This morning during CNN’s State of the Union, New York congressmen Jerrold Nadler (D) and Peter King (R) also discussed the Islamic Center.
King argued that, while he respects Muslims’ “right” to build a new center, “they should listen to public opinion” and “should voluntarily move the mosque away from Ground Zero.” This argument worries me because I get the impression of an attitude that puts guilt on all Muslims for the terrorist acts of 9/11. I am personally not against the center because the Rule of Law and our freedoms from the Bill of Rights should be equally distributed to all Americans, and clearly the people who are going to build and use this center are using their First Amendment rights. Yes, 9/11 was a tragedy for America, but as Nadler said, you can not "regard Islam as the culprit, as opposed to Al Qaida as the culprit. We were not attacked by all Muslims."
Letting this center be built willingly is such an American thing we as a nation can do because it celebrates the freedoms our founding fathers ensured we as a nation could have.
-H.H.
By the way, here is a map for the center's location in regards to Gound Zero.
I agree with Helene. I can see why people have ill feelings about this being built, but I think it is unethical to deny one group of people something based of the actions of others.
ReplyDeleteLinsey Shay... forgot to put my name on it.
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ReplyDelete“As a citizen, and as president,” Mr. Obama said then, “I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.” -President Barack Hussein Obama
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/15/us/politics/15mosque.html?_r=2&scp=2&sq=mosque+debate&st=cse
I believe that the building of the Islamic community center is a constitutional right. Isn't that what this country has advertised itself as: a place where freedoms are realized, including the freedom of religion.The kickback against this center is based purely on fear and ignorance. The 9/11 terrorists shouldn't be seen as the face of Islam.
Some argue that since 9/11, "Americans" have never lived in state where their freedoms have been challenged and they are now living in fear for their lives. This notion is false. One huge example is U.S. slavery, where the freedoms of African-Americans were stripped and they lived in fear for many years. It saddens me to see who is counted as "American" and who is not in these debates.
-OI
Just so you know, this statement was released by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D) Office.
ReplyDelete"The First Amendment protects freedom of religion," reads a statement from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office (D-Nev.). "Senator Reid respects that but thinks that the mosque should be built someplace else. If the Republicans are being sincere, they would help us pass this long overdue bill to help the first responders whose health and livelihoods have been devastated because of their bravery on 911, rather than continuing to block this much-needed legislation."
I think its pretty ironic that the same people who beat the constitution with their hands on the house and senate floor like those old time cymbal clashing monkeys are the same people ignoring the 1st amendment with regards to this issue. Freedom of religion... as long as you choose the right one.
ReplyDeleteAS
I agree with Andy's comment with regards to this topic. It's interesting that our country prides itself on freedom of religion as it applies to certain religions, Christianity in particular, and then belives that it's okay to take this right away from other religions. It's also important to note that there were American Muslims impacted by 9/11 as well and as stated earlier the entire Muslim population shouldn't be held responsibility for the events that happened that day.
ReplyDelete-M.T.