Mosque Madness

Okay, there are so many facets to this particular issue, let me just tackle them one at a time.

First off, the first amendment to our Constitution guarantees religious freedom. The first LINE of the first amendment. And that includes, as our founders knew them, Mohamatans. If the owner of a private lot wants to sell or lease it to a group of Muslims for a community center and mosque, WHO CARES?

As far as “ground zero” being hallowed ground goes, that's something that SERIOUSLY needs to be evaluated in this country. It's kind of like the word “terrorism”... we don't really want to TREAT ground zero as hallowed ground, we just want to SAY that it is so that when we can use it for political ends, we can. I mean, we've now had nine years to do SOMETHING with that spot, and what we have today is what we've had for at least eight... a big fucking hole in the middle of lower Manhattan. So if it's going to be a grave, let's treat it as a grave. Let's put a big marker on the spot that no one is allowed to walk on (last time I checked it was considered bad form to walk on a grave), and leave it at that. If we're NOT going to treat it as a grave, then put up a new building there, one that people can use, with maybe a nice atrium with a small, tasteful memorial to the men and women who died there.

And exactly who is this “hallowed ground” hallowed for? Christians? I'm betting that since it was New York, there were probably about as many Jews at work in thos buildings as Christians. So is it hallowed for the Jews? What about our Atheistic and Agnostic brothers and sisters? There had to be a fair number of them working there. Hindus? This is NEW YORK, people. The very crucible of the American melting pot. You could almost name a modern religious credo at random, and I bet that there was an adherent working in WTC... including Muslims. So why not let them honor this “hallowed”, hollowed ground by putting up a community center someplace near where they can mourn their dead?

But, speaking of Muslims, let me address my Mohamatan brothers and sisters for a second here. Guys... is this really the best battle that you can choose to fight right now? I know that it's been tough for you guys. You've been prevented from building Mosques... well... pretty much everywhere in America since 9/11, and I agree that it sucks. As evidenced from the above, I'll fight for your right to put your Mosque anywhere you want. But seriously... is there no room for compromise here? You had to know that the fundamentalists were going to throw their usual fit over this. So is there no room for you to meet with these people and find out if there's an acceptable ratio for them? If there's not... then fuck 'em. But if there is, then you can avoid a huge fight and ultimate black eye over this, win or lose.

One final point. One that I would like to deliver to President Obama. Mr. President... FOCUS. You don't need to put a dog in this particular fight. It's the Skip Gates beer party thing all over again. FOCUS. There are more important things for you to spend your time on. I agree with what you said, both that the Muslims are guaranteed their right to worship when and where they want like everyone else, and that you weren't going to comment on the “wisdom” of building a Mosque there, but for God's own sweet sake. There are still a lot of leaks in our ship of state left by the previous “Captain”. I mean, let's face it... if Bush was captain of our ship of state, he was pretty much Joseph Hazelwood. Even before gays in the military (an issue that I support you on), I would work on patching some of those holes. Like Bush's decree that presidential papers be sealed IN PERPETUITY. That's some shit that happens in a third-world communist banana republic. NOT the United States of America. FIX IT! Get together with the other democrats and ram a jobs bill down the throats of the republicans. (I took that turn of phrase from the republicans when they were speaking of the health care bill – isn't it amazing how often their metaphors have homosexual overtones?) Mr. President, I voted for you because I thought that you were going to be the kind of radical politician that America needs right now, and you've let me down on that. But for God's sake, quit letting yourself get distracted by the pretty sideshows and get on the with main event, would you please?

Thanks.

Peace.

Rev. Randal