Muslims . . .

Hmmm. A bit late in my reply, but I think it's worth adding:

There are a few other factors why bashing Muslims is not very acceptable in America:

(1) The internet and social networking. It's hard for smart people to bash Muslims when there are lots of Muslims in their social networks, and although many object to American foreign policy most are positive about American culture in many other respects and are generally nice people.

(2) A virtuous cycle in which Muslims were allowed to assimilate in America in ways that they cannot in most European countries, which has allowed most American Muslims to hold moderate views, which has led to more assimilation, etc.

(3) The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but not in the way you mentioned. In every war between cultures, the soldiers end up learning something about the culture they are fighting against. Some learn to like that culture, others may not like it but learn to respect it. When they return home they bring their new perspectives with them, and proliferate them to others in the middle class. Seeing as the professional haters tend to glorify soldiers, they can't keep up their former levels of hatred as they will now run into opposition from the very people they glorify - so either their views change or they shut up.

I expect #3 is the big one.