We are Joplin, and we’re better than this.

Any one know this guy?

The Islamic Society of Joplin was damaged by a suspicious fire earlier this month. It appears, from early investigations, that someone lit something and threw it on the roof.

And that someone appears to have been captured here, on a security video.

For all the good will built up around the people of Joplin — particularly after the devastating tornado in May 2011 — it only takes one dumb-ass to remind folks that there’s stupid, and then there’s dumb-ass. I am sad that the Muslims in the Joplin area have cause to suffer at the hands of a dumb-ass, and I’m sad that some dumb-ass in the land of my youth is making the rest of us look bad.

The residual effect of that ugly tornado was that people pulled together. They came from all over — expats and others — and pitched in to heal this town. This — and an earlier suspicious fire from 2008 — is something Joplin can heal its ownself. Do the right thing. Don’t let this crime go unpunished. If you know something, say something.

Sojourners, a progressive Christian group, is petitioning the Department of Justice to conduct an investigation. You can sign the petition here. CAIR, too, is asking for an investigation. There should be no need for an investigation. There should be an uprising of citizens who cough up the wrong-doer without any prodding whatsoever.

And thanks, Jac, for the link.