I am torn by this topic. If this were a church, synagogue, hell, even a topless bar, would the repubicans, yes I said repubicans, be whining so much, NO. They think they can drive a wedge between the voters and dems during the elections this fall, but it is going to backfire.
The reality is that US Muslims denounce 9/11. It is the fundamentalists and radicals that are using religion as a weapon of war. News flash, the Vatican did the same thing during the crusades as did Hitler. Every radical leader uses religion as a way to motivate citizens.
Do I wish I would hear a loud and clear message from US Muslims denouncing terrorism and specific organizations like al Qaeda and Hezbollah, of course. I think their silence is causing a huge rift in America and across the globe, which will not end well.
However, It is a dangerous precedent to our way of life if politicians, both Dem and Republican, is able to use this topic as an election tactic.
Now, with that said, do I trust that this IMAM is trustworthy or honest, no. Do I think we need to have a clear understanding of where the money is coming from, hell yes. However, we can't be so naive to think that the NSA, CIA and FBI won't bug every square inch of this place like they did the Russian embassy in Washington. We will know every word that is said in this place.
We may not trust Islam, we don't have to like Sharia law, but in the interest of liberty, we have to tolerate it, even if they don't understand or tolerate our Republic. In the 1900s we had tons of ethnicities that poured into the US and there was a huge disdain for Irish, Italians, Germans, whatever. However, 50, 60 70 years later it was the best thing that could have happened.
Do not give into fear and do not let politicians fuel your fears. Re-read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Specifically research Adams' defense of British Soldiers during the Boston Massacre.
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I think you mean John Adams (defense of Captain Preston, et.al.) Not sure I get the analogy. Is the Imam equal to Preston and the British soldiers? Or is America?
ReplyDeleteI don't see this as a First Amendment issue. It's clear the imam has a right to build a mosque there. The issue is one of appropriateness. Think of the Fred Phelps issue. Previously in your blog you mention that you’d probably wind up in prison if he showed up and you were in attendance. Does Phelps have a right to protest at military funerals? Yes. Is it appropriate? No.
Yet you’re torn about the mosque issue?
Islam claims it is a religion of peace. Here's a chance to prove it. Peaceful people do not do things deliberately provocative and insensitive.
The Imam is like Preston. They did something that everyone thought was wrong and if left to the court of public opinion would have been hung. However, Adams decided to stand by the courage of his convictions and defend someone that he didn't like because it was the right thing to do.
ReplyDeleteAs for Phelps, he has the right to protest and I have the right to beat his ass and suffer the consequences of doing so. That is my choice. I support his right to protest, even if personally I don't agree with his message. I also agree that someone should be allowed to burn the flag, but I can guarantee you they will never do it in front of me. I am willing to fight for my beliefs.
However, as a society and as a country, we must be held to a higher standard and can not give in to fear regardless of how inappropriate the actions are if the person or organization is well within their rights.
Also, we can not allow the government to weigh in on this subject. Right now, if we allow the government to force these people to move, it may seem like the "sensitive" and right thing to do, but it isn't. With the governments new found authority to subvert the most basic of inalienable rights, what happens when they declare martial law and tell you you can't go out after 9:00 PM, or that you are not allowed to peaceably protest or make harsh comments about the actions of our elected leaders? We all know where that goes.
The effort of maintaining liberty is never easy and will never have universal support for every topic, but standing up for someone else's rights is the most important thing we can do.
We have to give Islam the opportunity to participate in tolerance and prove that they are willing to be tolerant of our beliefs as we are of theirs. If, they sponsor subversive behavior, and we can prove it, then we let the rule of law take care of the problem. If that isn't good enough and Islam tries to subvert the Republic, I will be the first to pick up a gun and fight, but they have to given the chance to meet us half way. Otherwise we are just like Saudi Arabia, Iran and other closed and barbaric countries.