Cordoba House / Islamic Community Center near Ground Zero / ISLAMO TERRORIST TRAINING CAMP MOSQUE

I cannot believe how much debate there has been over the construction of this building. First of all it is not a Mosque. It is more of a community center like the YMCA (the C stands for Christian). Sarah Palin used her logic that the area was hallowed ground (see pictures for buildings of comparable distances)

I think that takes away from her argument.

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich said that "Nazis don't have the right to put up a sign next to the Holocaust Museum in Washington". Does he think that all Muslims are terrorists? I guess a street stand selling German Sausages shouldn't be allowed near the Holocaust Museum.

Rev. Michael Faulkner running for NY-15 (North Manhattan) said that it is like allowing the KKK to put up a statue near a civil rights historical location (can't remember the exact location). Again, Republicans are associating all Muslims as terrorists. I am surprised Faulkner wasn't asked if he believes are Southern Whites are racist and in the KKK. Are all Muslims in Al Qaeda? I must have missed the memo.

Faulkner also says that as a Minister he would never put up a Church in a Jewish community. The response given to him by Scott Stringer, President of Manhattan Borough is that he (as a Jewish American) would glady welcome any church in a Jewish community and that he has visited Faulkners church. Desegregation of church locations (interesting wording) improves the communication between the two religions and also educates both sides on each other.

Conservative writer David Frum in support of the Cordoba House inserted a quote into his article. "It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent national gifts. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support." The quote is about Jewish Citizens having the right to build Synagogues. Guess who wrote it....George Washington.

Here is a quote from the Cordoba House's website

"Cordoba House will provide a place where individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, will find a center of learning, art and culture; and most importantly, a center guided by Islamic values in their truest form – compassion, generosity, and respect for all."

Basically it is what a YMCA used to be. It is not on Ground Zero and it is not a Mosque. There is quite a bit of demagoguery (common tactic this year) and I do understand why people are upset ESPECIALLY since most are ignorant on the facts such as Mosque/Community Center, Hallowed Ground/Near BurgerKing. Remember these are Muslims, not Al Qaeda terrorists.

I really like to use quotes so I will end with one. Here is a recommendation from David Frum (Conservative) on what the Cordoba House's website should have.

"The 9/11 atrocity was committed by people who claimed to speak in the name of Islam. We utterly reject this claim, and we join all our fellow Americans in abhorring the evil acts of al-Qaida and other self-described Islamic terrorist groups. We seek to build our mosque near the site of the 9/11 attack on our country as a place for worship and reflection, to pray with our fellow citizens for the welfare of our country and to pledge as Americans: never again." - David Frum

The British Televised Debate

This was the first time I had ever really seen anything about foreign elections. Even being a half hour from Canada it had never really interested me.

This debate was interesting on a number of levels. First of all, it was interesting seeing a multi party system in action. Second of all, it was shocking to see a moderate conservative speak as they are being ousted in the US. Third of all, I had no idea what the difference between a Labour Party member and a Liberal Democrat were. Google took care of that.

Personally, just from watching the debate, I am a fan of Nick Clegg. While I am very ignorant on his history along with the other candidate's history, he spoke about many issues that were important to me and didn't seem like a "wing nut" as Dr. McGuire, one of my politics professors describes far left or right people.

The main reason for writing this post is the proposal offered by Nick Clegg. It was very interesting to me as I am unaware of any policy similar to this. It entails that the first 10 thousand pounds of every citizen would be tax exempt. This would obviously benefit the lower income families, being a progressive law as lower income families would see a higher percentage of tax dollars saved. I wonder what people in the US would think of this. It seems very fair to me, but it would depend on whether taxes for any dollars over the 10k limit would be raised. It would interest me to look deeper into this issue and see if it would actually work.

Libertarians

Libertarians have always been somewhat interesting to me. But lately, people that want to sound fancy and get attention do not call themselves Democrat or Republican, they call themselves Libertarian. Now I do not have a problem with anyone being Democrat, Republican, or "Libertarian". What I do have a problem with is people identifying themselves in a party but not agreeing with what they are all about. Dede Skozzafava is a special case because I do believe her to be a Republican, but when people call themselves libertarian but want bigger government, that is direct hypocrisy. A true Libertarian would not want any campaign finance reform, public option in heath care, health care reform or anything else involving government in their lives. Even having police is a little fishy to me when in the shoes of a Libertarian. All I'm trying to say is be who you are and don't try to hide it by putting "moderate" or "libertarian" in your facebook for example if you are anything but those.