Panetta is making the case of “self radicalization”, people who decided to become radicals on their own.
This is a great example of denial and for some it is absolutely vital. If you actually suggest that there is an actual connection to radical Islam and terrorism, including in the United States then that puts you in the uncomfortable to have to make a decision to do something or not.
Ignorance is bliss because it allows you to ignore things that you don’t want to face.
Update: The unwillingness to face reality makes one spectators to events. Mark Steyn writes today about how well that is working in Canada:
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