Rauf is being held to the spotlight for his statements about America’s role in the attacks. Jeremiah Wright mentioned the same "cause-effect" and that use of “the sword” brings “the sword.”  Neither side is right in doing so.  But rejecting any notion of American activity having exacerbated the "militant boiling point" is extremely naive,  and downright hubris.  They SURELY and ABSOLUTELY have played a role in creating many of the terrorists.  The “chickens HAVE come home to roost”. Brazenly and hubristically stationing themselves in Saudi Arabia is certainly something which the U.S. were not "sensitive" to the religious sensibilities of Muslims re: Saudi Arabia.  And "oh sorry,  we regret the loss of life" mantra  and continuing to do the same military routines of bombing where innocent civilians die:  this creates deep cultural resentment.  Rauf never said "America deserved it",  which is how much of this is playing,  and what many  ACTUALLY end up saying he said.  He simply said that this is the kind of resentment that creates the breaking points that help recruit more terrorists.

Abuse is always justified by the abuser.  But that doesn’t give free license to the abused to visit extended abuse on the abuser.  But we also understand the rage of the abused when it comes to spouses or children,  and gain some satisfaction in seeing the abuser suffer retribution.  But the America-right-or-wrong folks don’t want to accept the suggestion that their country abuses others out of “national self interest” and “economic profit”.  That just couldn’t be. 

You’re damn right I will "protest" (ie "bash" America, if you may )  for faults I see. To some ,  that seems like blasphemy (since American nationalism IS , for many, a religion that is a synthesis of national pride and theological justification—- hmmmmmm…sounds familiar) .  In that case,  it just may be. On the other hand,  I don’t give my ultimate allegiance to the U.S.,  so I can’t actually blaspheme(since that designation is reserved for those who claim allegiance,  and then proceed to sully the name of the object of that ultimate loyalty).