In response to Justin Seabe, “Imam’s remarks not controversial” (CT, Sept. 8), suggesting that radical Islam attacked America because we don’t mind our own business, I have to ask: What about the rest of the world where radical Islam carries out their atrocities and the centuries before America was even a country?
What about the atrocities and killings against their own people if they don’t praise Allah and practice Sharia law?
We have a president who sat in a church for 20 years and could not recognize that Rev. Wright was a racist radical who hates America. We have a president who took a few days to respond to the Ft. Hood massacre and still won’t claim it an act of war by radical Islam.
Why should we have any confidence that the Mosque at Ground Zero isn’t another place to teach the same radical ideology Islam has been spreading and practicing for centuries? Where does the money come from? Why should taxpayers pay for President Barack Obama’s goodwill tour? If they think it’s so important to spread goodwill, why can’t they come up with the funding?
Do we send priests to Rome to collect money for churches?
Connie Chapman, Blacksburg resident
A version of this article appeared in the Sep 9 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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Bravo Connie well done.
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Connie - it goes both ways. First off, capitalize President. Bush, Obama, and the next guy/girl are still our elected leader. They are OUR President. Show some respect to our great nation. Goodwill tour? Bush had the most vacation days in US History. Stop being so blindly biased. Has Obama messed up? Sure. Am I going to vote for him? No. But, the blind bias you show is disgusting. Stop. Yes, he should have denounced Ft. Hood as an act of terror. I agree 100%. However, does that mean that my rights are completely taken away (see Patriot Act) in order to prevent future terrorist attacks? I'm more angry at Obama for not following the Constitution (a la Bush) with regards to personal liberties and habeas corpus
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That's a gross over exaggeration of what the patriot act does. It doesn't completely strip away liberties it simply gives law enforcement more powers in apprehending criminals at the slight loss of civil liberties.
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Exactly. It allows law enforcement to violate your civil liberties if they think you're a criminal. I guess if you're not breaking the law you don't have anything to worry about, right Anonymous?
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I'm not saying civil liberties haven't been curtailed to a degree. My objection is that you are acting like the Patriot Act is carte blanche for law enforcement officials with our civil liberties and it isn't. Civil liberties have only been eroded slightly so police and intelligence agents can be more effective in apprehending terrorists.
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How have you personally felt violated or that your civil liberties have been taken away? What do you have to hide? Do I really love the idea of everything I do being monitored and every conversation I have being recorded and listened to? No, that's a little too big brother for me. But I have nothing to hide and if giving up a little privacy means the government possibly stopping another terrorist attack (even the slightest possibility) then go ahead. I know that the government wont care at all about the drama in my life.
Has the government taken away any of my freedoms by listening? No. I can criticize the president all I want. So tell me, what freedoms/liberties have you really lost and how has that affected you?
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Kelsey, that is exactly the point. "If you have nothing to hide, why should you care?" Because, we live in America, and we should not have to fear our Government to get security in freedom. "Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither" - Benjamin Franklin
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It also sets a dangerous precedent.
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Somerset Maugham once said "The ability to quote is a serviceable substitute for wit." Yes I'm aware of the irony of pointing out your intellectual laziness in relying on quotes by using a quote but it worked too well to pass up. A country's duty is to protect it's citizens from threats abroad and within. This is balanced with a need to preserve liberty. So what you have is a pendulum that swings back and forth from a little more security at the cost of freedom to a little more freedom at the cost of security. What you get with the patriot act is the pendulum swinging back the other way towards security. This isn't new we've done this almost every time we went to war. The Patriot Act is very tame compared to past curtailments of civil liberties and the Bush Administration deserves admiration for this. Don't worry Brandon as our business in the Middle East is drawing to a close the pendulum is going to start swinging back the other way.
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Steve - very well put. I would much rather have liberty and the right to defend myself than stand for 290559839 hours at the airport. On most planes is an undercover air marshall. Do you know how many times they have drawn their weapons? A HANDFUL. That's a ton of money spent...for what?
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Airports are atrocious anyway if you aren't waiting for security you'll be stuck waiting hours on the tarmac for the plane to take off. The airlines really are reprehensible for their treatment of customers. I don't fly unless I absolutely have to and then I just bring a carry on bag. Never trust your luggage with them. If you buy stuff at your destination ship it back UPS.
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The Collegiate Times misquoted me. I said why should we pay for the Imam's good will tour. We don't pay for Priests to go to Rome to get money for churches and we don't pay for Rabbi's to go to Israel to get money for new synagogs.
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If you have an opinion about this I encourage you to read "Let Reformation Begin at Ground Zero" by Jon Meacham of Newsweek. It is one of the most unbiased articles I have read; it points out that the attacks were committed in the name of Islam but that doesnt make all Muslims bad extremists; He also points out the terrible things people have done in the name of Christianity (I myself am a Christian). The families of 9/11 are simply asking for the Mosque to be moved out of respect.
Just read the article; he clearly states his point better than I.
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/28/meacham-let-reformation-begin-at-ground-zero.html
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The difference is the Middle Ages were centuries ago and Christianity has modernized with society. Muslim atrocities which occurred centuries ago as well have continued into this day and age. Think about the Westboro Baptist Church for a minute and Google them if you aren't familiar with the group. Lots of people counter protest them wherever they go, is it because they are intolerant of their religion or against freedom of speech?, No! It's because what they do is repulsive. The mosque being put next to ground zero is the same as the Westboro Church protesting at Tech on 4/16. The people protesting the mosque are outraged at this self serving repulsive act.
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Wright is neither racist nor unpatriotic simply because he recognizes racism in America and its policy evils.
I find it fascinating how whenever a white person catches a black man discussing racist whites he is suddenly a racist - white guilt anyone? It is like you people seek out black racists so that you can assuage your immense discomfort regarding race relations and the inequality between whites and blacks.
America has committed heinous evil - like many countries. What is wrong with pointing it out? Should Germany be allowed to forget the Holocaust? Should Japan be allowed to forget Nanking?
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John you're back and as ignorant as ever this is like an early Christmas gift. Reverend is unpatriotic and a racist it isn't white guilt to point out racism in other races John. Here's one of his many quotes "The government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color. The government lied." The man's a loony John and your racism against whites is all too apparent once again. Tell me are you going to write a column again I so love disproving those and exposing your closet racism.
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Inequality between blacks and whites? What you talking about Willis? There's a black man in the white house how is there inequality especially when it is illegal to discriminate. That's a bold accusation to casually toss out and expect people to accept at face value.
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The citizens of Wellesley were told by "moderate" Muslims that the following "community center" would act as a bridge between faiths. When will we learn that what Muslims say is not necessarily what they'll do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7-I9Qp3d4Y&feature=player_embedded
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I love our country.
We say we want freedom & rights and rights blahblahblah.
Our fathers fought for it blahblahblah.
yet some political parties like to link religion with politics and government,(ie: Why is there 'God' in our the pledge of allegiance? Why do Republicans do bible related activities in their meetings and conventions? WTF what if I am not Christian? Am I not American? hahahaha.)
We yell freedom and rights but yet we let Patriot act pass.
(WTF? If you are innocent you should be fine? What if the government doesnt think you are innocent for some bs reason and violates your rights? and goes oops my bad?)
What the heck is a point of having our freedom & rights if we are gonna give our freedom & rights away to keep it?
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