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Hi to all my Forum Friends,

It has been sixteen years since my mother went home to be with the Lord; yet, her memory is still very fresh and very precious to me. It has been nine years since the Massacre at the World Trade Center; yet, the memory of lost loved ones and of lost fellow Americans is still very fresh and very precious to the families and friends of all those lost on September 11, 2001 -- and to all Americans. These memories not only should be honored, they MUST be honored -- if America is to remain the beacon of hope for the poor and persecuted of the world.

The article below is not written from a Christian's point of view; for Charles Krauthammer of the Washington Post is not a Christian believer. It is written from the point of view of a sensitive, sincere, conservative American who tells us to honor our dead and to not allow their memory to be desecrated.

Read this article, form you own opinion, and then be sure to let your elected leaders, and Mayor Bloomberg, know how you feel.

The White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Find your Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/...ion/senators_cfm.cfm

Find your Congressman: http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml

Mayor Bloomberg: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html

Please share this with ALL your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Just as we honor and protect the memory of Gettysburg, Pearl Harbor, Auschwitz, etc. -- let us continue to honor and protect the memory of those lost on September 11, 2001.

No Mosque Near Ground Zero!

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WHY A MOSQUE DOES NOT BELONG NEAR GROUND ZERO
Charles Krauthammer, The Washington Post Writers Group
Published: August 17. 2010 4:00AM PST
http://www.bendbulletin.com/ap...817/NEWS0107/8170332

A place is made sacred by a widespread belief that it was visited by the miraculous or the transcendent (Lourdes, the Temple Mount), by the presence there once of great nobility and sacrifice (Gettysburg), or by the blood of martyrs and the indescribable suffering of the innocent (Auschwitz).

When we speak of ground zero as hallowed ground, what we mean is that it belongs to those who suffered and died there — and that such ownership obliges us, the living, to preserve the dignity and memory of the place, never allowing it to be forgotten, trivialized, or misappropriated.

That’s why Disney’s early-’90s proposal to build an American history theme park near Manassas Battlefield was defeated by a broad coalition fearing vulgarization of the Civil War. (The coalition was wiser than me. At the time I obtusely saw little harm in the venture.) It’s why the commercial viewing tower built right on the border of Gettysburg was taken down by the Park Service. It’s why, while no one objects to Japanese cultural centers, the idea of putting one up at Pearl Harbor would be offensive.

And why Pope John Paul II ordered Carmelite nuns to leave the convent they had established at Auschwitz. He was in no way devaluing their heartfelt mission to pray for the souls of the dead. He was teaching them a lesson in respect: This is not your place, it belongs to others. However pure your voice, better to let silence reign.

Even New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who denounced opponents of the proposed 15-story mosque and Islamic center near ground zero as tramplers on religious freedom, asked the mosque organizers “to show some special sensitivity to the situation.”

Yet, as columnist Rich Lowry pointedly noted, the government has no business telling churches how to conduct their business, shape their message, or show “special sensitivity” to anyone about anything. Bloomberg was thereby "inadvertently" conceding the claim of those he excoriates for opposing the mosque, namely, that ground zero is indeed unlike any other place and therefore unique criteria govern what can be done there.

Bloomberg’s implication is clear: If the proposed mosque were controlled by “insensitive” Islamist radicals either excusing or celebrating 9/11, he would not support its construction.

But then, why not? By the mayor’s own expansive view of religious freedom, by what right do we dictate the message of any mosque? Moreover, as a practical matter, there’s no guarantee this couldn’t happen in the future. Religious institutions in this country are autonomous. Who is to say the mosque won’t one day hire an Anwar al-Aulaqi — spiritual mentor to the Fort Hood shooter and the Christmas Day bomber, and onetime imam at the Virginia mosque attended by two of the 9/11 terrorists?

An Aulaqi preaching in Virginia is a security problem. An Aulaqi preaching at ground zero is a sacrilege.

Location matters. Especially this location. Ground zero is the site of the greatest mass murder in American history — perpetrated by Muslims of a particular Islamist orthodoxy in whose cause they died and in whose name they killed.

