We have a problem in this country. Well, obviously more than one, but I have a particular one in mind. It goes back to what I have said in an earlier post about the state of education in this country. Correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to remember quoting a source that has this country ranked 34th in the world in education. But despite this deficit we certainly remain an opinionated people. So... if our opinions are not crafted through education where are we getting our "facts" from? Increasingly it seems we are getting them from television. Someone on TV spouts off on some topic and if it seems to jive with our own biases it becomes "fact". People on both the left and right are guilty of this but I have to say that, in my humble opinion, the folks on the right seem to be the most grevious offenders. The latest bit of hogwash they are selling Americans is the whole "controversy" about a Mosque being built near ground zero. What a joke! Do we live in America or what? Does the concept of "freedom of religion" ring a bell to anyone? The case can be made that our nation stands or falls on the kind of principles that would allow any type of religious building to be built anywhere on private property. "Land of the Free" anyone?
When I hear people complaining about all this, you know what I think? I think the terrorists are loving it. This is a win for them. But this time it's even better: they have us abandoning our own American ideals.
Sad. Really sad.
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The mosque "issue" is a giant distraction, intended to keep people from noticing or becoming involved in issues or matters germane to them or the people they vote for. Think flag-burning amendment. Didn't pass that one, and don’t you see the severe consequences of that? And speaking of "terrorists loving it" how about the Bill Clinton impeachment trial? Remember what was going on during the National Obsession on Presidential Oral Sex and Dress Stains? The groundwork planning for 9/11. Where's Kaylee, is OJ guilty?
I'm happy to let the good people of NYC vote for people who in-turn create and enforce zoning laws. I just wish we got half of that attention in Bloomington when they built that McDonalds next to the Lutheran church.
I'd like to go on the record as saying that building a mosque in the Ground Zero area is a wonderful idea. Islam had nothing to do with that attack, since the terrorists clearly were not following their religion when they flew those planes into the WTC. Having Islam represented in that area can help remind people that this is a religion of peace and love, as all religions are at their core. I admit that a lot of folks won't see it that way, but it's true IMHO. It's also a good chance to really put that "freedom of religion" ideal to the test. These sorts of principles are great when times are easy, but when they are not is when adhering to them is most important.
Hey! Check out this great segment from a recent Daily Show. Very well done satire!
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-august-25-2010/tennessee-no-evil
I agree that people forget that freedom of religion is one of the principles on which our country is founded, What better place for a mosque to remind us of our great American tragedy
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