Just Plain Wrong

I hesitated to use "Just Plain Wrong" because it's become so trite and trendy, like "I'm so laughing" and "I'm totally...." But, I'm not in the mood to think about it--today.

What has me riled this day is the proposed mosque to be built near the WTC. C'mon. It should not be allowed to happen. Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should. What would the Japanese say about a new McDonald's to replace the Hiroshima atomic bomb memorial? For that matter, what about a Japanese memorial at Pearl Harbor?

And where are the "sensitivity people" with all this? They are the ones talking all of the time about "feelings" and "respect." How sensitive is it to build a mosque near the WTC? I know, I know, for once, they will actually cite the Constitution and its protections/provisions concerning freedom of expression--religion and speech. (Their, not "there," selective use of the Constitution reminds me of school administrators' selective use of the bargaining agreement. If it was something they wanted, the contract could be ignored. If it was something we wanted, the letter of the contract had to be followed. No, don't ask what about the union--it never wanted to make waves.) Of course the Constitution protects freedom of speech and religion. But there are zoning ordinances that could be used to prohibit the mosque at such an emotional, sensitive place. After all, I can't raise a horse in my yard. My neighbor can't open a firing range in his yard. There are local ordinances to consider. What can't a man or woman have more than one spouse? But what about the Constitutional guarantees of private property and religious freedom in these cases? Local government or the courts have, seemingly, abridged the Constitution's guarantee of personal rights. I'm not an advocate of absolute rights, not at all. I think the above restrictions are sensible and correct. I have no quarrel with them.

I think it's necessary to consider motives. Exactly why does the mosque need to be built right here? Can't brotherhood and cooperation among religions be served if the mosque is a mile or two away? What message is really being sent? How many people will read peaceful intentions in this vs a slap in the face, a flaunting of our rights? What will be the reaction of the Muslim world? Does anyone in his/her right mind think the Islamists will come to their senses and say, "Hey, those Americans are really nice people! Wow, they are letting us build a mosque right where we murdered more than 3,000 people. Hey, let's become friends with them."? Or, more likely, will their reaction be, "What fools, those Americans! They are weak, with no spine. We kill several thousand of them, throw their economy into a shambles, and yet they let us build one of our own mosques as a memorial to our attack."? Hmmm...I wonder if anyone has thought of cells being recruited and trained in these mosques. Where do you think that stuff is being done? The extremists must be laughing, "Now we can create cells right where we attacked the Americans!" Maybe, maybe not, but....

That we can do something doesn't mean we should do it. That's something for the President, mayor of NYC, and others advocating the construction of such a mosque to consider.