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
