Why do we have this controversy in a country that supposedly prides itself on religious freedom and the separation of religion government? I have developed my own theory, but before I go on let me give you the facts.
There is a prominent strip club closer to Ground Zero, and no one has said a word. An agreement with New York City's interfaith council had long approved of the idea. The Lower Manhattan zoning commission had long approved the project. Many New Yorkers, including survivors and victims of the tragedy, could have cared less since mosques, synagogues and all types of faith are everywhere throughout the city.
It wasn't until a certain group who opposed the idea joined forces with different factions of the Tea party movement and other ultra-conservative groups pressed the media into reporting the opposition and forced folks to take sides. There is a Mosque at the Pentagon and during the week days, Muslims not only pray there, but they pray just less than hundred feet away from the restored wall where the fourth plane crashed into the Pentagon. According to a Washington Post article, people worship there without objection.
There is not only a Mosque at the Pentagon but I know larger bases, whether the Air Force, Army, Marines, or Navy, have some kind of a place designated for Muslims to practice their faith.
The new building in New York will not be a mosque in the sense most people think of it, but again an Islamic cultural center/recreational facility open to everyone in the same lines as the Jewish center about mile and a half away. If you want to have something to fume over then think about the fact there has yet to be a memorial erected at the site.
Now why such a diversion now, when this was a done deal? If you have really been paying close attention, every time the President is either about to achieve another campaign promise or have success in implementing his agenda no matter what the opposition does, they will find a "wedge issue" just to downplay his success.
In my opinion, these are the reasons for the controversy:
• Mid-term Congressional elections are less than 90 days away
• Even though the president won by over 3 million votes, any type of detractor could persuade the disgruntled that did not vote for him.
• People from the airwaves, in print, on the blogs, in protest on the daily political news programs, from Rush Limbaugh to Newt Gingrich want to see this President FAIL. They said it, I heard them, I read it, and I've seen it. Disagreeing with policy is one thing, but to honestly see him fail is another. Who is really the extremist?
In case you didn't notice, the people who would worship at these Mosques are Americans. They probably voted and have just as much say so as you do. This has nothing to do with a country across the ocean...this is about people who live IN AMERICA being allowed the same freedoms as "Christians." Such small minded thinking is what is wrong with Winona in general.
What is wrong with this picture?
The American Government has become comprised of spineless jellyfish who no longer look out for the interests of the people they were elected to represent, but instead try to play nice with a country who—honestly—think the world would be better off without America.
Mr. Knox, I am appalled that you actually defend this decision simply because Conservatives oppose it. It’s not about partisanship. It’s about citizenship, and as a citizen of the United States, you should seek to protect the interests of your fellow citizens. They may have every right to build a mosque. But is it the right thing to do?