I must first say, that I don't care about the "wisdom" (as the President put it) of putting a mosque in the former Burlington Coat Factory located 2 1/2 blocks away from Ground Zero.
I don't care whether you call it a mosque or a community center.
Although I am certainly sympathetic, I don't really care if there are people in New York who are against it.
I don't care that in an election year it may cost Democrats seat in the Senate and result in the swearing in of Senator Angle.
I don't care that the mosque could be built somewhere else.
And I certainly don't care that even some who support their right to build it there consider it "in poor taste."
Hell, to be honest, I don't even think it's in poor taste. You know what's in poor taste? The fact that nearly nine years later, we still have nothing but a hole in the ground on that spot. As far as I'm concerned, they can build a mosque right on Ground Zero for all I care. At least then there would be something there.
In fact after they build a mosque there, we could follow it up with a Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu, Hebrew, and Christian site as well. And at least for one hour a day, they should meet in a common area and talk to one another.
That would be a fitting monument for those that perished on that awful day. And that I do care about.
Sumo-Pop
August 16, 2010
David, I actually don't even care about the Mosque anymore. I would prefer they build it somewhere else for the saftey of those building it and the safety of those attending it. Call it defeatism or whatever, but it just isn't worth it at this point.
ReplyDelete"it just isn't worth it at this point."
ReplyDeleteRespectfully, I disagree.
So much to say, so little time... another time perhaps... :) 3 things I agree with: 1. this is not on "ground zero" 2. it is a shame that "ground zero" is still vacant. 3. the US Constitution supports the freedom of all religions and that even if it was on ground zero, forces us into letting this happen... no matter how wrong we may feel it is. That is why we make guiding documents in the first place. gotta go...
ReplyDeleteA very consistent response. I just don't know why anyone considers it "wrong." There is a mosque 4 blocks from ground zero, why is two a big deal? It just seems completely arbitrary and manufactured.
ReplyDeleteWhen did feelings & emotions start trumping the Constitution? And I hate the Pope & nun analogy. It's not a good defense the "sensitivity" reasoning.
ReplyDeleteExactly. It's the same reason why you can't be a juror on a murder case involving a loved one. The constitution is there to limit subjectivity. and "it hurts my feelings" ain't a good enough reasonto disallow an essential freedom.
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly David! I'd like our national energy used toward the purpose of what you just described for what still remains an ugly scar.
ReplyDeleteAnd the current hysteria is only making it uglier.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading that thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteI heard something on ABC news that claimed that some organization formed by Liz Chaney and Bill Cristal was behind blowing this all out of proportion. Haven't checked out that claim yet.
ReplyDeleteKerry Helmer likes this.
ReplyDeleteYou should have realized by now that a reasonable solution will not suffice, which yours certainly is. Lines have been drawn, mics have been turned up and signs have been made. If someone was interested in tolerance, they probably aren't in this debate.
ReplyDeleteOh, I don't suspect that anyone is going to care about my two cents. I just thought it made sense and was worth saying.
ReplyDeleteSusan Protheroe likes this.
ReplyDeleteJust FYI, it's not just a hole in the ground. The memorial waterfalls in the old tower's footprints are almost complete, as well as an adjacent memorial with remains(bone fragments/dust) of hundreds inside. They are supposed to be officially opened on the anniversary this year (I think, might be next year). What isn't completed is the 'Freedom Tower' and the adjacent 5 buildings in the plan. Otherwise, a lot has actually been done.
ReplyDeleteSorry, after nine years? Not impressed. Sure work has been done. But very little has been finished. It's hardly a functional piece of real estate.
ReplyDeleteTo paraphrase: I don't care if you are not impressed. :) The point is that there IS something there, saying it's just a hole in the ground is factually inaccurate. I was down there two weeks ago. People are going to say it's just a hole ...in the ground until all the buildings are up.
ReplyDeleteBtw, nine years is nothing considering the conflicting interests. We can't build like we used to either. Empire State Building went up in a year, but people died a lot, which was fine back then because they were just italians and more kept sailing in.
Well, you're right about the "we can't build like we used to." After terrorist attacks in Israel, they clear the rubble and start building right away. It tells the bombers that you can't keep us down. By any measure, we fall short when it comes to filling that space. It's pathetic.
ReplyDeleteI hear Pearl Harbor will hopefully be done by this fall. =S
ReplyDeleteChristine Cullinan likes this
ReplyDeleteI think some christians are mad because they were looking to buy a "dream coat" there.
ReplyDeleteGood post David, if a bit short on "meat". I'm not sure why you didn't mention the First Amendment, but I suppose your sentiment can stand on its own without it. It would indeed be great if people of all faiths would speak openly together, and often. And perhaps even hug it out, Entourage style. :) And yes it's a travesty that we haven't built anything there yet after 9 years.
ReplyDelete