This part of democracy is the worrying part - where the majority have entrenched opinions based on emotion and superstition. Unfortunately reason does not always dispel hysteria and superstition.
Firstly the mosque isn't being built at Ground Zero as the thread title suggests. It is being built 2 blocks away.
Here is an article about the emotional fervour this issue is raising in NY. Stringer sounds reasonable imo
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/american-life/New-Yorkers-Divided-Over-Planned-Mosque-Near-Ground-Zero-95183039.html
Manhattan Borough president Scott Stringer is among many political and religious leaders who support Cordoba House. He was present at last week's meeting where members voted 29-to-1 in favor of the project.
"It's a non binding vote, so this was really about getting a barometer about what the lower Manhattan community wanted," said Stringer. "So what was clear was that the overwhelming majority of community board members thought that this proposal had merit. Build a cultural center. Make it interfaith. Have discussions about racial tolerance. Recognize that this is a community that took a hit after 9/11, and that we want to build it back.
He also defends himself against opponants who have attacked his decision to support the project. "There are haters. There are people from the Tea Party who attacked me and other individuals and tried to make this about bigotry and hatred," said Stringer. And the community, in giving a go-ahead, are saying, 'it's okay to explore this possibility.' And I think that is how we win the war on terrorism. We don't become like them. We're better than that." |
I think Stringer makes an important point on winning the war on terrorism.
Additionally from an economic point of view how many millions do we spend on airport security, on the war against "terror" etc. I would not be surprised if this what is part of what has brought us to the edge of bankruptcy.
One fifth of the world population are muslim. Are you going to protect yourselves from all muslims for the rest of your lives. How much is that going to cost you?
Many oppressed people from all walks of life are becoming muslims. They are looking for a peaceful calm life while they wait for justice to be done. In this respect humanity is like a wave of the sea - even if walls are built the energy invested in the wave will eventually crash over and engulf whatever is on the other side.
