The hubbub over the Islamic Community Center

[The Analyzer]

There's been much news about the Islamic Community Center two blocks from Ground zero. For one, to quote Charlie Brooker:

Millions are hopping mad over the news that a bunch of triumphalist Muslim extremists are about to build a "victory mosque" slap bang in the middle of Ground Zero.

The planned "ultra-mosque" will be a staggering 5,600ft tall – more than five times higher than the tallest building on Earth – and will be capped with an immense dome of highly-polished solid gold, carefully positioned to bounce sunlight directly toward the pavement, where it will blind pedestrians and fry small dogs. The main structure will be delimited by 600 minarets, each shaped like an upraised middle finger, and housing a powerful amplifier: when synchronised, their combined sonic might will be capable of relaying the muezzin's call to prayer at such deafening volume, it will be clearly audible in the Afghan mountains, where thousands of terrorists are poised to celebrate by running around with scarves over their faces, firing AK-47s into the sky and yelling whatever the foreign word for "victory" is.

The reactions against it are composed of Islamiphobes and racists. Don't believe the former? One organization - Probably "Stop The Islamification of American" lol are they the European Islamiphobes - backing the anti-crowd are also picketing against Islamic Community centers and mosques being made in other parts of America. Don't believe the part about racism? Two Christian Egyptians flew over to join the anti-crowd and had to be escorted out after the abuse and threats.

The Park 51 Community Center is of no threat to anybody and it seeks to correct the misinformation between the faiths. To also imply that it insults the victims of 9/11 because of the assumption that Islam = Al Qaeda anb that 1/6 of the world's population being terrorists is, well...prejudiced is the polite word.

 

[Shirubaa]

So because two groups that might not like Muslims oppose it, that means everyone who opposes it (which is the vast majority of Americans, and majority of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents in each category polled individually) is racist?

Do you actually know why people are offended by this specific project and the people involved as opposed to the numerous Mosques scattered around NYC?

 

[Keith Justice]

Here's the breakdown:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZpT2Muxoo0[/ame]

 

[The Analyzer]

The vast majority of Americans think gays shouldn't marry. Just because a majority approves or disapproves something doesn't make it right. Plus the information is filtering through prejudiced sources and the term "Ground Zero Mosque" is entirely disingenuous.

The video above is pretty on point. I sometimes disagree with what Keith Olbermann says, but on this issue, he's right on the money.

 

[Keith Justice]

So because two groups that might not like Muslims oppose it, that means everyone who opposes it (which is the vast majority of Americans, and majority of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents in each category polled individually) is racist?

Do you actually know why people are offended by this specific project and the people involved as opposed to the numerous Mosques scattered around NYC?

Is there a good reason to oppose the community center? :sly:

 

[Skiks]

The community center has like all of two floors for muslim worship. 2. To add to this you may as well call goldman sachs' floors where they allow muslim workers to worship a mosque as well.

 

[Milky Rose]

Here's the breakdown:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZpT2Muxoo0

Well said, Mr. Olbermann. *claps hands*

But really now....This is the kind of thing that gets my blood boiling. We preach about freedom and tolerance, yet when we get shaken up, we start accusing a group of people as a whole for inciting an act of "terrorism" even though those people bleed the red, white, and blue as much as anyone who lives in America.

Case point: The Japanese in World War II. Sure America was still in a racist period then, but what did Americans do after the Pearl Harbor assault? Gather up the Japanese and stick them into an internment camp so that they can't "sell out" the United States to Japan, even though a majority were American-born Japanese.

It makes me sad to think that America is willing to throw aside the principles of Freedom and tolerance for the sake of "safety", even when that means alienating a race of people who admired America for those very principles.

And come on now....Isn't Timothy McVeigh as much of a terrorist as Mohammed Atta? How is it that Peace-loving muslims get major heat for what the extremists did on 9/11?

Soo yeah. I'm getting off my soap box before I get a warning, a ban, or a combi of both. atriotic:

 

[Dami-chan]

The basic right to practice your religion includes everyone. Not "everyone except 'sand people'". It's a building, get over it. Hell if they could afford to buy the land that is "ground zero" and build there I wouldn't care. A couple nut jobs do this terrible act and we condemn everyone who shares their religion. Grow up. If that's the case I'm steering clear of Christians, you guys are the fuckin' devil.

 

[StormWatcher]

Issues like these are why I hate Americans. Why do they have to get so up in arms over stupid **** like this?

 

[angelicnoir]

To disallow or oppose this building to be built, on grounds other than legal, is not specifically racist, it is intolerant.

I'll admit; that little clip of Olbermann made me tear up a bit. I don't think I've seen a newscaster be this passionate about the dangers of intolerance. It's incredibly relieving, especially now.

When I heard about all the hoopla over Park 51, it honestly made me a little scared that another rally for anti-Islamic views will fill the airwaves.

Seeing something like Olbermann's commentary and the commentary of other sites, blogs, I've found over the Internet and reading the news makes me feel a little better that there are some people who recognize the dangers of letting intolerance, no matter how small, run rampant.