Editor’s note: This piece was penned Wednesday, Feb. 3.

In the wake of the Paris and San Bernardino attacks — terrorist atrocities carried out by radical Islamist supremacists — President Obama is visiting a synagogue today to reassure Americans concerned about rising anti-Semitism.

No, wait … that’s not right.

Sorry, folks, he’s going to a church to express his outrage over the unprecedented level of Christian persecution taking place in the world today.

Oops, wrong again.

In all seriousness, the president is going to a Maryland mosque today. He is doing so, according to the White House spokesman, to make sure “that we’re affirming the important role that Muslims play in our diverse American society” and to reiterate his belief that Muslims “shouldn’t be subject to ridicule or targeting by anybody.”

But there is no evidence that hate crimes aimed at Muslims are increasing, although there is a pattern of growing hostility and attacks against Jews here in the U.S. and in Europe.

During his visit to the mosque, Obama will insist that jihadi violence has nothing to do with Islam. He should read this column by Iraqi journalist Fadel Boula, who rejects such nonsense. Boula writes:

“When the terrorists blew up the World Trade Center … killing thousands of victims, Osama bin Laden … said on television: ‘This is a victory from Allah.’ And now ISIS is bragging about killing innocent people in Paris, saying that it was ‘done with Allah’s approval’ … And [Sheikh Yusouf] Al-Qaradhawi and others like him pray and hope that, in the wake of this terrorist momentum, a day will arrive when Muslims inundate Europe and subdue it to Islam. Is this not enough to convince [us] that terror [does] have a religion?”

One of the great ironies about this visit is that in seeking to demonstrate his tolerance, President Obama is going to a mosque that has significant radical connections, including ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

I suspect Obama’s real goal today is to use the visit to further marginalize Americans who believe we should think twice before continuing to expand Muslim immigration to the U.S., especially when top security officials acknowledge they cannot thoroughly vet the new immigrants.

Breaking News: I just saw a report that the president said at the mosque today, “Muslims keep us safe.” He explained that remark by saying, “Muslims serve as police. Muslims serve as firemen. Muslims work in the Department of Homeland Security.”

Well, let’s look at the bright side of that presidential statement: At least he finally said something positive about police!

What The President Should Say

I have no problem with a president visiting a mosque. But I would urge the president to remind the attendees that they have more freedom here than they do in virtually any other Muslim-majority nation.

I would urge the president to tell the mosque attendees how fortunate they are to live in a country that believes in religious liberty, where Shia and Sunni are not killing one another.

And I would hope that the president would challenge them to speak out often against ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, etc., to preach regularly against jihad and be very clear about how beheadings, suicide bombings and crucifixions have nothing do with their faith.

Observations From Iowa

Forty-eight hours later, the results of the Iowa caucuses are still reverberating throughout the political landscape. Here are some observations about this great American quadrennial tradition:

• Conservative voters are often mocked by the media for their alleged bigotry and lack of diversity. But Monday night, the first Hispanic in history won the Iowa caucuses, as a Republican. In fact, 60% of Iowa Republicans voted for minority candidates. But the left-wing media have been strangely silent about that fact.

To the left, which includes the media, if you’re a conservative African American like Clarence Thomas, you’re not a real black man because ideology trumps everything. If you are a conservative Hispanic, you’re not really Hispanic. That’s why pro-life women are supposedly “anti-woman” and yet Bruce Jenner, we are told, is a woman.

• The Iowa caucuses have traditionally helped to winnow the field, and they did so again this year. Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley ended his campaign for the Democrat nomination Monday night. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee dropped out of the GOP race Monday as well. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul ended his bid today, as did former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum.

• Republican turnout in the Iowa caucuses surpassed Democrat turnout this time. That’s was a first for the caucuses when both parties had contested races.