brotherhood

Part 2

So, the question was this: Where else is the supposed non-violent Muslim Brotherhood active in helping Islamic jihad and Hamas? Everywhere in the world.

The only difference between the nonviolent Muslim Brotherhood versus al-Qaeda, Hamas and Islamic jihad is that the three practice violence to oppose us while the other preaches the Dao of Mohammed and evangelism to promote the overthrow of our society from within and nurtured the three secretly. All have one aim: the takeover of our society, to replace the Bill of Rights and the Constitution with the Koran and Sharia law, and that we be governed by imams.

When looking out for potential enemies, we are used to searching for military groups who oppose us (al-Qaeda), or political organizations that spout anti-democratic rhetoric (Cold War communism), or people who steal our secrets (commercial and military).

In the 1930s we missed the evil of Nazism precisely because they appeared to be focused on economic development and national democratic growth. The real signs were all there; read Hitler’s “Mein Kampf,� written in 1925.

How did we miss the anti-semitism and greed to create a greater German world? Simple. We could not then believe that the power of rhetoric, just words, would seed society toward such evil. Surely that was unthinkable. At the time our observation techniques had not advanced to encompass radio and propaganda — a new world the Nazis had already professionally embraced.

Similarly, we are now myopic to the Islamic power of belief and indoctrination to promote death and destruction. Surely that is unthinkable; the Middle Ages are long past.

But we have only to look to some of the religious groups this nation has spawned (think Jonestown) to know the power some humans have over others, power that goes way beyond reason. Most Americans simply cannot fathom how someone can blow themselves and innocent people to smithereens, so we try and rationalize it with jokes about virgins in heaven.

Professionally applied belief systems are the most powerful weapons in the hands of evil humans. And indoctrinated humans can be the most misguided, capable enemies imaginable.

No good German could ever have committed the atrocities of the concentration camps, no good Rwandan could ever be capable of such barbarity with machetes, no good Jew could ever undertake the Massacre of the Innocents (as did Herod), no good Christian could have perpetrated the Spanish Inquisition and certainly no good American could ever be guilty of the My Lai Massacre … could they?

When pushed, or indoctrinated, humans are undoubtedly the most dangerous animals. We need to stop looking for traditional infrastructure within enemies’ organizations — especially where there is no need of such corporate organization within the Muslim Brotherhood or Hamas or Islamic jihad.

We are in the midst of a very real war; a jihad is being undertaken globally against us by extremist, powerful, misguided Muslims. We must start looking at the motives, plans, needs and beliefs of those individuals who are, already, opposed to everything we stand for and enjoy.

Not to do so, as we once erred in 1935, is to begin to fail in the protection of the Constitution and the way of life of all free peoples. And, no doubt, could lead to a much greater conflict in the decades to come.

Peter Riva, formerly of Amenia Union, lives in New Mexico.

Latest News

Dona Lee Alexander

Dona Lee Alexander

SALISBURY — It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dona Lee (Chilcoat) Alexander, our beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, on July 9, 2026.

Born on Dec. 20, 1955, in Sharon, Connecticut, Dona lived a life filled with love, kindness, and an unwavering dedication to helping others.

Keep ReadingShow less

Louise R. Black

Louise R. Black

MILLERTON — Louise R. Black, 86, born July 16, 1939, in Queens, New York, died on July 15, 2026, with her partner of 26 years, Mary Howard, by her side. She is also survived by her nephews David Black and Jason Black, and his wife, Kerri; and niece Tiffany Black and her husband, Shlomo Toledano.

After graduating from the University of North Carolina Women’s College and earning two master’s degrees, Louise taught physical education for 35 years at Scarsdale (NY) High School, chairing the department and serving as the first woman Athletic Director. An accomplished fencer, tennis player, and swimmer, Louise’s enduring fondness for sports included a love of the Brooklyn Dodgers, though she never quite recovered from their move to the West Coast.

Keep ReadingShow less

Jane Lindsay

Jane Lindsay

NORTH CANAAN — Jane Lindsay passed away suddenly on July 11, 2026, at Danbury Hospital. She was the longtime partner of Dennis Smalley.

Jane was born on Jan. 14, 1953, the daughter of Sally Hart and the late Raymond Hart.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Paul Chester Rooney Jr.

Paul Chester Rooney Jr.

SHARON­ — Paul Chester Rooney Jr. of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and Sharon, Connecticut died peacefully in Ft. Lauderdale on June 13 with family by his side. Born to Mary Katherine Brennan and Paul Rooney on Oct. 23, 1943, in Evanston, Illinois, he grew up in the US and London.

Paul graduated from The Oratory School, Reading, England, and Harvard College and Law School. After four years in the Navy, he was honorably discharged as full lieutenant in 1973. He built a 25-year career at global law firm White and Case in Manhattan, becoming a partner and corporate tax department head; he was known internationally for his legal acumen and creativity. He led an active social life in Manhattan, making life-long friends who enjoyed his sharp wit and repartee. Out of the office, he enjoyed playing squash at the Union League and University Clubs, and the city’s cultural offerings. A true patriot, Paul was honored to serve, until his death, on the Advisory Board of the Atlantic Legal Foundation, whose advocacy for individual liberty, free enterprise, property rights, sound science, and effective education aligned with his values. Upon retiring in 1998, the firm’s managing partner described his essence: “Spending time with Paul is like an Outward Bound adventure--physically and mentally demanding, and ultimately very gratifying.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Bed Race returns to North Canaan Saturday night, still time to register

The Royal Flush won the bed race in 2025.

John Coston

NORTH CANAAN — The Annual Bed Race will return to Summer Nights of Canaan on Saturday July 18, following the Fireman’s Parade at 6 p.m.

Now a Summer Nights tradition, and before that, a staple of Railroad days since the early 1990s — the Bed Race is back after being revived in recent years by Will and Samantha Perotti. After the event lay dormant for several years, the couple volunteered to take it over and have been working to grow participation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Grand jury indicts Cole Bushnell on murder, evidence tampering charges

Cole Bushnell appears in Berkshire Superior Court on Thursday after a grand jury indicted him on charges of murder and evidence tampering.

Madi Long

An Ashley Falls man whose arrest drew attention on both sides of the Massachusetts-Connecticut border has been indicted on charges of murder and evidence tampering in connection with the June 1 killing of Michael A. Moore, a former Falls Village resident.

A Berkshire County grand jury has indicted Cole Bushnell, 41, on charges of murder and evidence tampering in the death of Moore, 40, of Winsted. The evidence tampering count is a new felony charge, with prosecutors alleging that Bushnell attempted to destroy his cellphone following the killing to conceal evidence.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.