A Place of Worship at Ground Zero

courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com/

I realize a few things from the onset. I realize that the news media is making a BIG deal about nothing in order to sell papers and get viewers. I realize that most intelligent individuals can see through the propaganda and are not giving anything a second thought. That being said, enough of the fire has been fanned by the disgustingly insidious, the blissfully ignorant, and the galactically stupid, that I must weigh in.

First off, Sherman, turn the Wayback Machine to 2001. September 11th. We were just attacked in a sinister and truly evil manner. Terrorists hijacked four planes, and flew them into major targets. Two hit the World Trade Center, One hit the Pentagon, and One was diverted en route to the White House and, instead, crashed into Pennsylvania. In the minds of most intelligent people, one question was prevalent: "Why?" That question, however, was squelched by people who confused understanding with "sympathizing with the enemy." We were meant not to wonder what Al Quada's motives were in planning this attack. "They hate us for our freedom." 'Nuff said.

Answering the question "Why," would have led to the answer that this fringe group of Saudis calling themselves Al Quada, objected to US presence in the Middle East beginning with our engagement in Iraq back in the '90s. It was THIS that motivated them to commit several acts of terrorism over the past decade and a half: for example, Attacking the USS Cole; the first attack on the World Trade Center; and culminating in the 9/11/01 attacks. Saudis attacking the USA, NOT Muslims attacking Christians. And... for that matter... A Saudi fringe terrorist group called Al Quada, not the nation of Saudi Arabia. What's bizarre is that this knowledge proves OUR case. The United States, because of our history of support for Israel, our participation in the Middle East peace talks, and our history in the region, good or bad, SHOULD have a military presence in the Middle East. In 2001, our presence there was not interfering with anyone. Al Quada is and always has been totally wrong and crazy, and in it for their own personal agenda.

At best it was an unfortunate side effect, (At worst, it was by design) that because we did not ask the "Why" question, in many of our collective minds, we over-generalized our attackers. Not a specific fringe group attacking the U.S. government, but rather "a bunch o'Muslims attackin' us for our Freedom." And our limited knowledge of what Islam actually entails led to fear of all things Muslim. And now, 9 years later, a Mosque being built 2 blocks from Ground Zero is making the grossly misinformed go Ape-shit.

First of all, a Mosque is a Muslim place of worship. To object to a place of peaceful worship being built ANYWHERE; be it a Church, or Synagogue, or Mosque, or Buddhist Temple, or Star Trek Museum; is ridiculous and can only be motivated by ignorance.

Second of all; no one in Al Quada is a man of God, or a spokesman for Islam. They do not speak for all Muslims; just as the Ku Klux Klan, or anyone killing doctors who perform abortions do not speak for all Christians. (And while we're on the subject, do not say to me that the Prince of Peace told you to go to war, or that the man who preached "love thy enemy" told us to hate gays, and then call ME an idiot.)

Third of all, I'm just happy that SOMETHING is being built at Ground Zero. The new world's tallest building in Dubai took, what, 4 years to build? It's been 9 years, can we get STARTED on the New WTC?

And finally, I think you'll find that the hottest furor over this supposed issue is coming from the Right. These are the same people who have been accusing our President and the top Democrats in Congress of "Throwing out the Constitution." The Fox News Crew, and Republican pundits everywhere made their point very clear: The Constitution is a sacred document that must be followed explicitly. That is, apparently, except for the First Amendment, which guarantees every American freedom of religion. They've been speaking very strongly against the 14th Amendment as well, which states that people born on American soil are American citizens. Make up your mind, or at least admit that you're full of crap. In fact, smart people everywhere, acknowledge that they're full of it and move on.

According to my findings: 8 Million Americans are Muslim. Many of them live in New York City. They were just as offended by 9/11 as the rest of us were. And, like most of us, when we visit Ground Zero, we want to pray. I say build a Church, a Synagogue, a Mosque, a Buddhist Temple, AND a Star Trek Museum right in the lobby of the new WTC, and let everyone pay homage to their individual God freely and peacefully. Rather than starting a battle between the things that separate us, how about bringing us together as a country? "Cages or Wings, which do you prefer?" (Jonathan Larson)