If I had a Time Machine I might well go back to the Planners of the Cordoba Center

[el_bryanto]

and say, "I know you are well intentioned, but this won't work the way you think it will."

I don't have a Time Machine. I can't go back to before this challange to our nations basic decency and change the direction. I (and Howard Dean and Harry Reid) have to deal with where things are right now. And where things are right now, if Dean's advice was followed it would be claimed as a victory for bigotry and narrow-mindedness. As Aziz Poonawalla puts it "if the project does fail, then I think that the message that will be sent is that bigotry and fear of Muslims is not just permitted, it is effective."

And that's why, regardless of what anybody might think about the initial wisdom of starting this project, to rail against it now or suggest that they change locations, while possibly well intentioned (I do believe Harry Reid and Howard Dean to be well intentioned), is wrong headed and plays into the hands of bigots.

Bryant

[sinkingfeeling]

1. To question the decision of this Imam's group to build the center on Park in any way is wrong. If

this project does not come to be due to the idiots in this country, then I will demand there be absolutely nothing in the way of a chapel or prayer room in any memorial built.

[el_bryanto]

4. In any way? that's overreaching. You can question anybodies decision

Part of being American.

But then again you are free to question my decision to question the decision of this Imam.

Bryant

[sinkingfeeling]

5. Of course.

[Luminous Animal]

2. "Ground Zero" is an excuse. Anti-Muslim bigotry is nationwide.

No matter how far away from "Ground Zero, Muslims face protests and hatred...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100808/ap_on_re_us/us_mosque_opposition

"In the Nashville suburb of Murfreesboro, opponents of a new Islamic center say they believe the mosque will be more than a place of prayer. They are afraid the 15-acre site that was once farmland will be turned into a terrorist training ground for Muslim militants bent on overthrowing the U.S. government.

...

In Temecula, Calif., opponents brought dogs to protest a proposed 25,000-square-foot mosque that would sit on four acres next to a Baptist church. Opponents worry it will turn the town into haven for Islamic extremists, but mosque leaders say they are peaceful and just need more room to serve members."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/22/AR2010082202895_2.html?hpid=topnews&sid=ST2010082202944

"A Time magazine poll released Thursday found that 43 percent of Americans hold unfavorable views of Muslims, far outpacing the numbers for Mormons (29 percent), Catholics (17 percent), Jews (13 percent) and Protestants (13 percent). Twenty-five percent of those polled said most Muslims in the United States are not patriotic Americans. "

[Vincardog]

3. I had a Time Machine I might well go back to the '60s and buy walmart stock then go to the

present and cash the in for a hundred million $. I would take that money and fully fund the community center, where it is and make them name it the
SUCK ON IT BIGOTS CENTER

[MrScorpio]

6. The "Mosque" only became a problem when the bigots made it one

Of course, any American has a right to their own bigoted thinking... But when we all start giving the bigots' ideas respect, we find out that they comes into conflict with people's actually rights.


The only thing counts here is the first Amendment, everyone's entitled to use it.. The Muslims who want use it to worship as they see fit and the people who are telling the Muslims that their religion is somehow a slap in the face.

[spanone]

7. this is political bullshit. rights are rights.

[el_bryanto]

8. Are you reacting to the first line or the whole paragraph? nt

[Radical Activist]

9. Not building it will embolden every asshat in any city council zoning meeting

who doesn't want "those people" coming to his neighborhood. You're absolutely right. We can't back down to bigotry.