Ground Zero. A proposed mosque (or community center, or whatever they are calling it today) two blocks away http://is.gd/eG2GN. People are FREAKING OUT. "Ground Zero is hallowed ground", some say. "They hate America", others say. And many others say far worse. (Incidentally, there's a strip club about the same distance away as the proposed mosque. http://is.gd/eG2Ew )
This is a complex issue, or so it seems on the surface when you are talking about the Muslim religion, Al-Qaeda, terrorism, and so on.
But, honestly, it's really quite simple:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.And further:
If we truly believe these things, if we are truly concerned about what is best for the country, then these have to apply to everyone, even those who don't believe these things, or want what's good for the country. We can't start saying "well, this doesn't apply in this case". Either it applies to everyone, or no one.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
That's all there really is to it. All other talk, comments, discussions, are just in the way. It's not about how "their" religion views "my" religion, it's not about what happens "in that country" run by "that religion". It's about doing the right thing right here right now in THIS country.
And I, for one, think we need to stick by the principles outlined above, whether we agree with someone's point of view and level of patriotism or not.
