Ethnically Speaking by Larry Meeks

Once again, Larry is right. He is right, he is on-point, spot-on, dead-on accurate. Though he should make an exception for the United States - generations after the end of the Indian Wars, our schoolchildren are still being taught (incorrectly) about what monsters the European settlers were supposed to have been and how they victimized all those allegedly innocent native tribes...when a violent clash of civilizations (which is exactly what those wars were) is the norm rather than the exception through much of human history. Nations and peoples have always done what they needed to do in order to survive, and as Larry says, they didn't have time to sit around debating morality at the time. As to the mosque, I can't believe this issue is even controversial. It seems like even Muslims who live in America should understand why this is a sensitive issue for so many of us. This controversy represents a golden opportunity for those Muslims to demonstrate that they're serious about peace, tolerance, and mutual respect while living in a culture completely different from theirs. I especially cannot comprehend those non-Muslims who don't see the problem, who don't see why putting a 13-story victory mosque two blocks away from Ground Zero is completely unacceptable. About 70% of Americans are opposed to the project, and my only disappointment is that it isn't 100%. It's a bad idea, and nobody on the pro side has even tried to advance the claim that the mosque "needs" to be on that particular spot or given a reason why it should be. Neither has anyone even tried to claim that Muslims are somehow being muzzled or denied a right to express themselves. But if ever there were a time for bureaucratic red tape to tangle up and stonewall a building project, this is it - and I'm pretty tired of the First Amendment argument being used to advance it. This isn't a First Amendment issue, as Congress is the only governmental entity mentioned in the FA, and "free speech" has absolutely nothing to do with it. Those who tink it is, need to ask themselves a question: Would you also support a pork BBQ joint, gay bar, or strip club being put right next to the new Cordoba Mosque? (Note to the liberals here: those are all things that Muslims find offensive.) Or would you say that's intolerant, offensive, and unnecessary? Would you say that such actions are protected by the 1st Amendment, too? No, I didn't think so, you lying gaggle of hypocrites. You need to understand also that the First Amendment stands mute on the power of local and state governments to restrict where something can be constructed...especially a 13-story victory mosque with 200 yards of where body parts were found on September 11, in a building that was hit by debris from the burning airplanes. No mosque on Ground Zero or two blocks from Ground Zero or anyplace nearby. Not now, not ever.

Oh, and a pre-emptive "You're wrong, now shut up and go play somewhere else" to those members of the mouth-breathing Angry Left who post here week after week and pathetically try to rebut Meeks' comments.

Angry Matt! Angry Matt! Grrr, grr, grrrrr!!!!

Re: Matt
"Would you also support a pork BBQ joint, gay bar, or strip club being put right next to the new Cordoba Mosque?"
Apparently that's not a problem, as there are already several adult video stores and strip clubs in the vicinity. The big question is, are there are any McDonald's nearby? Lord knows how offensive they can be.

The difference between Mosques in American and Churches in Saudia Arabia is very simple-----the USA is a Republic-a Democracy-type of government. The goverment of Saudia Arabia is a Theocracy with a King on the throne. Therefore, you can not say that they have to have Churches built there. In a Theocracy, all things are run according to the accepted religion of that Theocracy. You cannot compare the two situations. It is like comparing apples to oranges.

Also, everyone is centered on the Mosque. It is first and foremost a community center to bring people of all faiths and backgrounds together in peace. It is like the YMCAs and the Jewish Community Centers, except thse two do not have a place of worship in them. This community center has places for people of ALL religions to worship. It is not just a Mosque.

I think people have gotten too jaded in their thinking.

Matt....well, currently, we have a Democratic-controlled legislature and a Democratic president. So,by your logic, we should all tell YOU to ""You're wrong, now shut up and go play somewhere else" to you, and all those members of the conservative Right who come here week after week to try to buoy the right-wing talking points; aka, Meeks' comments."
Notice I was able to say pretty much the same thing without calling you names.
And I'm not even a Christian. Are you?
(No need to answer that last question, BTW.)

As Ann Powell said, the Community Center is not just a mosque, although it includes a mosque. The Muslims supporting it have been worshipping in the community for many years. And the Community Center is not AT "ground zero", it is blocks away. The media have blown this story WAY out of proportion and people are incensed. I was, too, before I read up on the subject.

PuaHone has it - this is not AT ground zero. I personally find this whole mess a tragic setback for our country. We were founded on the concept of freedom of religious worship. To tell certain people they can't build within X blocks of a particular site flies in the face of that.
Personally I wish nothing was rebuilt at ground zero but guess what? Something will be. What's next, no Muslim's allowed to work in the new office buildings going up there?
And just so you know Johanna - I AM a Christian; we don't all share Rev. Meeks viewpoints on this issue (or many others for that matter).

Mich -- Just for the record, that question about Christianity was meant for Matt. But it's always nice to hear about a Christian that *actually* follows the teachings of Jesus. I may not be religious, but I still think that, from all biblical accounts, Jesus was a pretty brilliant guy.

Larry loves to portray himself as being so intelligent but tries to play naive about the issue of Christian zealotry in this country....past and present. Let me try to make this point as simple as possible for him and his supporters. As a Native American, I submit to you that a large majority of this country's lands were (and still are) considered "sacred ground". However, everywhere you look in this country you can find a Christian church. Do they have a right to be there? Did they ever have a right to build on Native sacred sites considering the Natives they massacred and displaced were done so in the name of Christianity? And contrary to one of Mr. Meeks earlier assertions, this IS a conquered land....ask any tribal member of any tribe in this country. The fact that he cannot fathom this as being the truth shows just how detached to reality he really is. This is not some manifesto against Christianity, as many of my relatives consider themselves Christian, but rather a condemnation of the rank hypocrisy that oozes from the pen of Mr. Meeks and those who think like him. So, before all of you "right-wing holier-than-thous" banish me to hell, realize (1) I could not care any less what you think or print about me. (2) This is my opinion, and unlike most of Mr. Meeks apparent supporters, I'm not trying to say my word is the only or final one. All I'm saying is there have been and still are Christian fanatics who are just as or more dangerous than any other fanatics. The reason they are more dangerous is because they get a free pass by folks on the right. The fact Larry doesn't want to address that issue shines the light of truth into his one-sided mindset.

@LumbeeBrave:

Outstanding post. Represent.