News cameras got a chance to catch up with the Boston Marathon bombers' uncle, Ruslan Tsarni, in an incredible interview that can be found here. 

The first thing that we notice is that he looks as we Americans feel -- shaken and angry.  He begins the interview by expressing condolences for those murdered and injured in the attacks.  "I've been following this from day one, but would have never ever imagined that somehow, the children of my brother would be associated with that. ... This family does not know how to share their grief with the real victims" (emphasis implied).

When asked if he had ever noticed any signs that his nephews might harbor ill will toward the United States, he replies, "No.  No.  I never knew.  Even if I would have guessed, or something, I would just submit them myself."

He was then asked a question about what might have provoked this attack.  His answer is pretty profound. 

What does he think caused them to do it?  "Being losers," he replies after a moment's pause.  "Hatred for those who were able to settle themselves.  These are the only reasons I can imagine of."

But Tsarni knows the implication of the question, and he answers it with conviction.

"Anything else," he continues, "to do with religion, with Islam, is a fake.  It's a fraud."  He goes on to posit that "someone must have radicalized them" but defends his brother by saying he doesn't think it was the bombers' father who did it, as he "spent his life bringing bread to their table, fixing cars.  He didn't have time or chance or anything; [his only] option was working." 

After expressing the shame he feels for his family association with these attackers, he doubles down on why he really thinks his nephews bombed the Boston Marathon.  "What I think was behind it, being losers.  Not being able to settle themselves.  And thereby just hating everyone who did."

There are aspects of Islam's cultural history, particularly its foundation, which clearly lend credence to the notion that armed jihad is a religious imperative for Muslims.  There can be no denying that, and, to the detriment of the world, we endure the result of this in a global sense.  But Mr. Tsarni raises an interesting question.  In terms of domestic jihad, which manifests itself in atrocities such as the Boston bombing, is Islam the reason why these bombers did what they did, or is Islamic jihad the vehicle by which their envy was fomented and expressed?

Which is the greater influence?  Whether the medium which leads to violent expression is a political philosophy like Communism or a twisted religious imperative like armed Islamic jihad, isn't it useful to discern that envy is what leads to this kind of hateful expression in the first place? 

Mr. Tsarni has rejected envy, Communism, and Islamic jihad in favor of what we Americans hold dear, and whether he practices a Muslim faith, Christian faith, or a lack of faith altogether is incidental.  He makes it abundantly clear that whatever led these "losers" to bomb innocent people is not the Islam that he subscribes to, and that he finds any practice of Islam that would condone murdering innocent people as abhorrent as the vast majority of Americans find it.  And he concludes, with a passion rarely seen outside those who've escaped the Iron Curtain, with a statement describing his thoughts about America. 

I teach my children, and that's what I feel myself.  This is the ideal micro-world in the entire world. I respect this country, I love this country. This country, which gives chance to everybody else to be treated as a human being. And to just be human being. And feel yourself human being.  That is what I feel about this country.

This man could not be more American.  I don't care where he comes from, how much money he makes, or what God he worships.  And he is right: that is what makes America great. 

Ruslan Tsarni did more for the public relations of American Muslims in this interview than David Sirota, Chris Matthews, and every other liberal pundit who sits on the soapbox lecturing Americans ever could have.  He shows America an example of a Muslim living by and believing in American values -- and he vehemently denounces armed jihad.  No, I don't agree with him that Islam has nothing to do with armed jihad, but Islamic radicalism truly seems foreign to him, and one has to imagine that he is hardly unique.  This example urges all Americans who believe in freedom, regardless of their position on Islam, to give that fact serious consideration. 

William Sullivan blogs at http://politicalpalaverblog.blogspot.com and can be followed on Twitter.