America disappoints me again
Remember some of these types of statements people were making after 9/11?
“We aren’t going to change America because of some fanatic loonies.”
“Those terrorists can’t make us live in fear.”
Et cetera. Guess what? People are freaking out because a mosque is going to built near Ground Zero.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
While not scientific, 82% of the people in a MSNBC survey opposed the mosque. It’s likely many, if not most, of you readers agree with them.
I’d like you to explain why my dismay is unfounded.
Controversial. I decline to comment. Wait, i just did…DOH!
Reply to QYou’re an idiot. No one wants to read about politics and crap on LEP. When are you going to take the pics for the next part of Corridors & Creatures anyway? It has to be by the weekend; Egg Fu Yung is going to visit his relatives in Shanghai on Sunday.
Reply to The MascotIt is really only an issue because the media says it is. Controversial, yes. The mass generalization of a religious group (go figure) is why everybody has their panties in a bundle.
Reply to BradHmmmm…..
First off I don’t believe its actually a mosque. I believe it is a Muslim cultural center and multipurpose building with a room/area for Muslim worship.
Secondly the problem that many people have is that during their conquests Muslims would build mosques (obviously they were conquering and would need a place to worship) as signs or symbols of their conquests. I know that this was an act of radical Islam, but the fact remains that it was an act of a faction of Islam. If a bunch of Christian radicals bombed Tehran I can assure you they wouldn’t put a church up when they rebuilt the city.
Yes we are Americans and we should be above such xenophobia, but apparently we are not.
I myself have mixed feelings about it, have to say when its said and done I’m not crazy about the idea.
Reply to wangi don’t think it’s about xenophobia at all. it’s about common decency and manners.
The builders of this Muslim center have been met with plenty of opposition. Maybe it is their right to build there, but to say that it’s an olive branch or a bridge between people is disingenuous. If I’m holding a dinner party and I am particularly proud of my homemade bread pudding, but I know most of my guests hate it, I will not serve it. It’s my party and I can serve what I want to, but why would I? These Muslims know they are hurting feelings but they pressed on. Why?
I personally do not have a problem with the building, but then again, I don’t know anyone who died there. I do think that if I were Muslim, I’d be embarrassed about this. It’s kind of like the church here who decided to put up that 150 foot white cross in the city to “mark this city as Christian”.
Bloomberg made a smart political move by throwing his support on the side of the builders. And yes, everyone has the same rights in this country. Equality and fairness are two great reasons the USA is such a coveted place to live.
However, being fair doesn’t always mean being right.
Reply to annieAlright, what if the Mosque/cultural centre was built? There’s so much controversy that I wouldn’t be surprised if someone would try to destroy it. For the sake of safety, it would be better not to build.
Reply to QAs a side note: If I were recruiting for an extremist Islamist group, I would point to this survey as evidence that the American people, and not just the government, are anti-Islam. (Not that it makes it true, but it’s an easy piece of propaganda.)
@Brad: The media’s getting our eyes to turn to them…guess they’re doing their job.
@Wang: Yes, I understand it’s not just a mosque, but there will be a mosque as part of the complex.
It’s easy to understand the mixed feelings, but feelings don’t supercede what the US is based on. The ability for Muslims to build mosques freely — even though they are unpopular — represents an important aspect of what a freedom based, secular government should be.
@Annie: I’m sure they are aware that there would be some hurt feelings, but I don’t think they expected this kind of backlash. New York City is difficult to get land in. They probably didn’t have too many choices.
The analogy with the 150 foot white cross doesn’t work. What’s being built is the equivalent of a church or temple.
@Q: Should abortion centers not be built in the South because there’s a history of bombing them? It’s moving the burden from the perpetrator to the victim.
Reply to Donniemmm.. yeah the cross analogy doesn’t work, but my point was, if I am met with so much opposition and I know my actions will hurt people, I would not proceed. Maybe land is hard to come by in New York but doubtless they did have other choices – including not building at all. Why this land? Why that location? I feel like they just wanted to push buttons.
If they are trying to represent Islam in a positive way, this is not the way to do it. Just like it’s not good to represent Christianity by going around telling people “you’re a sinner and you’re going to hell”.
Lately I’ve been more sensitive to issues that involve considering and accommodating others. This particular one doesn’t really tick me off, but I am curious to know why this Muslim group pushed so hard, knowing how people feel about it. No matter what their intentions are, they may have moved their cause about five steps backwards.
Reply to annieUm, well you’re wrong. It’s obvious, duh.
Reply to Donnieyou’re right. I crumple to the intellectually superior.
but im still better looking.
Reply to annieUgh. Don’t remind me. I’m saving up for plastic surgery so I can top you.
Reply to DonnieReally! That would please me greatly!
Reply to Q