Cal Thomas’ syndicated column of Feb. 1 contained the inflammatory statement that immigrant Muslim Somalis are a “Trojan Horse” in our midst. The Sun Journal now has a responsibility to do some investigative reporting on the truth.

Most U.S. Somalis are refugees from war and have no desire to expose themselves or their children to further violence. They often leave refugee camps where their sons are endangered by recruitment by jihadists, precisely because they want education and work for their children.

Even the most religious and devout are shocked by the actions of Al Shabaab, “The Youth,” in Somalia, such as recent beheadings without substantial trial.

It is tragedy for them, not glory, to have a son sneak off to Somalia to fight.

Instead of conjectures, give us facts about the missing Minneapolis youth:

Did the recruitment cut across different clans and regions of Somalia, or do some seem to be more at risk?

Were illegal drugs involved?

Did they target the educated young in their idealism or the struggling illiterate in their desperation?

Is it true that at least one runaway was mentally ill?

Did these runaways express unusual guilt about their friends left behind in refugee camps, or fascination with Al Shabaab?

Where did the money come from for airfare?

Is there any basis at all to the slander that a Minneapolis imam was part of the recruitment?

What Web sites were on the computers of these young men?

Instead of hysteria, give us strategies to protect all of our children from exploitation:

What can educators teach about brainwashing and cults (skinheads as well as jihadists)?

What signs should parents watch for?

What Web sites or chat room addresses should they be suspicious of?

Who can they turn to for help if they suspect something is wrong, especially if they are illiterate or dependent upon their children for translation?

How can we promote legitimate Islamic charities, many of which have withered away under the onerous reporting requirements created by 9/11?

It will be a failure of our entire community if our young people are recruited by extremists, be they black or white, Muslim or Catholic, foreign or local.

The Sun Journal can help to unite us in the future with its reporting.

Alice Chartrand Haines, Auburn