Of course, that strain represents only a minority of Muslims. Islam is no more intrinsically Islamist than present-day Germany is Nazi — yet despite contemporary Germany’s innocence, no German of good will would even think of proposing a German cultural center at, say, Treblinka.

Which makes you wonder about the good will behind Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf’s proposal. This is a man who has called U.S. policy “an accessory to the crime” of 9/11 and, when recently asked whether Hamas is a terrorist organization, replied, “I’m not a politician. ... The issue of terrorism is a very complex question.”

America is a free country where you can build whatever you want — but not anywhere. That’s why we have zoning laws. No liquor store near a school, no strip malls where they offend local sensibilities, and, if your house doesn’t meet community architectural codes, you cannot build at all.

These restrictions are for reasons of aesthetics. Others are for more profound reasons of common decency and respect for the sacred. No commercial tower over Gettysburg, no convent at Auschwitz — and no mosque at ground zero.

Build it anywhere but there.

The governor of New York offered to help find land to build the mosque elsewhere. A mosque really seeking to build bridges, Rauf’s ostensible hope for the structure, would accept the offer.

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thanks for hte links, bill, but i already had them.

i've already emailed all of my congress critters and told them to make sure they didn't take any steps to prevent the mosque, because once we start denying one groups constitutional rights, it won't be long before there's antoher group, and another and another.

i told my elected officials that we MUST protect our freedom of religion by respecting and preserving theirs.
quote:
Originally posted by thenagel:
thanks for hte links, bill, but i already had them.

i've already emailed all of my congress critters and told them to make sure they didn't take any steps to prevent the mosque, because once we start denying one groups constitutional rights, it won't be long before there's antoher group, and another and another.

i told my elected officials that we MUST protect our freedom of religion by respecting and preserving theirs.


Nagel I’m sure you are on several watch lists already,

If you in fact are the radical fringe you appear to be, I’m sure the government is renewed in keeping you under surveillance.
quote:
Originally posted by buffalo:
quote:
Originally posted by thenagel:
thanks for hte links, bill, but i already had them.

i've already emailed all of my congress critters and told them to make sure they didn't take any steps to prevent the mosque, because once we start denying one groups constitutional rights, it won't be long before there's antoher group, and another and another.

i told my elected officials that we MUST protect our freedom of religion by respecting and preserving theirs.


Nagel I’m sure you are on several watch lists already,

If you in fact are the radical fringe you appear to be, I’m sure the government is renewed in keeping you under surveillance.


believing in constitutional rights makes you a fringe radical???????
quote:
Originally posted by tcf531:
quote:
Originally posted by buffalo:
quote:
Originally posted by thenagel:
thanks for hte links, bill, but i already had them.

i've already emailed all of my congress critters and told them to make sure they didn't take any steps to prevent the mosque, because once we start denying one groups constitutional rights, it won't be long before there's antoher group, and another and another.

i told my elected officials that we MUST protect our freedom of religion by respecting and preserving theirs.


Nagel I’m sure you are on several watch lists already,

If you in fact are the radical fringe you appear to be, I’m sure the government is renewed in keeping you under surveillance.


believing in constitutional rights makes you a fringe radical???????


"Lose lips sink ships" tfc. you too are on the watch list.
quote:
Originally posted by buffalo:
quote:
Originally posted by thenagel:
thanks for hte links, bill, but i already had them.

i've already emailed all of my congress critters and told them to make sure they didn't take any steps to prevent the mosque, because once we start denying one groups constitutional rights, it won't be long before there's antoher group, and another and another.

i told my elected officials that we MUST protect our freedom of religion by respecting and preserving theirs.


