But, seriously, why do you and I have any business discussing what is, in reality, an issue of local zoning ordinances? This problem is not America’s problem — it is New York’s topic for debate. Neither Palin nor Gingrich have any reason to insult the people responsible for their attempt to reconcile one of the worst tragedies in American history with the clearest symbol of maturation and resilience. They are not New Yorkers.
I believe building the cultural center is a fine idea. In fact, for lack of a better analogy, I believe building that cultural center would be like giving Osama bin Laden and the Taliban and Al-Qaeda the middle finger.
“You said we were intolerant. You said we were oppressive. Now what do you have to say?” It’s like that scene in the film, “My Cousin Vinny” where Vinny shows up to the courthouse wearing the ridiculous red tuxedo because his new suit gets covered in mud after the judge scolded him for dressing too casually.
Except, we would be wearing the gaudy tuxedo on purpose. The whole discussion is a disgrace to the American reputation. We should be tolerant. We should let Muslims practice their religion in peace.
“The America I grew up with,” is a rightist fan favorite. The pundits spewing the crap that follows that clause grew up in an America that withheld civil rights from African-Americans, shunned gays and denied women equality in the workplace. So, it comes as no surprise these same people who developed the culture of the voluminous abject would be willing to suspend the constitutional right to build a Muslim community center.
See? It’s harsh when you lump people together like that. Gingrich and Palin (most likely) weren’t responsible for the aforementioned atrocities above — except rescinding the constitutional right to religion.
Mr. Gingrich, the people wishing to build that community center aren’t “radical Muslims.” They are Americans. They wish to exercise their freedoms.
If they do not have the money to build it, then there is no business building it. If the New York construction industry turns its back on the project, then do not outsource the project to Connecticut or New Jersey’s industries. If someone is willing to do it, then get it done.
Gingrich, Palin: Shut up and mind your own business.
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A version of this article appeared in the Aug 25 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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Ben Woody, this is quality stuff. Couldn't have said it better myself.
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"But when has the American culture been one to generalize an entire people based on the misconceptions and fear-mongering of its policy makers?" You clearly didn't get much exposure to American immigration history in high school US history. American culture has consistently generalized entire people groups based on misconceptions (irish, native americans, catholics, etc etc etc). It's what we do.
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What's more offensive is when tourists treat ground zero like it's times square:
http://hotchickssmilingatgroundzero.com/
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"This problem is not America’s problem  it is New York’s topic for debate." - So was 9/11 not America's problem but just New York's?
"I believe building that cultural center would be like giving Osama bin Laden and the Taliban and Al-Qaeda the middle finger." - You never checked history did you? It is common for Muslim nations to destroy iconic structures and rebuild mosques on top of them. Letting them build a mosque near Ground Zero is not a 'middle finger' response.
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Unless you believe that all Muslims destroyed the Burlington Coat Factory and then decided to build a mosque on it -- your second point is invalid.
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Oh, it's exclusively New York's problem? Cool. New York doesn't need my tax dollars in the form of federal funding for terrorism, then, because it's their problem.
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One does not have a thing to do with the other
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Well, everyone who is outraged by a mosque being built should boycott oil from Muslim countries. That'll show em!
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So now it is a cultural center, eh?
And people believe this? Amazing. Who was it who said, "A sucker is born every minute"?
Studies done on mosques in the West (and this includes mosques in Europe) indicate a significant majority of them preach and teach hatred of the West.
No doubt, though, the "Park 51 Mosque" will not be like all these other Mosques, and will instead be a place of love, compassion and tolerance.
The wonderful thing about all this is it's not too far from the Brookly Bridge and that bridge is for sale and I'm the listing agent. Please contact me with any serious offers for purchase of said propetrty.
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what studies? show em.
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