Nagel I’m sure you are on several watch lists already,

If you in fact are the radical fringe you appear to be, I’m sure the government is renewed in keeping you under surveillance.


buffaloo magpies,

i couldn't possibly care any less if the government is keeping me under survelience.

i have never done anything i am ashamed of, i've never done anything against the law, and i don't have any secrets.

i'm not sure exactly what your purpose was in writing that...
.. if wanting to keep myself safe by defending the constitutinoal rights of others marks me as a radical fringe, then rock n roll, baby...

i cna be fringe if it means i keep my constitutinal rights....

heh...
for that matter, i'll accept the label of radical fringe if it helps keep YOUR constitutional rights intact.
I don't understand everyone’s reaction. The building in question is not a mosque; it is a community center with a small prayer room. There is already a mosque in the community less than two hundred feet from the site of the old World Trade Center and has been located there for over ten years. There are no zoning restrictions to prevent the community center as already decided by the city zoning commission. The real reason everyone is rising up against the community center at this particular time is straight from the political posturing of fear and unrest around the two long wars against an enemy that has hijacked the Muslim Religion to justify the murder and terror they perpetuate. To let these animals we war against use our own basic rights against us and to show weakness and a lack of faith in our constitution is unconscionable and plays right into their hands. If, as some claim, the Imam founding the community center has terrist links or the funding is coming from terrorist groups; shouldn't this be an issue for Homeland Security, not a rights issue?
quote:
That’s why Disney’s early-’90s proposal to build an American history theme park near Manassas Battlefield was defeated by a broad coalition fearing vulgarization of the Civil War. (The coalition was wiser than me. At the time I obtusely saw little harm in the venture.) It’s why the commercial viewing tower built right on the border of Gettysburg was taken down by the Park Service. It’s why, while no one objects to Japanese cultural centers, the idea of putting one up at Pearl Harbor would be offensive.



Agreed on all points. I'm sure that is probably why no Mosque is being built on the grounds of Ground Zero much to the chagrin of Muslims everywhere.
quote:
Originally posted by tommy2:
I don't understand everyone’s reaction. The building in question is not a mosque; it is a community center with a small prayer room. There is already a mosque in the community less than two hundred feet from the site of the old World Trade Center and has been located there for over ten years. There are no zoning restrictions to prevent the community center as already decided by the city zoning commission. The real reason everyone is rising up against the community center at this particular time is straight from the political posturing of fear and unrest around the two long wars against an enemy that has hijacked the Muslim Religion to justify the murder and terror they perpetuate. To let these animals we war against use our own basic rights against us and to show weakness and a lack of faith in our constitution is unconscionable and plays right into their hands. If, as some claim, the Imam founding the community center has terrist links or the funding is coming from terrorist groups; shouldn't this be an issue for Homeland Security, not a rights issue?


Tommy2, you've pulled off an extremely rare feat. An indisputable post in the religion forum. You may claim today's Stop Making Sense Award. Well said indeed.
quote:
Originally posted by Jankinonya:
I want to be on the watch list too....what does it take?

I feel left out. Frowner


Jank , to qualify:

You fraternize with the enemy.

Not trust in God.

Have loose lips in the presence of potential spies regarding the positions or intent of the United States of America.

Jank you qualify. You are already on the list.
quote:
Originally posted by Jankinonya:
I think I only meet one of those criteria.

Remind me who the enemy is. Is it religion?

(((doing a little victory dance)))

I'm on the list people!! Big Grin


Jank dear,

It is hardly a thing in which one should be proud.

On a different subject:

I’m encouraged you have chosen to find me correct in the long run rather than on a whim.
quote:
Originally posted by Jankinonya:
I think I only meet one of those criteria.

Remind me who the enemy is. Is it religion?

(((doing a little victory dance)))

I'm on the list people!! Big Grin


The enemy is Them. You are most definitely on at least one watch list, more than likely many. The main criteria for most is that you have made sensible statements that are contrary to Them that are watching.

There's a secret handshake for us Listers. I'll show it to you next time I'm in town. Constant Vigilance, Jank, Constant Vigilance.
quote:
Originally posted by CrustyMac:
quote:
Originally posted by Jankinonya:
I think I only meet one of those criteria.

Remind me who the enemy is. Is it religion?

(((doing a little victory dance)))

I'm on the list people!! Big Grin




The enemy is Them. You are most definitely on at least one watch list, more than likely many. The main criteria for most is that you have made sensible statements that are contrary to Them that are watching.

There's a secret handshake for us Listers. I'll show it to you next time I'm in town. Constant Vigilance, Jank, Constant Vigilance.


Oooohhhhh I have heard of THEM.

I am steadfast and watchful Crusty. You can count on me. Big Grin

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